The National Park Service (NPS) has reopened a portion of the Loop Road and the east loop of the Lava Flow Campground at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in southern Idaho to motor vehicles following the removal of winter snow and ice.
The decision comes as conditions have improved enough to allow safe motor vehicle access from the Visitor Center to the North Crater Flow Trail. The east loop of the campground is now open for camping, providing early-season access to visitors.
According to the NPS, the remainder of the seven-mile Loop Road and additional loops of the campground are still accessible for walking and biking. Some areas will experience temporary closures during active snow and ice removal operations to ensure the safety of both visitors and NPS personnel.
The Loop Road and campground are closed to motor vehicles annually from late fall through late spring due to hazardous winter conditions. While closed to vehicles, these areas remain open for non-motorized recreation, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, walking, and biking.
Tent camping is also permitted during the motor vehicle closure period with a required backcountry permit.
As weather conditions shift during the spring-to-summer transition, the park advises visitors to stay informed about road and campground status. Changes may occur frequently as snow continues to melt and crews complete clearing efforts.
“Visitors are encouraged to check the Craters of the Moon website at nps.gov for the status of the Loop Road, Lava Flow Campground, and other areas as conditions will change over the next few weeks during the transition from spring to summer,” NPS said in a press release.