Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sunset Crater
A young volcanic cinder cone that erupted about 900 years ago. Trails over black volcanic cinders and lava flows feel like walking on the surface of the Moon.
Sunset Crater is the youngest volcano in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. It erupted around 1085 CE. The reddish-yellow cinders at the top of the cone look like the setting sun, which gave the crater its name. To protect the landscape, climbing the cone itself is prohibited. Visitors can walk the roughly 1.6 km loop trail over the lava flow to see black lava, fumaroles, and cinder formations up close, or hike the Lenox Crater trail to climb a nearby small volcano and enjoy the view. The site shares a loop road and entrance fee with Wupatki National Monument. It is about 25 minutes' drive from the city.
Opening hours
Sunrise to sunset; visitor center approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Lockett Meadow
- Mount Elden
- Humphreys Peak
- Buffalo Park
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Arizona Snowbowl
- Museum of Northern Arizona
- Pioneer Museum