- Hours: Open year round, but visitor center closed December 25
- Reservations: Not required
- Cost: Admission fee charged, good for both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments, children under 16 free
- Location: 30 miles north of Flagstaff, directions below
- How Long: Allow one hour to tour the visitor center and hike the Lava Flow Trail, and another 45 minutes to hike the Lenox Crater Trail
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall
- Discover more sites on our Northeast Arizona Circle Tour
Sunset Crater Review
Start your visit at the Sunset Crater visitor center, where you can explore exhibits about the volcano, see how a seismographs works and view the eruption from all sides through an interactive video.The self-guided Lava Flow Trail is one-mile loop trail with a quarter-mile accessible section. The Lenox Crater Trail (one mile round trip) climbs the cinder cone. This steep trail takes about 30 minutes to go up and 15 minutes to come back down. Remember that you are at a high elevation and the climb may be much more strenuous than you expect.
What You Need to Know About Sunset Crater
- Avoid hiking on the lava. It's sharp, brittle, and unstable, and can shred the soles of your shoes.
- Pets must be kept on a leash and they are not allowed in buildings or on park trails.
- Summer heat here is intense. Don't leave your pet in a vehicle. In just a short time, they can suffer heat stroke and die.
Getting to Sunset Crater
Sunset Crater Volcano National MonumentFrom Flagstaff, take U.S. 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right on the Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles (3km) to the visitor center.
Flagstaff, AZ
928-526-1157
Sunset Crater Website
If You Liked Sunset Crater, You May Also Like:
- Mt. St. Helens, Washington
- Lassen Volcanic Park, California
- Craters of the Moon, Idaho
