Butte County

A volcanic wasteland in southern Idaho, where the volcanic landscapes of Craters of the Moon and nuclear energy historic sites form a unique scenery.

Butte County is located in the Snake River Plain of southeastern Idaho, USA, with a sparse population, and contains part of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The loop road offers views of Inferno Cone, Spatter Cones, North Crater Flow, and Devil's Orchard, and lava tubes like Indian Tunnel can be explored inside (cave permit required); the county seat of Arco is famous for Number Hill, and the nearby Experimental Breeder Reactor-I Atomic Museum tells the history of nuclear energy development. Late spring to early autumn is the most suitable time, as daytime ground temperatures are extremely hot in summer, and the loop road is closed in winter. Visitors usually drive from Idaho Falls.

Destinations

• Craters of the Moon

Itineraries

• Salt Lake City, Grand Teton and Yellowstone Loop – From Salt Lake City, drive through Grand Teton and across Yellowstone, then return via Craters of the Moon in Idaho.