MSheinberg

Has anyone been to this Idaho park recently? Where did you stay while there? It looks like Arco is the closest town and the motels there do not look very nice. Any comments? Going in May on the way to Yellowstone from Moab.

christy1

I've been there a number of times for work. I stay in Ketchum, which is an hour away, but it's a great town. Arco is a tiny town that has a couple little motels, but little in the way of decent food. If you're heading to Moab, I'm guessing you'll continue west past Craters, and turn south on Hwy 75. If so, Ketchum's not really that far out of your way. Hailey is also a cute town with a few motels, and a bit closer.

MSheinberg

Christy, thanks for the info. Where do you reccommend we stay in Hailey? it is about 63 miles from Craters NP. From Moab to Craters is just at 500 miles. We might be able to get to the park late afternoon spend an hour or two, go to Hailey for the night then back to the park for the day. It is then 230 miles to Yellowstone. What do you think? I am concerned about staying in Arco.

christy1

I've never stayed in Hailey, so I don't have a specific recommendation--I've just driven through on the way to Ketchum, and it's a relatively cute town that is a much better choice than Arco.

But geez, but I wouldn't backtrack like that. First, and I kind of hate to say this, but it's hard to spend very much time at Craters. I don't think it's worth driving there from Moab, driving BACK to Hailey/Ketchum, then driving back again to Craters (also, it's a boring drive between Hailey and Craters). I'd just drive up to the Ketchum area from Moab and stay the night, then, the next day go to Craters. If you want to sightsee that first afternoon, there's plenty to see and do around Ketchum (if you've never driven on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway north of Ketchum the 29 miles to Galena Pass, and possibly down into the valley of the headwaters of the Salmon River, do it! It's gorgeous). Ketchum is quite an outdoory/tourist center so there is lots to do there. And the town is quite nice--there's a great paved walking/bike trail along the river, good restaurants, etc.

katyslc

Hi, MSheinberg -- I have to agree with Christy; you can easily experience Craters of the Moon in a few hours on your way from Hailey/Ketchum on your way to Yellowstone. I also second her suggestion to stay in the Wood River Valley area (Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley) instead of Arco. I think this part of Idaho is hugely unappreciated on this forum -- it is absolutely fabulous in summer and winter, but its remoteness probably contributes to that. I would suggest staying in Ketchum (only 16 miles from Hailey....tons of lodging options, google Ketchum/Sun Valley logding and you'll see. Also kiiller restaurants!)

My thought is that it's a VERY long drive from Moab up to this area in one day (4 hrs to Salt Lake, 4 1/2 - 5 hrs to Ketchum). I would break up the drive in Salt Lake or Park City.

kmoo920

You could visit Sun Valley/Hailey first! A walk down the halls of the Sun Valley Lodge is a trip down movie star lane. Pictures of lots of movie stars in their prime It is a great place to have lunch with less expensive places on site - Konditerai is a great one. Drive through Craters of the Moon on the way to Idaho Falls. There will lots of places there. Hailey/Sun Valley is expensive. There are Best Westerns in both towns, Ketchum and Idaho Falls - they are easy to book on line. (Ketchum is the town between Hailey and Sun Valley)

MSheinberg

Good job folks. Actually, our main destination is Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP with a day or two in Jackson Hole after the park. Our first stop is Guadalupe Mountains National Park, then to Taos, Moab, Craters then Yellowstone, etc.

Taos because we have been to Santa Fe. Moab to hike Delicate Arch which we did not do on our last trip to Aches NP. Craters because it is on the way to Yellowstone although we have been to Sunset Crater National Monument near Flagstaff on a trip to the Grand Canyon a few years ago. I have actually thought that maybe we should skip Craters of the Moon since it might be just like Sunset Crater. Your thoughts if you have been to Sunset.

Thanks again.

christy1

I've never been to Sunset. But, since Craters is on the way to Yellowstone, you could easily just stop off at the visitor center (which is right off the highway) and see if it looks worth your time. Frankly most people do the 7 mile scenic loop drive and that's it; they might stop at one of the pullouts and take a nature trail to a volcanic feature. Most people spend all of an hour or two there.

tuttidirezioni

Well I disagree completely with what is being said about Craters of the Moon. It is a spectacular, otherworldly place. If you can't walk, that's fine to just do the loop drive, but otherwise you are really missing out. There are numerous trails with some really cool sites that you will never see from the road. There are caves that were former lava tubes. Sunrise and sunset are spectacular. Not much plant life, but some beautiful lichen formations on the rock. Hawks and a variety of other birds can be seen. And you if you are into geology, you can see a variety of different lava formations and volcanic features. Our National Parks are best seen up close and personal--not from the seat of a car. Most of the trails are easy access, some involve a little work on the rocks, so bring some sturdy shoes if you decide to do that. It's just such a different experience than doing a drive by.

The D-K Motel in Arco is clean & decent. I stayed at one of the other places because DK was booked....and wished I hadn't. There are a few decent places to eat--Pickle's Place, and a steakhouse whose name escapes me. This isn't a place to go for haute cuisine, it's a small town, quirky, with a few decent restaurants. So it depends what you want. I've never been to Ketchum, I've heard it's great. I've been to Jackson Hole which is fun, has gourmet food, and is very touristy. But if you want to visit an incredible National Park as part of your journeys, nothing wrong with staying in Arco--so long as DK has a room.
P.S. you might want to consider Theodore Roosevelt National Park on the Western Edge of N. Dakota. Not crowded like Yellowstone, spectacular scenery & tons of wildlife.

Lois_Edwards

I fully agree with tuttidirezioni. I've been to Craters of the Moon several times and I'd love to go back. It is otherworldly. I hiked many trails and went down into the lava tubes. I went as near to the spatter cones as possible. It is amazing. Do wear strong shoes and be prepared for the soles to get a little cut up by the lava. Go and enjoy.

bigtyke

Craters is nothing like Sunset Crater.

Walk thru several of the lava tubes.