Craters of the Moon National Wilderness

Craters of the Moon National Wilderness
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
Location	Butte / Blaine counties, Idaho, USA
Nearest city	Pocatello, ID
Coordinates
Area	43,243 acres (175 km2)
Established	1970
Governing body	National Park Service

The Craters of the Moon National Wilderness is located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The wilderness is managed by the National Park Service and is integral with Craters of the Moon National Monument. Set aside to protect volcanic features which ended 2,100 years ago, the wilderness has numerous lava flows, cinder cones and moon-like craters. The region was utilized by NASA to help prepare astronauts for moon walks as they believed that the region would provide a similar setting to what astronauts could expect to see on the moon.

U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles. Although camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act. Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas also allow hunting in season. No hunting is permitted in this wilderness.

See also

• List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
• Wilderness Act