Great Rift Backcountry

Contact: SMaurer@plia.org
Phone: (208) 677-6641

What Type of Travel?

What Type of Air?

Travel Details








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.

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."

More info at http://www.publiclands.org/html/explore/site.asp?search=YES&back=Search+Results&state=ID&state_name=Idaho&id=1926

    Idaho Parks

    Fly Fishers Guide to Idaho (2nd ed) by Ken Retallic and Rocky Ba

    Fly Fishers Guide to Idaho (2nd ed) by Ken Retallic and Rocky Ba

    Price: $28.95*
    (River Bum Fly Fishing)

    Buy Now!

    Shop for Fly Fishers Guide to Idaho (2nd ed) by Ken Retallic and Rocky Barker and other fly fishing Books at RiverBum.com and save. Free Shipping on orders over $25 for all fly fishing gear, equipment & more. Order today.


    Merchant: River Bum Fly Fishing


    Falcon Guides Idaho: A Climbing Guide, 2nd Edition

    Falcon Guides Idaho: A Climbing Guide, 2nd Edition

    Price: $35*
    (US Outdoor)

    Buy Now!

    Description of Falcon Guides Idaho: A Climbing Guide, 2nd EditionClimbs, Scrambles, and HikesWhether it's a technical ascent of the great west wall of Elephants Perch or a scramble to the summit of 12, 662-foot Mount Borah, here's your key to high adventur


    Merchant: US Outdoor


    NRS Playboater's Guide to Idaho Guidebook

    NRS Playboater's Guide to Idaho Guidebook

    Price: $19.95*
    (Altrec Outdoors)

    Buy Now!

    Nicely illustrated Playboater's Guide to Idaho Guidebook features most of the major park-and-play spots in Idaho. Each spot is profiled in detail with flow, season & directions. 112 pages by Rick Fernald and Colby Blewett.


    Merchant: Altrec Outdoors


    Idaho: A Climbing Guide (Book) by Tom Lopez

    Idaho: A Climbing Guide (Book) by Tom Lopez

    Price: $34.95*
    (Online Sports)

    Buy Now!

    Definitive guide for hiking, scrambling, rock and mountain climbing in Idaho: routes to over 800 summits (200 over 10, 000'), ratings, weather, geology. Has bombproof plastic cover. 400 pages.


    Merchant: Online Sports