Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Arizona.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Become a Junior Ranger at Sunset Crater Volcano (1 to 2 Hours): Explore Sunset Crater Volcano and learn about geology, wildlife, starry skies and how you can help us protect national parks.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. 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.

Getting there

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).

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center](): Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. The visitor center is open from 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM, with exceptions for extreme weather conditions and select holidays.

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Grand Canyon, about 59 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.