Arco, Idaho and Craters of the Moon

Arco, Idaho and Craters of the Moon National Monument


We packed up and headed out from Flatrock Campground in the Targhee NF on Monday morning by 9 AM. We had 150 miles to travel southwest to Arco, Idaho -first Atomic Powered City and Craters of the Moon Arco KOA. The drive took us down Idaho 20 and then onto Idaho 33 right into Arco. Along the way we transitioned to high desert, with little but sage and flat terrain for the majority of the trip,

Arco is out in the Snake River Plain - only flat area in the region!

a tradition since 1920 - High School Grads paint their year on mountainside at Arco

our site at Arco KOA - nice shade trees, good location

Our first night in town we drove around a bit, ate at a local restaurant - Pickle's, We saved room of for desert. The KOA has an Ice Cream Social at 6:30 -what's not to like about free ice cream? Then we settled in with dog walks, starting this BLOG on the complimentary Wifi and reading.

The next morning we were up and out the door shortly after 8 AM to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument. Created in 1924, it is a 750,000 acre moonscape of lava flows, volcanic cones and basalt. We hiked to the top of Inferno Cone with an Interpretive Ranger, went inside a small crater in two Spatter Cones and walked a half mile over lava flows to hike through a Lava Tube - Indian Tunnel.

asphalt path takes you out to Indian Tunnel - Lava tube

Of course the Visitors Center was checked out and viewed the various videos. This is a very different and "weird" place. Not on the way to anywhere, but if you can, check it out. You need about 3 hours to do what we did.

Cindy inside the cone of a "Spatter Cone" - Craters of the Moon NM

view from lava field towards Inferno Cone - we climbed the 600' to the top -WOW!

view from inside a lava tube - Indian Tunnel - CMNM

Returning to  the KOA, we spent the remainder of the day reading, blogging, exercising CJ at the dog park ( right across from our campsite!) and grocery shopping. I picked up a few items not normally on our diet for celebrating the 4th of July. Hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, Huckleberry Twisted Tea etc. On the morning of the 4th, we arose to a much calmer day ( the winds had been blowing at a constant 20-25 mph force since we arrived. The temps were in the lower 70's and sunny and I took advantage to get in a Jeep oil and filter change at a lot outside the KOA grounds ( I spread out a tarp under the  vehicle to avoid spillage). Cindy took advantage of the laundry facilities at KOA at the same time and by 10 AM we were both done with our chores and ready to attend to Arco 4th of July Parade at 11 AM. We had a half mile drive to the start of the parade at the town park and we arrived in time  to get a shady spot. This was nicely done and attended for a town of a population of less than 1000 people.

old vehicles are always a favorite

this is ranching country

on the whimsical side

Happy Birthday America!!

CJ had a rough time the night before with some firecrackers. They really disturb him. So, we took some preemptive measures to be ready for the big fireworks event put on at the numbers mountain on the 4th. First and foremost, I took a nap. Seriously, the fireworks start at 10:30 PM and we knew CJ was not going to be resting quietly til after they concluded. May as well be rested to stay up later than normal. Secondly, we gave him lots of time chasing ball in the dog park, right up until 9:30 PM to tire him out. We also threw in a couple extra walks around the campground. 

Late afternoon, we decided to go try to find one of the remaining sections of the Oregon Trail that ran through the Arco area. It sook some doing, but we did manage to find a section and you can see the wheel ruts from the 1850s as they pass by the edge of the Craters of the Moon lava flow about 5.7 miles SW of the visitor's center. cool stuff.

love the history you find throughout the country!

Oregon Trail Goodale's Cutoff goes right through here, look just above and to right of center to see the tracks!

After supper, we settled in and waited for the fireworks.  Around 9:30. we went into the RV, and I popped in "The Patriot" Suitable July 4th viewing. This provided entertainment and some white noise foe CJ. Some, but not enough. He we still not able to relax until after things quieted down sometime after 11 PM. The fire works were visible from our campsite which was a treat and for the  size of the community, they put on a respectable show! Thanks Arco!!

Our last day in Arco found us rising a bit later (remember we stayed up way past our normal bedtime to watch fireworks, etc) and we drove South on US 20 to EBR--1, the nations fire nuclear reactor. It was here that atomic power was first used to generate electricity back in the early 1950"s. A guided tour is available, however I opted for the  self guided tour which met my needs. Neat stuff.

First Nuclear Reactor - 20 miles South of Arco Idaho!

turbine and generator at EBR-1 powered 4 lights!

Returning to Arco, we stopped at the Post Office to mail some post cards, dropped off the drain oil from the Jeep and took Cooper and CJ to the KOA Dog Wash!! Very nice room, special equipment which greatly  helped in washing the dogs and for a minimal price! Both dogs then spent the next few hours drying off by lying outside in the shade by the RV.

very nicely equipped dog wash - Arco KOA

Cooper drying off after his bath!

This area is probably usually only seen by those passing through on their way elsewhere. however, if you can, plan on a full day to check out the few things we mentioned here. 

We are heading out of Idaho shortly and have really enjoyed our stay here the past weeks.

more to come

until then

take care


Cooper and CJ