Craters of the Moon National Monument
Truly dark sky, with the zodiacal light clearly visible.
Craters of the Moon preserves one of the most otherworldly landscapes in North America, a vast lava field covering more than 750,000 acres of the Snake River Plain. The monument is certified by DarkSky International and the black lava absorbs rather than reflects light, keeping ground-level scatter low. The alien terrain at night, all twisted lava flows and cinder cones under a dark sky, earns the name. The Snake River Plain has minimal surrounding development and the skies show it.
What's here
On the map
What to bring
Our picks for a good night under the stars.
Some links in this section are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby in Idaho
Bruneau Dunes State Park
Tallest single dune in North America, with a public observatory.
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
First U.S. dark sky reserve in the Sawtooth high country.
City of Rocks National Reserve
Granite spires and dark skies on the old California Trail.