Craters of the Moon is easily one of the most famous attractions in Idaho. It’s bizarre landscape is unlike anything you’ve seen before, which makes it a popular place to visit. Most people have definitely heard of this park before. However, there are several fascinating things about it that have flown under the radar. How many do you know?
1. Craters of the Moon is one of only four national parks in the Gem State. It was proclaimed a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge on May 2, 1924.
2. Many people are unaware of the massive size of the park itself. It is comprised of over 750,000 acres, which is approximately the size of Rhode Island!
4. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes and watch your step. The monument lies along the deepest open rift crack in the world, which drops to an incredible 800 feet.
6. The Yellowstone Hotspot (a hotspot known for causing large scale volcanic activity in the West) was underneath Craters of the Moon around 8 million years ago. This is one of the few hotspots that lie underneath the North American tectonic plate.
7. A variety of plants and animals actually live and thrive in the park. However, they had to adapt to the unusual terrain. Plants may grow roots up to 20 feet long to reach water underneath the volcanic surface and some animals, such as marmots, hibernate in both summer and winter.
10. In 1969, a group of astronauts visited Craters of the Moon and studied the unusual and harsh environment. This research helped them become the second group to walk on the actual moon.
