In the past 9 summers that I'd been here I always missed the famous blooming season at Crater of the Moon. But during this year's long blooming season (due to the phenomenal amounts of rain) I got to visit both the new, southern part and the original part of the National Monument! This gallery contains photos from the original part, whereas the photos from the southern part (Wapi) can be found at https://pbase.com/vkantabu/wapi

For the first time I realized how lush and friendly, family-oriented the original part of the park is! You could bring your family out to the southern part of the park as well, but it would be a rather dangerous adventure, I think. The northern part has roads, trails (even paved ones!) and even bathrooms and campgrounds. The southern part has no trails, no bathrooms, and no interpretive signs, and access is dificult. The southern part is, however, more interesting! If you visit please keep it pristine.