Help us locate this campground on a map.
Great Rift Backcountry Area
American Falls, Idaho(View other American Falls area campgrounds)
Campground contact:
Ownership: Bureau of Land ManagementOfficial website: recreation.gov
Posted by: MountainMan on December 15, 2005
Description
The Great Rift is one of only two such features in the world. At 635 square miles, it is considered to be the largest, deepest, and most recent volcanic rift system in the continental United States. Many of Idaho`s most fascinating geological features lie along this potential wilderness. A tremendous fissure extending 65 miles opened up to emit successive lava flows some 15,000 years ago. This volcanic landscape with spatter caves, ice tubes, caves, and cinder cones awaits the adventurous desert hiker. It contains undisturbed and unusual geologic features throughout the 380,000 acres of the Craters of the Moon and Wapi lava flows. Abundant wildlife, including sage grouse, mourning doves, mule deer, and antelope, inhabit the area. Visitors can marvel at the scale-like formations of the Blue Dragon lava flow, hike the sharp and broken a`a lava of the Bear Park Kipuka, and explore lava tube caves inhabited as early as 1200 A.D.
Click for directions
Directions
From I-86 northeast of American Falls, take exit 40 and head northeast on ID 39 past American Falls Dam. After passing the dam, turn left on Center Pleasant Valley Road (2600 S) and drive about 7 miles east to Lava Bed Road. Turn right and drive north about 6 miles to Crystal Ice Cave Road. About a 6 mile drive on a dirt road will take you in the general vicinity of the Great Rift to a spot called ""The Frying Pan.""Activities
Guidebooks
- U.S. National Forest Campground Guide: Northern Region: Montana and Northern Idaho
- Foghorn Outdoors: Montana, Idaho, & Wyoming Camping: The Complete Guide to more than 1200 Campgrounds
- Camping Idaho
Services
Reservation info
Fees
Photos from Great Rift Backcountry Area
No photos at this time. Add your photos of this campground!
Reviews of Great Rift Backcountry Area
No reviews yet. Add your campground review!Recommendations
No recommendations yet.Additional Resources
Idaho Camping
More Idaho Outdoors
Outdoor Equipment
Black Diamond HiLight 2-Person 3-Season Tent
The Black Diamond HiLight 2-Person 3-Season Tent uses a combination of ultra-breathable EPIC and ultralight SilNylon fabrics to achieve a...
The Black Diamond HiLight 2-Person 3-Season Tent uses a combination of ultra-breathable EPIC and ultralight SilNylon fabrics to achieve a...
