Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve · Idaho

Broken Top Loop Trail

0.5 mi of trail, end to end · Hike Broken Top Loop: 1.8 mi loop in the Service's write-up · about 10 ft of climbing · 150 ft of descent · 5,828 ft–5,956 ft · trail class Developed · hiking · seasonal

5,946 ft 5,828 ft · 0.4 mi high 5,956 ft

Hike Broken Top Loop 1.8 mi loop · the Park Service's write-up

60-90 Minutes · no dogs · Spring, Summer, Fall

Start Tree Molds Parking Area

A narrow road winds through a volcanic landscape to a small parking area.
The Tree Molds trailhead serves the Tree Molds Trail, Broken Top Loop, and the Wilderness Trail.

Trail Length: 1.8 mi (3 km) Loop

Elevation gain: 242 ft (74 m)

The Broken Top Loop Trail is one of the most outstanding trails within Craters of the Moon. You can observe nearly every type of volcanic feature characteristic of the basaltic eruptions that created this unearthly landscape. This trail also provides access to the Wilderness Trail.

The Broken Top Loop Hiking Guide lets you learn about this amazing area on your hike and is available at the trailhead or from the visitor center bookstore managed by the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association.

Pets Pets are not allowed on any trails or in caves. Lava rocks are rough and jagged. The surface of the dark rocks can reach 150°F (65°C) or more in the summer and quickly burns paws. Pets should never be left unattended in vehicles or the campground. Parking areas do not have shade and air temperatures can exceed 90°F (32°C) in the middle of summer.

Accessibility TRAIL LENGTH: 1.8 miles (3 km) loop CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: Gain 242 ft (74 m), loss 197 ft (60 m) TYPICAL GRADE: 3° (4.8%) 23% of trail is from 4.5° to 32° (8% to 62%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%) TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 1° (2.3%) 12% of trail is from 4.5° to 16° (8% to 29%) TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 49 in (124 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 18 in (46 cm) TRAIL SURFACE: Gravel-like cinders and lava 74% of trail is FIRM, 26% of trail is HARD or PAVED OBSTRUCTIONS: ROCKS to 12 inches, RUTS to 10 inches, STEPS to 20 inches WARNING: Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include downed trees and rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 17 trails in Craters Of The Moon National Monument & PreserveFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.