ARCO, ID THINGS TO DO

Craters of the Moon National Monument, which is over 750,000 acres, has a gorgeous landscape you won’t want to miss. You’ll feel like you’re walking on the moon as you explore the various rock formations, plants, caves and craters. Enjoy learning about volcanic rocks and how park managers discovered them as you walk along the monument’s trails. Or you can meet with the park rangers who are more than willing to share with you and your kids information about the area. While the drive takes you to the middle of nowhere, the day trip to this monument is worth it.
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Try your hand at catching bull, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout when visiting the Little Lost River. Some people are unsure how the bull trout got to the Little Lost River, but fishers love having them there nonetheless. The river is great during any season, with the river potentially freezing in the winter. You may even see some cows grazing as you try to catch that big one on the water! To get to the river, head to Little Lost River Highway (ID-33), and you’ll see the river moving along with the cars at one point.
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Climb to the top of Big Southern Butte, and you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views there. Spot the various kinds of trees in the area, like lodgepole pine, aspen and manzanita. Or see if you can find the small desert animals scurrying between the brush. The 300,000-year-old butte is one of the largest domes in Idaho. Hiking to the top can take a couple hours, so make sure to bring enough water and sunscreen. You can reach Big Southern Butte by driving onto a one-lane road, so beware of oncoming traffic if you’re trying to pass somebody.
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Whether you are looking for a day trip or a week long adventure there is no place like scenic Idaho to do this! Our state has some of the most diverse landscape in the country ranging from sage-covered deserts to majestic mountain peaks and thick pine forests. The Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway is a 140 mile stretch of highway where you can experience this diversity in less than a day.
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