Sunset Crater, which was created almost a thousand years ago by a volcano that erupted 850 feet into the air, and its younger and smaller sibling, Lenox Crater, serve as examples of the incredible power of nature. You may witness two craters, as well as a lava flow that has hardened and cinder fields and when you visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

The 3,040-acre park's main activity is a hiking, although fans of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) like visiting the cinder fields in the Coconino National Forest nearby.

Given that a 34-mile circle drive connects Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument off US-89, you may easily explore both parks in a single day. Plan to first visit the lava fields at Sunset Crater before moving on to the Wupatki Ancient Puebloan Ruins.

Things to Do

The 34-mile round includes scenic stops where you can see the cinder fields and craters, but trekking is necessary to appreciate the scenery fully. Visit the visitor centre first to learn about volcanoes, the Puebloans who once lived nearby, and how astronauts prepared for the lunar landing in 1969 by practising on the unusual terrain. You may learn more about ranger-led programmes in the visitor centre, such as seasonal stargazing, in the visitor centre.

The Cinder Hills OHV Area, though not a part of the park, attracts off-roading enthusiasts who ride dirt bikes, quads, and other vehicles through loose cinders where astronauts once tested lunar vehicles. NASA made tiny craters for the tests, which have since degraded into divots. Turn off US 89 at FS 776 to reach the OHV area, where you can view them or ride an OHV through them.

Best Hikes & Trails

In the park, trails wind along lava flows that have hardened and through loose cinders. Unfortunately, Sunset Crater is not accessible by hiking because it was shut down in 1973 to stop further harm from tourists. However, you can trek to the top of Lenox Crater and O'Leary Peak, which offers a view of Sunset Crater.

Ranger-led backcountry walks and a 2.5-mile Volcanology Hike that explores the Bonito Lava Field are available in addition to the self-guided excursions. Call (928) 526-0502 to make reservations.

Views of Sunset Crater, the Bonito Lava Flow, and O'Leary Peak are available from the 1.6-mile Lenox Crater Trail, which is moderately complex. You can see the San Francisco Peaks from the peak.
Trail of Lava Flow: This short, one-mile loop, which is partially paved, gets you to Sunset Crater's base. Spend roughly an hour investigating the Bonito Lava Flow on the route.
The 3.4-mile Lava's Edge Trail travels through pine forests and across loose cinders as it skirts the edge of the Bonito Lava Flow. It begins at the visitor centre. It joins the Lava Flow Trail, Bonito Vista Trail, A'a Trail, and Lenox Crater Trail.
Despite not being in the park, the 9.6-mile O'Leary Peak Trail (a little under 5 miles one way) offers views of the Sunset Crater's cinder cone. The Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Road's FS 545A is where you may access the route.

Beautiful drives

The 34-mile Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Road connects Sunset Crater with Wupatki National Monument. When you turn right at the Sunset Crater Volcano National Park sign, the scenic drive officially begins 12 miles north of Flagstaff. The visitor centre at Sunset Crater first takes one of the trails. The Lava Flow Trail, which should not be mistaken with the longer Lava's Edge Trail, is your best bet if you're short on time.

The Wupatki Visitor Center is reached after that point in the journey. Take the 0.5-mile lap around the 104-room pueblo and ball court after parking at the visitor centre. The Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Road concludes US-89 about 15 miles north of its starting point. The drive takes around one hour without breaks. However, allow yourself a whole day to travel the journey if you intend to visit both sites.

Wupataki National Monument

The $25 extra charge to Dusk Hole Fountain of liquid magma Public Landmark incorporates admission to Wupatki Public Landmark. Like Dusk Hole, climbing is the direct action at Wupatki. The most well-known trail is the Wupatki Pueblo Trail, which circles a portion of a mile around the biggest unsupported pueblo in northern Arizona. Assuming you have time, different paths lead to local pueblos.

For the people who need to get familiar with the antiquated Puebloans who lived nearby before the volcanic ejection that made Dusk Cavity, the guest community has instructive showcases, and ancient rarities tracked down nearby.

Where to Camp

Although there isn't legally any camping within the park, the Bonito Campground, which is located next to Sunset Crater's visitor centre, is run by the U.S. Forest Service. In the nearby Coconino National Forest, there are more camping options. Both places include seasonal camping.

Bonito Campground: Located across the street from the Sunset Crater visitor centre, this campground is typically open from late May to mid-October and has picnic tables, grills, fire rings, flush toilets, and drinking water. Sites cost $26 per night and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no connections.
Castle Hills Dispersed Camping: This beautiful recreation area next to Sunset Crater Volcano is a fantastic choice if you don't mind dispersed camping. However, because OHVs are common in the area, they can become noisy. The earth is also coated in cold volcanic cinder. Camping here is free of charge.
Flagstaff KOA: This KOA on Flagstaff's western outskirts can be your only camping choice in the winter. Free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, flush toilets, showers, a dog park, bike rentals, and hiking paths are all available at the 200-site campsite.

Places to Stay

The closest city to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is Flagstaff, which has many top-notch accommodations ranging in price from cheap to luxurious. Book early because popular hotels frequently sell out of rooms.

Little America is Flagstaff's only AAA Four Diamond hotel and a great starting point for exploring Sunset Crater. Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows, and the building is situated on 500 acres of private forest.
Chain hotel fans will love the Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff, which is conveniently located near the university and provides complimentary breakfast, three free drinks, and meals at the bar from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff is a historic Route 66 destination with three EV charging stations, a lounge off the lobby, and two on-site eateries. It also welcomes pets.

How to Get ThereHow to Get There

Leaving Flagstaff, head north on US-89. (The city's east side has an exit for US-89 from I-40.) when you are about 12 miles from Flagstaff, the visitor centre is 2 miles from the park's entrance is the visitor centre.

You can go another 21 miles after visiting Sunset Crater to reach the Wupatki Visitor Center and eventually US-89. Alternatively, you could go back the way you came.

Accessibility

The 0.3-mile roundtrip Bonito Vista Trail is accessible and offers views of the Bonito Lava Flow, volcanoes, and the tourist centre. The Lava Flow Trail has some paved sections, but the other areas are covered in loose cinders and are impassable to anyone with mobility issues. The visitor centre and the parking lot for the Lava Flow Trail have accessible bathrooms.

Guidelines for Your Visit

Admission to Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments is valid for seven days and costs $25 per vehicle.
Visit the neighbouring Meteor Crater if you want to view a meteor impact site instead of the volcano that created Sunset Crater.
Visit Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff to discover more about Sunset Crater's part in the lunar landing. Additionally, Pluto was found there.
Pets must be on a leash on the paved Lava Flow Trail and a segment of the Lava's Edge Trail, pets must be on a leash.
When hiking on unpaved routes, especially, use closed-toed shoes. Bring lots of water, use sunscreen, and layer your clothing.
There is patchy cell phone coverage there. Depending on your provider, the Lava Flow Trail parking lot and the Bonito Park pullout have wireless connectivity, depending on your provider.
Also unreliable is GPS. It would help if you always had a printed map of forest service routes.