Arco in Butte County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Just Down The Road

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 26, 2009

1. Just Down The Road Marker

Inscription. The Strangest 75 square miles on the North American continent
-Comment from an early traveler.

The landscape before you was explosively created by volcanic eruptions. Cracks in the earth’s crest allowed lava to blast, plop, and flow onto the surface to form such unusual features as cinder cones, monoliths, and caves. The entrance to this imposing place, known today as the Craters of the Moon National Monument, is just down the road. Stop at the visitor center to see the exhibits, then take the seven-mile loop drive through the monument. Craters of the Moon offers a variety of experiences for those who want to explore this unusual ocean of black rock. (Inscription in the photo) The moon-like landscape includes monoliths, cinder cones, and seasonal wild flowers.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment.

Location. 43° 27.813′ N, 113° 33.593′ W. Marker is in Arco, Idaho, in Butte County. It is on U.S. 20. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arco ID 83213, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Idaho — Sawtooth Range

and in Eastern Idaho and the Yellowstone Fringe.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Get over it! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vanishing Landmark

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Where's the Volcano? (approx. ¼ mile away); North Crater Flow Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Crater Lava Flow (approx. 0.4 miles away); Devil's Orchard Trail (approx. 1.4 miles away); Are We Loving Them to Death? (approx. 1½ miles away); Silent Cone (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arco.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 26, 2009

2. Lava Beds

Sign at the Entrance to the Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 26, 2009

3. Sign at the Entrance to the Park

Just Down The Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 26, 2009

4. Just Down The Road

Photo showing the landscape at the entrance to the park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 969 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.