Photos by Cheryl Landes

The Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve near Arco, Idaho, is a surreal landscape of black lava rock, cinder cones, and gray sagebrush. The rock and cinder cones are the remnants of a volcanic eruption more than 2,000 years ago.

You can see many signs of the aftermath on a drive through the national monument. There are several pullouts and parking areas, where you can hike trails for closer looks at the geology and plant life.

The Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is located 170 miles southeast of Boise. Services are limited in this remote area, so carry plenty of water and snacks, and make sure you have a full tank of gas.