Sunset Crater Volcano
Arizona: known for it's hot deserts, tall cactus, the Grand Canyon, and volcanoes--wait a minute, volcanoes? That's right, Northern Arizona is home to the San Francisco Volcanic Field, and over 600 cinder cone volcanoes, the most famous of which is easily Sunset Crater. Named for the red-colored cinders found at it's summit, this extinct volcano offers visitors a chance to hike other cinder cones, lava flows, and explore this unique geologic area.
When to Visit
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The monument is open 24/7, 365 days a year, rain or shine, or snow--this is northern Arizona after all, so while spring and fall will be cool and pleasant, and summers will be relatively warm, expect cold temperatures and even some snow in the winter time. As for crowds, this isn't the most popular area in the national park service, but like most places, expect the most visitors from late spring through summer.
How to Get There
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Sunset Crater is about 28 minutes north of the city of Flagstaff, just off Highway 89. While Flagstaff does have an airport with big carriers, it's relatively small, and often expensive to fly into. Your next best option will be Phoenix, which is approximately two and a half hours away from Sunset Crater.
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Sunset Crater Volcano Things to Do
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Bonito Park
Time: N/A.
Distance: N/A.
If you're coming from Flagstaff and enter from Highway 89, this will be the first pull off on your right with infographic signs and a sidewalk along it. While technically part of Coconino National Forest and not the monument, it's one of the first views of the crater you get, and one of the best. A small trail leads into an open meadow, with the crater prominent behind it. If you're looking for a spot to catch sunset's last light on the mountain, this is definitely the place.
A'A Trail
Time: 15 - 20 minutes.
Distance: .25 miles.
Who remembers their lava types from earth science class? Not me, because I had to google it, but A'A' lava is the rough and jagged type, which this trail is named after. Part of the massive Bonito Lava Flow, this short trail takes you out onto the lava flow itself, providing great views of Sunset Crater, and another volcano nearby: O'Leary Peak. It's a short, but really unique experience: who thought they'd be walking on top of a lava flow in Arizona?
The A'A Trail leads out onto the lava flow, with O'Leary Peak in the background.
Lenox Crater Trail
Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Distance: 1.1 miles.
So you want to hike to the top of Sunset Crater? So does everyone else, but, the soil is too sensitive, and the trail was closed back in the 1970's due to too much erosion. If you're still in the mood for a good, old fashioned volcano hike though, head across the street from the A'A Trail to Lenox Crater.
The start of the Lenox Crater Trail.
The first third of the trail is gradually uphill through dense pine forest, and relatively easily. You'll know you're getting closer to the summit though when the soil turns loose and black, making it a little tougher to hike through. At the top though, you're greeted with a spectacular view of the San Francisco Peaks, as well as a stark contrast between the green pine trees and black cinder hills.
The San Francisco Peaks (above) and cinder hills (below).
Rounding the corner and beginning the descent on the other side gives you a close up view of Sunset Crater itself, as well as some more cinder hills. The trail leads down the side of the mountain, placing you right where you began.
Sunset Crater seen from the Lenox Crater Trail.
Sunset Crater Volcano Cinematic Video
Tucked in northern Arizona's volcanic field, this national monument takes you across rugged lava fields, to the tops of volcanic summits, and through one of the most unique geologic areas in the United States. See it all in this cinematic video of Sunset Crater Volcano!
Lava Flow Trail
Time: .30 minutes.
Distance: .8 miles.
For your closest look at Sunset Crater itself, the lava flow trail is your chance. Half of this trail is paved and wheelchair accessible, providing ample information about the volcano and it's eruption along the way. The last half takes you down a lava flow, and to the base of the mountain itself: from here you get a great look at the red cinder soil found in the area. While you can't climb to the top, this might be the next best thing. If you want a peek at what's inside, then read on to the next hike!
Lava Flow Trail sections.
O'Leary Peak Trail
Time: 4 - 5 hours.
Distance: 9.6 miles.
O'Leary Peak is the most prominent volcano besides Sunset Crater that you can spot from ground-level in the park. The trail to the top is actually just outside of the monument's boundaries, and within Coconino National Forest. And while it's called a trail, it's actually just a forest service road up to the fire tower at the top (forest service vehicles only!).
O'Leary Peak and part of the Bonito Lava Flow along the trail.
The trail is found along the road to the O'Leary Group Campground. If you're coming in the main entrance to the park from Route 89, it will be your first left before the entrance station: proceed up the road and make your first right, where you'll see a small parking lot and the trail's beginning. There is a gate in front of it to prevent non-authorized vehicles from driving to the top; walk around the gate and begin the hike. The first mile or so of the trail is flat, but through loose, sandy cinders, with the Bonito Lava Flow prominent on your right. After this section, it's mostly uphill.
An average trail view heading to the top of O'Leary Peak.
I wish I could say that there's a lot of cool and interesting stops along the way to the top, but this is really just a service road, so, it's a fairly straightforward hike. That being said, the higher you get, the more expansive the views become, giving you a great sense of scale: you begin to be able to see down into Sunset Crater, and can see the Bonito Lava Flow in it's entirety.
Sunset Crater with some snow and the Bonito Lava Flow.
You'll know you've reached the top once you're at the fire tower: if there's someone living in the lookout, it's up to them if they want you coming up or not. Either way, they'll likely call down to greet you, and give/deny permission to come up. In winter months when no one is living there, you're free to hike the stairs, but the latch to the top will likely be locked. Regardless, if you want to take a look down into the crater, as well as see the Painted Desert and many other cinder cones dotting the area, proceed past the fire tower where you'll find a short trail to an amazing view.
The fire tower, Sunset Crater, and other cinder cones as seen from the top.
From this point, well, there's not much else to do beside begin the hike back down. If you started the hike later in the day, you might have a chance to catch some beautiful golden hour lighting on the volcano as you make the trek down--but don't start too late, you probably don't want to be stuck up here in the dark. For more on the O'Leary Peak Trail, click here.
Where to Stay in Sunset Crater
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Hotels & Lodges
There's no lodges in the park, but it's a short, 28 minute drive from the city of Flagstaff, where you pretty much have your pick on what kind of hotel you want to stay in: chain hotels, swanky resorts, and haunted boutique hotels in historic downtown are just a few options. Pick your poison!
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Camping
While there's no campgrounds in the monument itself, just before the entrance you'll find the O'Leary Group Campground and the Bonito Campground within Coconino National Forest. Both are open generally from April through October, and have drinking water and flush toilet bathrooms. Book the group campground here, starting at $120.00 per night, and Bonito Campground here, starting at $26.00 per night.
More Volcanoes?
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Well, kind of! This entire region of northern Arizona was shaped by volcanic activity, and if you're looking for even more volcano-themed adventures, I'd recommend heading to Lava River Cave. Found within Coconino National Forest and about 45 minutes from Flagstaff, these lava tube caves are over 700,000 years old, and a truly unique experience--check out my full guide here for more information.
Inside the Lava River Caves.
View from Bonito Park.