National park · United States
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Give it 2–3 hours: drive the loop road, walk the Lava Flow Trail at the volcano base, and climb Lenox Crater for the view; skip it if you have only one day in Flagstaff and have not seen the Grand Canyon yet.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
approximate
Established
1930
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 16Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Southwest ↗Most national parks here charge an entrance fee per vehicle; the nationwide annual pass pays off at three or more parks — check current prices.
- Southwest ↗Alcohol is banned on the Navajo Nation and in many pueblos; some Utah restaurants do not serve alcohol or coffee.
- Arizona ↗Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time (UTC−7) year-round and does not observe daylight saving; the Navajo Nation does.
- Arizona ↗The 22 reservations are sovereign; each sets its own visitor rules. Ask before photographing people, dances or ceremonies.
- Arizona ↗Front-seat belts are required by law; children under five must be in a proper restraint.
- Northern Arizona ↗A car is effectively required; distances run 60–200 km between sights and public transport between them is thin.
- Northern Arizona ↗Alcohol is prohibited on Navajo Nation land, including the roads and towns inside it.
- Northern Arizona ↗Flagstaff sits near 2,100 m; expect cooler nights and slower first-day hiking.
- Northern Arizona ↗Carry water; on the Mojave stretch west of Kingman, fuel and water stops can be 50 km apart.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
- About 3,040 acres of cinder cone, lava flow and ponderosa pine (check).
- Established
- 1930
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Flagstaff
Sunset Crater is the youngest large cinder cone in the San Francisco volcanic field, northeast of Flagstaff off US-89. The monument protects the cone, the surrounding lava fields and the Bonito lava flow, all inside a fragile volcanic landscape where walking off-trail is banned. Most visitors pair it with Wupatki National Monument on the same loop road; whether one ticket covers both is not confirmed here (check). There is no lodging inside, no backcountry access, and the crater rim itself is closed.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1930.
Size and age
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²) · national park since 1930
About 3,040 acres of cinder cone, lava flow and ponderosa pine (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Flagstaff.
Why go
- Stand on a 1,000-year-old lava flow on a paved, wheelchair-accessible trail.
- The cone is the youngest of the San Francisco volcanic field peaks and still shows its red and yellow oxidized rim.
- One fee covers both Sunset Crater and Wupatki, so the loop road is a full half-day of geology and pueblo ruins.
- Cool, pine-shaded elevation (about 2,100 m) makes it a summer escape from Phoenix and Sedona heat.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold; snow and ice possible on trails
- FebCold; snow possible; quiet
- MarMild days, wind
- AprUsually dry and clear; comfortable walking
- MayWarm days, cool nights
- JunHot at midday; afternoon storm risk builds
- JulMonsoon storms; lightning on exposed trails
- AugMonsoon peak; go early morning
- SepStorms ease; clear light
- OctUsually dry and mild
- NovCool and clear; short days
- DecCold; ice and possible road closures
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer and elk in the pine and lava-edge countryOct–May · Most active around dawn and dusk; drive slowly on the loop road. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Pronghorn and coyote on the open grassland toward WupatkiMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Raptors and ravens over the lava fieldsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers on cinder soilsMay–Jul · Depends on winter and monsoon moisture. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Flagstaff
Drive US-89 north, then turn east onto the Sunset Crater–Wupatki loop road.
25–30 min
Open the page →
From Grand Canyon South Rim
Drive US-180 or I-40 east to Flagstaff, then US-89 north.
1.5–2 h
From Phoenix
Drive I-17 north to Flagstaff, then US-89 north.
2.5–3 h
From Wupatki National Monument
Stay on the loop road east; the two monuments sit on the same drive.
20–30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor center area | Exhibits on volcanism, ranger information, restrooms and the trailheads. | Open with monument entry; visitor center daily 9:30–16:30, with a possible midday closure.Open with monument entry; visitor center daily 9:30 AM–4:30 PM, with a possible midday closure. |
| Lava Flow and Bonito Vista trails | Paved and cinder paths over the Bonito lava flow at the cone's base. | Open; stay on the trail. |
| Lenox Crater | A smaller cinder cone with a short climb to a rim view. | Open; steep cinder surface. |
| Crater rim and backcountry | The cone itself and all off-trail ground. | Closed; no hiking off marked routes. |
Sketch map
- 1Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center · Headquarters≈35.369, -111.543Map ↗
- 2Sunset Crater (cone) · Summit≈35.365, -111.500Map ↗
- 3Lava Flow Trail · Trail≈35.362, -111.503Map ↗
- 4Lenox Crater · Trail≈35.373, -111.524Map ↗
- 5Bonito Campground · Sleep≈35.370, -111.544Map ↗
- 6Flagstaff · Town≈35.198, -111.651Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the loop road, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance (Sunset Crater and Wupatki, one ticket) | US$15–25 | person | 2026 estimate; walk-in or bicycle rate is lower than the vehicle rate. Confirm current rates on the NPS fee page before you go. |
| Entrance (private vehicle) | US$25 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; the ticket also covers Wupatki National Monument for 7 days. Confirm on the NPS fee page. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; covers federal entrance fees for a year. Confirm the current price. |
| Bonito Campground (US Forest Service, outside the monument) | US$26 | vehicle per night | 2026 estimate; up to 8 people, extra vehicle fee applies. Confirm with the US Forest Service. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Monument entrance permit or guide
Backcountry or off-trail walking no permit
Crater rim access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$15–25
- US$25
- US$80
- US$26
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on trails
- Off-trail and backcountry walking is banned; cinder and lava surfaces scar easily and are slow to recover.
- No collecting
- Removing rocks, cinders, plants or artefacts is prohibited.
- Drones
- Launching or landing drones is not allowed on National Park Service land.
- Pets
- Allowed only on paved areas and the Lava Flow Trail, on a leash; not on other trails.
- Camping
- No camping inside the monument; use Bonito Campground just outside or stay in Flagstaff.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bonito Campground
US Forest Service campground by the visitor center; no hookups, first-come in some seasons.
Near the park
Flagstaff
Full range of motels, hotels and hostels, 25–30 min away.
Near the park
Wupatki and Cameron area
Limited lodging east on the loop road and toward the Little Colorado; book ahead.
Safety
Altitude and dry air medium
Lightning on exposed cinder high
Loose cinder and lava rock medium
Winter ice and snow medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Lava Flow Trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible.
- The visitor center, restrooms and main viewpoints are reachable by car with short walks.
- Lenox Crater and the rougher lava paths are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Walk only on marked trails; cinder and lava crust take decades to recover from footprints.
- Carry out all rubbish, including fruit peel, which harms wildlife.
- Refill water bottles at the visitor center instead of buying new ones.
- Combine Sunset Crater with Wupatki in one drive to cut fuel use on the loop road.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?
Expect about US$25 per private vehicle or US$15–25 per person arriving on foot or by bicycle in 2026 — these are estimates, not confirmed rates. An America the Beautiful annual pass (about US$80) covers federal entrance fees. The same ticket covers Wupatki National Monument for 7 days. Check the NPS fee page before you go.
What are the best hikes in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?
The Lava Flow Trail is the easiest option: a 1 mi (1.6 km) wheelchair-accessible loop over the Bonito lava flow at the base of the cone. Lenox Crater Trail is a short, steep cinder climb to a small crater rim. Bonito Vista, A'a and Lava's Edge trails are shorter options. There is no trail to the crater rim and off-trail hiking is banned.
When is the best time to visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?
April, May, September and October are usually dry and mild. July and August bring monsoon thunderstorms and lightning on exposed cinder, and December to February can mean snow, ice and temporary road closures. Summer mornings are the coolest and quietest.
Can I hike to the top of Sunset Crater?
No. The crater rim is closed and there is no route to the summit; the cone is protected because its surface is fragile. The closest you get is the Lava Flow Trail and the Lenox Crater rim.
Do I need a reservation or permit?
No reservation is needed for normal visits; you pay at the entrance station or show a pass. There are no permits for backcountry travel because off-trail walking is not allowed anywhere in the monument.
Is Sunset Crater worth visiting with Wupatki?
Yes, if you have half a day. The two monuments sit on one loop road and most people see both in one drive from Flagstaff, and one entrance ticket covers both for 7 days.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go