Yes, we do! Our Winter Trail has been groomed and is ready for skiers and snowshoers.

We have new grooming equipment this year so the quality of the track is going to be better than ever!

Don’t have any equipment? You can borrow snowshoes for one of our Ranger guided walks or rent them from the bookstore.

Join us for the following free activities this winter:

Visitor Center: Daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except for federal holidays (Feb. 20) View exhibits and audio-visual presentations to learn more about your national monument. Check out the bookstore for unique gifts or snowshoe rentals.

Visit the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association website for more details:
Craters of the Moon

Cross-country Skiing/ Snowshoeing: thru February The 7 mile loop road is groomed for skiing as snow pack allows and there are no entry or user fees. Most of the snow trail follows relatively level terrain and can be completed in 2-4 hours. There are also excellent opportunities for snowshoeing throughout the park including our 1.5 mile snowshoe loop. Please note that dogs are not permitted on the snow trail.

Visit the website for maps and current conditions:
Winter Activities

Winter Snowshoe Adventures: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays; Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 Explore a cooler side of Craters of the Moon on a Ranger guided Winter Snowshoe Adventure. The day begins with a 30 minute classroom session followed by several hours out in the park on snowshoes. Look for tracks and climb a volcano on this 2-4 mile trek. Bring a lunch. Snowshoes are available for complementary use (donations accepted). Reservations are required and participants need to be at least 10 years of age for this moderately strenuous walk.

Call or email (crmo_information@nps.gov) early to sign up for these popular excursions at 208-527-1335.

Snowshoe Walks: 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. on Fridays; January 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24 Snowshoe with a Ranger on our 1.5 mile Snowshoe Loop Trail. Snowshoes are available for use and there is no charge for these events. No experience or reservations are required but participants should be at least 8 years old and walks are limited to 25 people. Meet at the visitor center and be prepared to spend an hour and ½ outdoors with warm waterproof boots and clothing.

SnowSchool: Tuesday through Friday in January and February Bring your students to Craters for an unforgettable and educational snowshoe trek. Snowshoe with a Ranger and learn about how wildlife adapts to winter conditions. We have enough snowshoes for about 30 students and the walks are suitable for third graders and up. Contact our Education Specialist at (208) 527-1331 for more information, schedule a field trip or inquire about transportation assistance. After registering for a SnowSchool visit we will provide you with detailed information on what to wear and bring.

Subscribe to our RSS News Release Feed at the following link:
http://www.nps.gov/crmo/parknews/newsreleases.htm

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
EXPERIENCE CRATERS OF THE MOON
http://www.nps.gov/crmo/

www.visitsouthidaho.com
Potato-fudge, metal work, log furniture, jewelry, artwork, home decor and so much more! It’s the College of Southern Idaho’s largest annual student-run event of the year. Come check it out this weekend, November 11-13!

ihunt.visitsouthidaho.com
New hunting informational website for Idaho outdoor enthusiasts! Find the latest regs, up-to-the-minute info, links, maps, videos, where to eat and where to stay.

The eagles have returned to the Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Nature Preserve, part of Thousand Springs State Park.  The best times to see the birds are from first light until about 8:30 am and then again from 4:30 pm till dark.  The rest of the time the eagles are soaring along the canyon.  Bundle up and enjoy this amazing sight!

Winter is still here to stay…or so it seems!  You either have cabin fever or you are raring to go try out your new skis or snowboard.  All the ski areas are open and reporting snow.  Soldier Mountain, Pomerelle Mountain Resort and Magic Mountain all have excellent conditions.  Or experience snowshoeing at Castle Rocks State Park – next door to the City of Rocks, and there is snowshoeing at Craters of the Moon.  There is plenty to do inside as well just visit our Calendar of Events and see what is happening.  It is a great time to visit area museums or see the stars at the Herrett Center.  If you have cabin fever – start planning your trip to Southern Idaho…we have lots of great ideas of where to stay and what to do here.

If you are out and about – check here for road conditions throughout Idaho.

Be safe * Be happy and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho!

Winter has come to Southern Idaho.  Lots of snow which has an upside and a down-side – the upside is our ski resorts are open – Pomerelle Mountain Resort is reporting new snow almost every day, before you go check skiing and road conditions.  The down-side is travel…where ever you are bound – click here for the most up-to-date travel information. It is also the holiday season and the lights are on….the shelves are stocked and holiday fun is everywhere. We’ve provided you one-stop to check out all the fun here in Southern Idaho.  Come to shop – plan to stay and take in all the fun and lights of Southern Idaho.  And it is never too soon to start planning your 2011 trip to Southern Idaho.

Be safe * Be Happy and we’ll see you soon in  Southern Idaho! 

Rock Creek Station and Stricker Homesite is witness to the history of our area.  Today it tells the stories of the people – Native Americans, trappers and pioneers who came here, survived hardship, and stayed.  Their collective story is our heritage and the backdrop for the present. You can have a hand in preserving and protecting the Stricker Homesite for the generations.  The site has been nominated as one of three landmarks in the State of Idaho worth saving.  A popular vote of citizens will decide which landmark will receive funding to assist in protecting and preserving this remarkable place.   Vote here throughout November and show your support of the Stricker Homesite.

A  good novel provides  detail and context   - over the next while we will tell you the stories of Southern Idaho … you will meet the people and know the “back – story” to use the vernacular of today  You will enjoy and experience  the people, places and landscape of Southern Idaho.  Please join us!

Take care * Be Safe and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho.

The days are cool, the nights even cooler – the trees are turning from green to red and gold. It is still the perfect time to play outdoors – just take a jacket. Take a drive –one of the easiest and best is a drive to the South Hills through the Sawtooth National Forest - just travel southeast of Twin Falls through Hansen and Kimberly. Take a walk, shuffle through the leaves, take your bike and ride the trails or take a run. The cool weather is the perfect time to visit our parks – take a hike at Thousand Springs State Park – my favorite – the Early M. Hardy Box Canyon Nature Preserve. Bike at Craters of the Moon where there are daily guided tours through the end of October. City of Rocks is spectacular and it is the perfect time to learn to climb – check out their experiential climbing program. Visit Lake Walcott State Park, it has the distinction of being the only state park that is a designated Wildlife Viewing Area. Haunted Houses are opening and one of the best is at Campus Grove in Albion. The former Albion Normal School (where many of our Idaho’s teachers were educated early on) has been transformed into Haunted Mansions and from all reports will scare your socks off! There is one for your kids and the really scary stuff for adults. If you’re after tamer fare for younger kids the CSI Corn Maze is a great place – twist and turn on nearly a mile of trail in the corn. Anytime is a great time in Southern Idaho – come stay and play!

Be Safe * Be Happy and we’ll see you soon!

The skies are blue, there is a hint of summer still left and it is the perfect time to get outside and visit the nearest park….Thousand Springs State Park is  amazing this time of year….take a walk at Malad Gorge and view the Devil’s Washbowl or explore the Earl M.Hardy Box Canyon Nature Preserve…and one of the area’s premier events – the Thousand Springs Festival is September is September 25 and 26…print off easy directions  to the Ritter Island are right here. Visit Lake Walcott State Park – plenty of water -  to go boating, fish and enjoy one of the best Frisbee-golf courses in the area.Take a bike ride – the trails are calling….whether you ride in the hills, the parks or on the road - be safe doing so.   Take a walk – with your friends, your kids, or your dog – just get outside and breathe the fresh, clear air.  If you are a runner – I run to clear my head – it is a great time to enjoy your miles in before cold weather relegates us to the treadmills! There are great upcoming  events – the Rim-to-Rim Run is September 18.  Going back to my “mom” days – take in a cross-country event and cheer on the runners at your local high school or experience “Friday Night Lights” Idaho-style in any of our communities at the local high school football stadium…you will have a great time !Are you planning a business meeting, reunion, or retreat – we have unique sites suited to everyone….contact us.  Take care – be safe and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho 

Our area is remarkable for the varied unique events and recreation opportunities.  Visit t Our parks, local, state and national offer everything under the sun and stars.  Remember August 14 and 15 is free fee weekend at Craters of the Moon, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monuments and City of Rocks National Reserve.  We have great  food and wine too!  Visit our wineries, Holesinki Vineyards is an organic vineyard – taste away in their tasting room – Snyder’s Winery is a delightful place – be sure to make reservations for dinner – the food and the wine are amazing! Rudy’s A Cook’s Paradise in Historic Downtown Twin Falls is the place to browse for every cooking gadget and they also have a terrific selection of wine and specialty foods- while you are there  sign up for a  cooking class.   Joe Mama’s Car Show rolls into Jerome on August 18 – the cars and the experience is remarkable! And Fair season is here –  up next are the Jerome, Cassia, Minidoka and Gooding County Fairs.  Be there for the fun!  One of the great values of the summer is a special all inclusive camping/white-water rafting adventure with High Adventure River Tours.  Sign up today.  We can  assist you with your planning – call or contact us.

Take care – Be safe and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho