Craters of the Moon Lava Tube Caves

The park has four main caves open for exploration: Dewdrop, Boy Scout, Arco Tunnel, and Buffalo Caves. Bring three sources of light per person — the park rangers aren’t kidding about this requirement. The tubes stay around 40°F year-round, so pack layers even in summer. Dewdrop Cave is the easiest, while Buffalo requires some serious crawling through tight spaces.

Access is off the main scenic drive on paved roads. The caves close November through March due to bat hibernation. Summer temps on the black lava surface can hit 140°F, making early morning or late afternoon the smart play. The landscape looks exactly like the moon — NASA actually trained Apollo astronauts here. Hard hats aren’t required but knee pads are smart for the tighter tubes.

Underground lava tube cave system