Split Butte is located in Blaine County Idaho about 15 miles north of Minidoka Idaho. It isn’t far to the east of the territory of the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.

Split Butte looking northwest, a phreatomagmatic maar-type volcano comprised of a tephra ring and inner basalt lava lake. The lava lake partially flowed over the southwest rim and collapsed leaving a circular shelf of basalt within the crater. 

It isn’t far from the Wapi Flow that nearly reached the volcano.

It is an other-worldly type of place. The heat, the barrenness of the desert, and the constant wind erosion of the rocks makes it unique.

Brad & Rachel Hales came to visit in early June 2021. We ventured out to the desert. For Split Butte we sardined all 13 members of our families into my air-conditioned 2014 Ford F-150 for the trek from the main road to Split Butte. That turned into a story of its own.

I took this panorama from the highest point I could attain. You cannot even really make out my truck at the bottom.

I must comment how disappointed I am that some people have done damage or not tried to preserve this phenomenal feature for future generations. Garbage is minimal, but the off-road vehicles going to this place are not careful and undermine the beauty and grandeur that still exists. I hope if you make a visit you will leave it better than you found it.