Arco

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Top Adventures in Arco

Hike the Craters of the Moon's Lava Tubes

Craters of the Moon National Monument in Southern Idaho is a vast ocean of lava flows, with scattered islands of cinder and splatter cones created by volcanic activity 15,000 years ago. Over 618 square miles, this surreal field displays the strang...

1.6 miles

Bike the Loop Road at Craters of the Moon National Monument

Biking Crater of the Moon National Monument's seven mile loop road provides an intimate experience through a wild landscape.Park at the Visitor's Center. Grab a map and check out the interactive display explaining how Craters of the Moon was forme...

7 miles 500 ft gain

Backcountry Ski on a Cinder Cone at Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument is 1100 square miles of basalt lava and sagebrush. It looks like another planet: desolate in macro, beautiful in micro. Craters is most popular in the summer, when visitors from nearby Sun Valley arrive to hik...

2 miles 500 ft gain

Hike the Inferno Cone

To reach the parking lot at the Inferno Cone Trailhead enter the Craters of the Moon National Monument at the main entrance on the north side of the park off US Highway 26 and go approximately 1.5 miles on the 17 miles Loop Road. There will be cle...

1 miles 500 ft gain

Hike the Tree Molds Trail

The trail starts at the parking lot with bathrooms, bike rack and picnic table at the trailhead. Trailhead coordinates (43°25'40.5"N 113°32'55.3"W)It winds its way along a pretty flat and straight path through desert pine forest along the edge of ...

2 miles 100 ft gain

Hike to the Shay Trestle

Mine Hill Tour is a self-guided driving tour focused on Mackay's mining history. Stops showcase artifacts of the once-vibrant towns that housed miners and their families.Much of the tour is available to passenger vehicles. Begin by picking up a Mi...

2 miles 200 ft gain

Hike to Bear Creek Lake

The trailhead starts at the end of an old jeep trail. If you are brave with your 4 wheel drive you can drive to here and cut 1.4 miles off your hike. My mile counting started at the trail head. The trail is very well marked. At about 0.3 miles it ...

6 miles 1600 ft gain

Hike to Indian Tunnel at Craters of the Moon

Indian Cave is the largest cave or tube, measuring 30 feet tall and 800 feet long with several massive skylights. The skylights provide so much sunlight, a flashlight isn’t necessary, but is helpful in some areas. In order to enter the caves y...

1.6 miles 75 ft gain

Hike to Lower Cedar Springs

This is one of the easiest, yet scenically rewarding, hikes in the Lost River Range. Traveling only 1.2 miles (3.4 miles round trip) with an elevation gain of about 200 ft. You travel in a canyon surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Idah...

3.4 miles 200 ft gain

Hike Mount McCaleb

Mt. McCaleb's beautiful south face towers over the little town of Mackay, Idaho. The domineering peak is seen from US-93 just waiting to be climbed. It's a part of the Lost River Range, which boasts seven of Idaho's nine 12K-foot peaks; at 11,682 ...

4 miles 3500 ft gain

Climb Mt. Breitenbach

Directions to the "trailhead": From Mackay, Idaho take Highway 93, approximately 2 miles past Mackay reservoir, turn right on Upper Cedar Creek road (FS rd 127). Follow this road straight toward the mountains. There will be a number of cattle gate...

8 miles 4600 ft gain

Hike to Johnstone Pass

Johnstone Pass is a diamond in a valley flush with hidden gems.Turn east onto East Fork Big Wood River Road from Highway 75. Continue through the defunct mining town of Triumph where the road turns to dirt and becomes Forest Service Road 118. At t...

5.4 miles 2200 ft gain

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Nearby camping, hotels, and more

Arco, Idaho

Craters of the Moon / Arco KOA
Moore, Idaho

Craters Of The Moon Group Campground

Overview This secluded camping area at Craters of the Moon National Monument is the perfect spot for organized groups. It is available by reservation only for groups of up to 30 people (May-Septemb...
Mackay, Idaho

Loristica Group Campground

Overview Loristica Group Campground is located in a wooded meadow high in the Lost Creek Range, in eastern Idaho. It sits at an elevation of 8,100 feet. Visitors come to the area for its great trai...
Mackay, Idaho

Copper Basin Guard Station

Overview Copper Basin Guard Station is located in Copper Basin, a rugged and beautiful area in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho. Recreation Copper Basin offers many recreational opport...