Blue Dragon Lava Flow, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

To the moon and back. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho, USA

Buckle up, Earthlings, as you venture into an extraterrestrial realm right here on our planet! Surrounded by the rugged landscape of Idaho, US, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve was born of the volcanic forces that shaped the region thousands of years ago. Visitors are greeted by a surreal vista of vast lava fields, cinder cones and spatter cones, reminiscent of a lunar surface, spread across almost 3,050 square kilometres. Did you know that the Apollo 14 astronauts trained here to prepare for their moon missions? The space travellers were able to gain insight into similar conditions found on the moon by exploring the unique volcanic geology of the Craters of the Moon.

Established on May 2, 1924, by President Calvin Coolidge, this natural wonder celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024, marking a century of preservation and appreciation for its otherworldly beauty. So, if you ever want to visit outer space without leaving Earth, the Craters of the Moon should be right up your alley.