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Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Discover Arizona's volcanic past at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with unique landscapes and hiking trails near Flagstaff.

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Explore the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Witness the dramatic landscape formed by a volcanic eruption around 1085 AD, with cinder cones, lava flows, and unique hiking trails amidst a ponderosa pine forest. Discover how the eruption impacted the lives of the Sinagua people and reshaped the environment.

A brief summary to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Local tips

  • Bring water and sun protection, as the trails offer little shade and the sun can be intense, especially during the summer.
  • Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, especially if you plan to hike the Lava's Edge Trail or Lenox Crater Trail.
  • Visit the Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center for information, exhibits, and to purchase passes.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Wupatki National Monument by taking the scenic loop road.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From Flagstaff, drive north on U.S. Highway 89 for approximately 12 miles. Turn right onto the Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Road (FR 545) between mile markers 430 and 431. Continue for 2 miles to reach the Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center. A standard entrance pass is $25 per vehicle, valid for 1-7 days and includes access to Wupatki National Monument.

  • Taxi

    From Flagstaff, a taxi or rideshare to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument will take approximately 30 minutes. Expect to pay between $40 and $50 for the one-way trip. Upon arrival, a standard entrance pass is $25 per vehicle, valid for 1-7 days and includes access to Wupatki National Monument.

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Discover more about Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument preserves the landscape surrounding Sunset Crater, the youngest volcano in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Around 1085 AD, a powerful eruption dramatically altered the landscape, displacing the area's inhabitants and leaving behind a unique geological environment. The iron-rich cinders at the top of the cone give the crater a reddish glow, inspiring the monument's name. Visitors can explore the remnants of the eruption on several short hiking trails. The Lava Flow Trail is a popular, easy, paved loop through the base of the volcano, offering close views of the lava flows and volcanic features. For a slightly more challenging hike, the Lenox Crater Trail climbs through a ponderosa pine forest to offer incredible views from the top of a nearby crater. The Lava's Edge Trail is the longest, traversing along the Bonito Lava Flow. While hiking to the top of Sunset Crater is prohibited to protect the fragile environment, other cinder cones in the area, like Lenox Crater and Doney Mountain, are open for climbing. The eruption had a significant impact on the Sinagua people who lived in the area. The Sinagua were farmers who cultivated corn, beans, and squash. While the eruption initially caused destruction, the ash deposits ultimately created more fertile farming conditions, leading to a population boom in the region. The nearby Wupatki National Monument contains ancient dwellings of the Sinagua people.

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