a cinder cone volcano and ponderosa pine trees

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

National Monument · Arizona

NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz

📍 StateArizona
🏛️ TypeNational Monument
🎟️ Entry$25
🏃 Activities9
Official NPS Website →
Sunset Crater

Cinder cone in Coconino County, Arizona, US

Sunset Crater is a cinder cone located north of Flagstaff in the U.S. state of Arizona, the youngest in a string of volcanoes close to the nearby San Francisco Peaks. The crater is within the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the people who lived here. A thousand years later, trees and flowers grow among the rocks, and people visit the lava flow to see and remember the most recent volcanic eruption in Arizona.

Park Photos

a cinder cone volcano and ponderosa pine trees
a jagged field of lava beneath a cinder cone volcano
a massive volcano rising behind a smaller, tree-covered volcano in the foreground
a small ponderosa pine tree in a field of rolling cinder hills
tall pine trees grow beneath the Sunset Crater Volcano cinder cone
A reddish cinder cone volcano standing above a meadow of dry grass

Activities

Operating Hours

Park Hours

The Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is open every day. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The roads and trails are open 24/7, with occasional closures for fire season or winter weather.

montuewedthufrisatsun
All DayAll DayAll DayAll DayAll DayAll DayAll Day

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25.00. This pass covers the pass holder and up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments for 1-7 days. Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.00. Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers to both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. Entrance - Per Person: $15.00. Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting the facility without a private vehicle. Good for both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments for 1-7 days. A pass is not required for individuals 15 or younger. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $15.00. The per person fee is charged for non-commercial groups up to the point that it exceeds the cost of the commercial rate for the same size vehicle. Entrance - Education/Academic Groups: $0.00. Bona fide educational institutions visiting for non-recreational purposes whose visit pertains directly to established curriculum are exempt from paying entry fees. Apply for an educational fee waiver at least 4 weeks in advance by submitting an educational fee waiver. Please see the below link to access the waiver. Commercial Entrance - Sedan: $28.00. Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 1-6 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Commercial Entrance - Van: $40.00. Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 7-15 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: $100.00. Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 16+ individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

What are the best activities at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?

Popular activities at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument include: Astronomy, Stargazing, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film, Museum Exhibits, Shopping.

What is the weather like at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?

Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. Expect high winds any time of year. Summer temperatures are often above 95ºF (35ºC) and we have afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are common in the winter. Dress in layers, as weather at Sunset Crater Volcano can change quickly at any time of year.

How do I get to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?

From Flagstaff, travel north on US Highway 89; from Page and the east entrance of the Grand Canyon, travel south on Highway 89. Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments are both on the loop road FR-545, which meets Highway 89 near mile markers 430 (Sunset Crater Volcano) and 444 (Wupatki).

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle$25

This pass covers the pass holder and up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments for 1-7 days.

Entrance - Motorcycle$20

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers to both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument.

Entrance - Per Person$15

Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting the facility without a private vehicle. Good for both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments for 1-7 days. A pass is not required for individuals 15 or younger.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$15

The per person fee is charged for non-commercial groups up to the point that it exceeds the cost of the commercial rate for the same size vehicle.

Entrance - Education/Academic GroupsFree

Bona fide educational institutions visiting for non-recreational purposes whose visit pertains directly to established curriculum are exempt from paying entry fees. Apply for an educational fee waiver at least 4 weeks in advance by submitting an educational fee waiver. Please see the below link to access the waiver.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan$28

Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 1-6 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

Commercial Entrance - Van$40

Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 7-15 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100

Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 16+ individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

Weather

Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. Expect high winds any time of year. Summer temperatures are often above 95ºF (35ºC) and we have afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are common in the winter. Dress in layers, as weather at Sunset Crater Volcano can change quickly at any time of year.

Directions

From Flagstaff, travel north on US Highway 89; from Page and the east entrance of the Grand Canyon, travel south on Highway 89. Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments are both on the loop road FR-545, which meets Highway 89 near mile markers 430 (Sunset Crater Volcano) and 444 (Wupatki).

📍 View on Google Maps →

Location

State(s)
Coordinates35.3711, -111.5104

Official Resources

NPS Official Website