Ancient Indians undoubtedly witnessed the eruption of Sunset Crater
Volcano in A.D.1065 which blanketed the region with black cinder. Today the volcano's rim
of red cinders and the lava flows near the cone seem to have cooled and hardened to a
jagged surface only yesterday. Squeeze-ups and hornitos are just two of the fascinating
volcanic features you'll encounter while exploring the park. To protect this fragile
resource, Sunset Crater Volcano is closed to climbing and hiking. However, other cinder
cones in the area may be climbed. Sunset Crater Volcano is often confused with another
nearby attraction, Meteor Crater. At Sunset Crater Volcano you will see a cinder cone
rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape. Meteor Crater, located 35 miles east of
Flagstaff on I-40, is an impact crater measuring over 500 feet deep and 1 mile across.
Arizona does not observe daylight savings. You are on Mountain Standard Time. Leave
Flagstaff with a full tank of gas and food as there are no services at the monuments.
ACREAGE:
Federal: 3,040
VISITATION:
200,000
- ADDRESS:
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Route 3 Box 149
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
- TELEPHONE:
- 520/526-0502
- OPERATING HOURS AND SEASONS:
- The park is open year round. The Visitor Center is open daily (except Christmas Day)
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended hours possible during the summer season.
- CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
- Be prepared for abrupt weather changes in any season. Expect windy conditions most of
the year. Spring is usually mild but heavy snowfall can occur. Summer days are warm with
temperatures in the eighties. Afternoon thunderstorms likely July to September. In winter,
snow and freezing temperatures alternate with mild weather.
- DIRECTIONS:
- From Flagstaff, take U.S. 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right on the Sunset Crater
- Wupatki Loop Road and continue 2 miles (3 km) to the visitor center.
- TRANSPORTATION:
- To Park: by personal vehicle or tour bus. Nearest commercial airport is located
in Flagstaff, Arizona.
- In Park: Personal Vehicle, biking, hiking.
- ACCESSIBILITY
- Accessible restrooms are located at the Lava Flow Nature Trail. The visitor center and
portions of the Lava Flow Trail are accessible.
- FEES:
- Entrance fees that include both Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano are $3 per person (16
and under free). Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports are accepted.
Commercial tour fees are charged according to vehicle capacity: 1-6 $30, 7-25 $45, 26 or
more $100. Fees are collected at Sunset Crater Volcano.
- FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Picnic areas and vending machines only. No other services.
Bonito Campground is
located across from the visitor center and generally open from late May through
mid-October. Maximum vehicle size is 35 feet, no hookups, $10 per night. For further
information call the U.S. Forest Service at 520-526-0866. Overnight accommodations, food,
supplies, and gasoline are available in Flagstaff (14 miles/22 km). Flagstaff Visitor
Center: 1-800-842-7293.
- RESERVATIONS / PERMITS:
- Inquire at the visitor center.
- BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Hike one of our many trails or stop and take in a program given by park rangers.
Allow
at least 1 hour to stop at the visitor center and hike the Lava Flow Trial; To hike Lenox
Crater cinder cone allow another 45 minutes.
- SPECIAL EVENTS / PROGRAMS:
- Visitor Center/Exhibits:
- The Visitor Center has many exhibits and book sales.
- Trails:
- The 1 mile (1.6 km) Lava Flow Trail, with a 1/3 mile, 500 meter cutoff, is a
self-guided loop exploring a variety of volcanic formations.
The Lenox Crater Trail
provides an opportunity to climb a cinder cone. This steep trail is 1mile (1.6 km) round
trip and requires about 30 minutes up and 15 minutes down!
Backcountry hiking is allowed except on Sunset Crater Volcano. Inquire at the
Visitor Center. Use extreme caution hiking on lava - it is sharp, brittle, and unstable.
- Programs, Activities:
- These programs are generally offered June, July, and August but are subject to change.
Please ask as other programs may be scheduled.
Lava Walk: Daily, 45 minutes,
check visitor center for times. Investigate cinder cones, squeeze- ups, and more! Meet at
the contact station at the Lava Flow Trail parking area.
Evening Program: 1 hour campfire talk at Bonito Campground Amphitheater. Check
visitor center for time and topic.
- Lodging and Camping Facilities:
- Bonito Campground is located across from the visitor center and generally open from late
May through mid-October. Maximum vehicle size is 35 feet, no hookups, $10 per night. For
further information call the U.S. Forest Service at 520-526-0866. Overnight
accommodations, food, supplies, and gasoline are available in Flagstaff (14 miles/22 km).
Flagstaff Visitor Center: 1-800-842-7293.
- Food and Supplies:
- None inside the monument.
- VISITOR IMPACTS:
- Pets are not allowed in buildings, on trails, in the backcountry, or tied to any
objects. They may be exercised in parking areas on a leash. Summer temperatures may be
fatal to pets in closed vehicles.
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