Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve · Idaho

Wilderness Trail

4.4 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Tree Molds Trail: 2 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 50 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 5,588 ft–5,844 ft · trail class Moderately Developed · hiking · seasonal

5,829 ft 5,604 ft · 4.3 mi high 5,843 ft

Hike the Tree Molds Trail 2 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

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

Start Tree Molds Trailhead

dark rock featuring the impression of two fallen tree trunks
Hikers can get up close to the impressions of fallen trees on the Tree Molds Trail. Photo: NPS Photo

Length: 2 mi (3.2 km) round-trip

Elevation gain: 108 ft (33 m)

This trail winds through shrubs and stands of limber pine within the Craters of the Moon Wilderness before reaching the edge of the Blue Dragon Flow. While still molten, this lava flow knocked down and ignited trees. The charred tree trunks left impressions in the lava rock. In other places, the trees remained standing as the lava encased them, leaving vertical molds in the cooling lava.

The tree molds can be seen at the end of the trail, one mile from the trailhead.

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: 2 miles (3.2 km) round-trip to 1st group of tree molds CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 108 ft (33 m), loss 147 ft (45 m) TYPICAL GRADE: 3° (5.1%) 20% of trail is from 4.5° to 14° (8% to 25%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%) TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 2.5° (4%) 36% of trail is from 4.5° to 10° (8% to 18%) TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 44 in (113 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 17 in (43 cm) TRAIL SURFACE: Asphalt and gravel-like cinders 10% of trail is PAVED, 90% of trail is cinder OBSTRUCTIONS: ROCKS to 5 inches WARNING: Trail measurements end after one mile at the marked tree molds. After that point, expect rocks, ruts, and steps of varying sizes. 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.