618 square miles of magma. That is the size of the lava field at Craters of the Moon National Park in south-central Idaho. Large enough that it stretches as far as the eye can see in some spots, giving the impression of a barren, black world.
The entire field isn’t just one lava flow, but 60. At least 25 different volcanoes contributed to its construction some 15,000 to 2,000 years ago – a mere blink of an eye in geologic terms.
Visitors climb Inferno Cone, the remnants of a now dormant volcano.
![Craters of the Moon Inferno Cone Craters of the Moon Inferno Cone Landscape Climb](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/34/348822/a-lunar-landscape-at-craters-of-the-moon-L-NoZ5AS.jpeg)
Shannon explores a “lava tube”; one of several in the park.
![Craters of the Moon Exploring Lava Tubes Craters of the Moon Exploring Lava Tubes](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/34/348822/a-lunar-landscape-at-craters-of-the-moon-L-XB4bwe.jpeg)
Bring a flashlight and good boots, these volcanic rock caves are completely undeveloped but totally worth a look.
![Craters of the Moon Lava Tube Craters of the Moon Lava Tube](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/34/348822/a-lunar-landscape-at-craters-of-the-moon-L-TW7DqF.jpeg)