Craters of the Moon / Arco KOA

The Great Outdoors

You’ll be very close to the Craters of the Moon National Monument when you are camping at the Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA. The Craters of the Moon Lava Field was formed over thousands of years as lava erupted from the Great Rift. It has been designated an International Dark Sky Park. You can observe the diverse ecosystems of the park, explore lava tube caves, and hike the trail system. Daily activities include hikes, patio talks, cave walks, and evening strolls. Junior Ranger programs, astronomy programs, and evening activities are held throughout the year. The Robert Limbert Visitor Center offers exhibits, films, vending machines, and restrooms. It also has the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association Bookstore. Cell reception is limited.Sawtooth National Forest is a working national forest that you can visit when you are RV camping at Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA. It includes the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, the Rock Creek Complex, the Ketchum Area Trails, Mount Harrison, Redfish Lake, the White Fork and East Fork Ranges, and Stanley Basin and Sawtooth Valley. Wildlife in the park includes elk, wolves, beavers, woodpeckers, mountain goats, black bears, cougars, and moose. Enjoy outdoor recreational activities, including biking, climbing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, nature viewing, picnicking, and rock and mineral collecting. Visitors can also take in the sights on scenic drives throughout the park, and numerous water sports and winter sports are also popular activities here, depending on the season. Ranger programs and interpretive exhibits are held throughout the year. A virtual tour and visitors’ guide are available for download.Yellowstone National Park is known around the world for its geothermal geysers, and you can take some time to explore with your Arco camper rental. All kinds of birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals make their homes in this park. Recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, and nature viewing and photography. Ranger programs for all ages and guided tours are available throughout the year. There are plenty of picnic areas and restaurants ranging from sit-down dinners to cafeterias and canteens, snack shops, ice cream counters, coffee counters, and bars. Yellowstone Forever operates bookstores featuring publications and educational materials as well as gifts and souvenirs.

Exploring the Area

Pocatello is the county seat and largest city in Butte County. If you’re looking for the big-city experience when you are RV camping at Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA, this is likely where you’ll be headed. See the Chief Pocatello statue and historic buildings including the Standrod Mansion and the Veterans’ Memorial Building. Museums of interest include the Bannock County Historical Museum, the Fort Hall Replica and Museum, the Museum of Clean Pocatello, and the Shoshone Bannock Tribal Museum. You can also visit the Pocatello Arts Center, participate in First Friday Art Walks, or take in a performance at the L.E. & Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center. Special events that take place here every year include Food Fest, Atomic Days, and an End of Summer Bash. Make sure to check out Visit Pocatello and the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce for updated information on area businesses, attractions, and events.Idaho is known as the Gem State, and for good reason. There are many sites on public lands where you can search for petrified wood, minerals, and rough gemstones. Nearly 300 mineral species, including smoky quartz, pyrite, topaz, barite, garnet, epidote, and zeolites, are known to occur here. You can also mine for semi-precious stones such as agate, jasper, jade, topaz, zircon, tourmaline, and fire opals at various sites. The Emerald Creek area is one of only two in the world where the star garnet can be found. The Idaho Department of Lands publishes gemstone and rock information.Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA has a snack bar that you can take advantage of when you camp in an RV near Arco. Belgian waffles and coffee are offered in the mornings. In the evening, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken can be delivered directly to your campsite. You’ll also be able to enjoy fresh food cooked to order at any of the town’s local, independent eating places. Choose from burgers, pizza, diner food, and country cooking. You will also probably need to refill your tank while you are here and there are plenty of service stations, convenience stores, and truck stops where you will be able to find either gasoline or diesel fuel easily.