Devil's Orchard ~ Craters Of The Moon National Monument

The Devil's Orchard is a unique geological area in the Craters Of The Moon National Monument. This destination features huge chunks of lava from the North Crater Wall that look as if they were planted in a garden. As lava cools it can create shapes that look like works of art and several monolithic masterpieces are on display along the trail that runs through this field. The Devil's Orchard Hiking Trail is only about one half mile long and it is designed for those who have mobility challenges. This smooth trail does a full loop, so it is easy to navigate as well. All along this trail are some of the oddest looking natural lava monolith statues that can be imagined and the visual experience will provide memories to ponder over for years to come!

The trail through the lava monoliths is an educational experience. Information placards can be found all along this trail and it is easy to learn a little something while strolling down the path. This is a very fragile environment that required eons of time for green growth to take hold, so going off the trail is strictly prohibited. This type of crater lava can degrade with foot traffic and the restrictions help to preserve the natural beauty of this strange place. The details of the Devil's Orchard environment are thoroughly explained and a visitor will be one step closer to becoming an expert volcanologist after completing the trek.

Weird and surreal are words that come to mind when walking through the Devil's Orchard. On a bright sunny day, the glare softens the appearance of the landscape, which imparts a more cheerful experience. On the flip-side, a hike through this lava field on a dark dreary day will result in an ominous experience that borders upon being macabre. The tall lava crater monoliths seem to come to life when there is no bright sunlight hiding the details. Staring for too long may result in seeing everything from evil faces to other worldly shapes, so this creepy garden does earn its name. For those who seek a place to do a fun spooky hike when Halloween rolls around, the Devil's Orchard certainly is a good choice!