The
Whole Out-of-Doors is Arco's Backyard
Gateway to Craters
of the Moon
The unearthly lava landscape of Craters
of the Moon National Monument attracts nearly a quarter million visitors
each year. The monument also offers local residents a variety of opportunities
to enjoy the outdoors in an one-of-a-kind setting. The park provides guided
activities and programs in the summer and cross country skiing and snowshoeing
in the winter. The monument is the prefect place for seeing wildflowers,
bird watching, photography, biking, hiking, camping, and just finding
a bit of solitude. The monument offers both developed sites as well as
an area the size of Rhode Island to roam about on your own.
The Big Lost River
and Pioneer Mountains
Recreational
opportunities abound in the National Forest that surrounds Arco. Fishing
in the Big Lost River and Mackay Reservoir, hunting for deer, elk, and
other game animals in the foothills, and snowmobiling up Antelope Canyon
or the Copper Basin are just a few of the activities available. Hang gliders
launch off of mountain slopes, campers head for the forest, and hikers
take off on trails into alpine lakes. All of this is available within
a short distance of Arco.
Snake River Plain
A vast area of sagebrush and lava, this high desert is a stark contrast
to the mountain ranges that border it. Most of it is managed by the Bureau
of Land Management and the area offers a whole new set of recreational
possibilities. Visitors can camp, look at wildflowers, ride all-terrain
vehicles, hunt, and explore areas such as Kings Bowl, a huge blow out
in the lava caused by hot magma exploding as it contacted water just below
the earth's surface.
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