Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway: Discover Idaho’s Least Visited Landscapes

Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway will take you on a road trip through one of Idaho’s most scenic regions. This byway travels alongside the Lost River Mountain Range where piercing peaks, including Idaho’s tallest peak, rise a mile above the Lost River Valley before entering a vast ocean of lava flows at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway will take you on a journey from Idaho’s least visited central region to Southern Idaho where much of the landscape is covered in a vast ocean of lava flow.

Beginning near Challis at the northern end of Highway 95, the byway travels southeast between the Lost River Mountain Range and White Knob Mountain Range. This northern portion of Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway is sensational so take it all in while you can.

While driving through this stretch be cognizant that the Lost River Range is home to some of Idaho’s tallest peaks. You’ll be able to see a few of these craggy spires on this road trip including Idaho’s tallest peak, Mount Borah (12,662 ft). Other peaks visible from Highway 93 are Mount Idaho (12,065 ft), Leatherman Peak (12,228 ft), Mount Church (12,200 ft), Mount Breitenbach (12,140 ft), and Lost River Mountain (12,078 ft).

There are actually nine summits in Idaho that lie above 12,000 feet collectively known as the “12ers”. These 12ers are the most sought-after goals in the Idaho hiking and climbing community. Achieving all nine summits places you into a unique category of Idaho peak baggers. If you’d like to join this elite club, allocate a few extra days to this trip to get some hiking in.

Also note that this region of Idaho is considered a four-wheeler mecca. As a matter of fact, the Lost River Valley and surrounds has been designated the “Off Road Capital of the West“. There are hundreds of miles of off-road terrain to explore so if you have an ATV you best bring it. If you don’t own one there are a few places you can rent from along the way.

The southern portion of this byway provides motorists the opportunity to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, a place that encompasses three major lava fields.

While you can easily complete this drive in one day, plan for longer if you want to hike, fish, or take advantage of all the outdoor opportunties that abound along the way.

Best Stops on Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway

Land of the Yankee Fork State Park

Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway starts at the junction of Highway 93 and Highway 75 just outside of Challis, Idaho. At this junction is the Land of the Yankee Fork Visitor Center, a museum that explains Central Idaho’s frontier mining history. Also here is a rest area and public restrooms.

About 11 miles south on Sawtooth Scenic Byway (Highway 75) is Bayhorse Ghost Town and even further south is Custer Ghost Town, both former mining towns that are part of Land of the Yankee Fork State Park.

These ghost towns are fascinating and have lots of really cool things to see including abandoned buildings, a gold dredge, and other mining relics. If you have time you should certainly visit both ghost towns but if not the Visitor Center features exhibits on Bayhorse and Custer ghost towns, as well as a gold panning station that kids will enjoy.

Mount Borah

Mount Borah, at 12,662 feet, is the highest peak in Idaho. It is located in the Lost River Mountain Range which is home to seven of Idaho’s tallest mountains. This mountain range runs almost the entire length of Highway 93 from Challis to Arco. Borah, which sits at the far northern end of the Lost River Range, was named after a U.S. senator from Idaho who had served for 27 years at the time.

You’ll be able to see Mount Borah’s piercing peak while driving on Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway but if you want to stop for a moment to appreciate its splendidness, keep a lookout for Mount Borah Historical Marker which is a good place to pull over.

Borah is one of a handful of peaks in the lower 48 states that climbs over 5,000 feet from trailhead to summit therefore is a prized peak among the hiking community. The hike to its summit attracts thousands of hikers every year hoping to log their name in the summit box.

If you’re a peak bagger, you may want to put this hiking trail on your bucket list. The trail is only 3.5 miles each way but obviously it’s a very steep climb that is not to be taken lightly. It also involves climbing a ridgeline called “Chicken Out Ridge”, a class 4 arête where some hikers become terrified and turn back. Still interested? You’ll find the trailhead at the end of Forest Road 279 within Challis National Forest. 

Campgrounds: Joe T. Fallini Campground situated on the banks of Mackay Reservoir is the only campground in the area with full RV hookups. It also offers views of the Lost River Range along with boating in the summer and ice fishing in late winter. 

Mackay

Mackay is a former mining town named in honor of John William Mackay (Nov 1831 – Jul 1902) who owned local copper mines. The nearby Mackay Peak in the White Knob Mountains is also named after him.

This small community of less than 500 residents sits at an elevation of 5,905 feet which has earned it the nickname “Top of Idaho”. The high elevation means the weather can be brisk here if you’re visiting in spring or fall.

While there isn’t much to do in town, there is lots of outdoor adventure to be had nearby since Mackay is situated between two mountain ranges.

Mackay’s Historic Mine Hill is a place nearby you can visit to get a glimpe into this forgotten town’s past. More than just a ghost town or an abandoned mining camp, Mine Hill is a collection of abandoned places including two townsites, a sawmill, miners’ cabins, numerous mining sites, ruins of a smelter and the transportation systems (narrow gauge railroad and aerial tram) that connected them.

Mines here were active from 1879 to 1949 and primarily produced copper ore but also other valuable minerals including lead, zinc, silver, and 42,000 ounces of gold. Some of the area is accessible by vehicle while other parts require ATVs or hiking.

Lower Cedar Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall near Mackay that is worth visiting too. The hiking trail to the waterfall is only 1.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 600-feet. You’ll find the trailhead five miles east of Mackay in the Lost River Range.

Mackay is a top fishing destination in Idaho so if you’re looking for somewhere to cast a line you have quite a few options. Mackay Reservoir just north of town is stocked with rainbow trout and self-sustaining kokanee. The Lost River as well as its tributaries also provide many opportunities for fly-fishermen.

King Mountain Natural Arch

King Mountain Natural Arch is an 80-foot high limestone arch hiding in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This natural wonder is a little out of the way but totally worth making the effort to see!

It is located in a remote area on the southern portion of King Mountain. If you love adventure, you’ll not only enjoy the hike to the arch but also the drive out to the trailhead!

The King Mountain Natural Arch Trail is only 0.5 miles but very steep. While you can see the arch from near the start of the trail, it’s really cool to see up close. From the trailhead you’ll immediately ascend uphill, first through great basin rye grass, mountain mahogany and sagebrush, then as the trail ascends higher the vegetation changes to Douglas fir forest. A series of steps leads to the end of the trail. 

To get to the trailhead you’ll need to take Arco Pass Road, a dirt road with a few ruts. Be careful and drive slow. The last portion of the road to the parking area is recommended only for high clearance vehicles. Get directions here.

Arco

Arco is famous for being the site of the first power plant in America to produce electricity using atomic energy. The pioneering reactor operated for 12 years from 1951 to 1963. It is now a National Historic Landmark that you can visit for free!

If you’ve ever wondered what a nuclear reactor looks like or how electricity is generated from nuclear energy, don’t miss visiting Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 Atomic Museum where you can take a self guided tour of a decommissioned reactor.

The museum is located 20 miles south of Arco on Highway 26, and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day between 9am to 4pm Monday through Saturday. No reservations are required to visit.

In town, there is an interesting roadside attraction known as the “Devil Boat”. The Devil Boat is actually the preserved sail of the submarine USS Hawksbill. Displayed on the sail of the submarine is the number 666 which is where the connection to the devil originates.

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is a strange landscape made up of vast ocean flows and scattered cinder cones. A visit to this national park is like visiting the moon!

The easiest way to explore this park is to drive the 7 Mile Loop Road, a scenic drive that takes visitors to the best viewpoints in the northern section of the park. If you have more time, there are two great hikes that you should add to your park itinerary; Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail and Inferno Cone.

Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail is an easy trail through unique landscape where you’ll see lava rocks and odd-shaped trees. There are informative signs along the way to explain everything that you see.

Inferno Cone is the best hike at Craters of the Moon. This trail will take you to the very top of the tallest cinder cone in the park. From the top are phenomenal views across the entire park and even beyond the park’s boundaries.

There are other cool things to see at the park if you have time like spatter cones and lava caves. The best way to learn about everything the park has to offer is to start your trip at the Visitor Center where you can pick up brochures and maps.

You can see most of the park’s highlights in one day but if you want to take on some of the longer trails and visit the lava caves, it’s best to stay overnight. There is a campground here which is first come first served.

Silver Creek Preserve

Silver Creek Preserve is a special place in Idaho’s high desert that will capture your heart. This 880-acre protected area is home to a thriving ecosystem with an abundance of wildlife including elk, bobcats, and even moose!

As many as 150 species of birds have been spotted here so if you enjoy birdwatching, this is a place you can’t miss. The park usually attracts waterfowl, songbirds, hawks, and eagles. In the spring you’ll likely hear Sandhill cranes bugling in the morning and Candian geese honking overhead on their fall migration.

This aquatic ecosystem has one of the highest densities of stream insects in North America which helps to support a world-class fishery so bring your fly rod to catch that trophy trout!

Silver Creek is also a photographer’s paradise. Come in the afternoon to capture beautiful soft blues, purples, reds and yellow light over the lush landscape.

There is a nature trail that runs alongside the spring-fed creek which begins at the park’s visitor center and places where you can put your canoe in to spend a couple of hours gliding across the water.

Silver Creek Preserve is open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk. Fishing season opens Memorial weekend and closes at the end of November. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the preserve whether on or off leash.

Best hotels along Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway

Since this part of Idaho is seldom visited, lodging is limited along Peaks To Craters Scenic Byway. There are two motels in Arco that offer basic rooms for under $100 per night; Arco Inn and DK Motel.

You can also find lodging in Bellevue (Highway 75). The best hotel here is Silver Creek Hotel, a new boutique hotel with spacious rooms that come with a free breakfast.