Sunset Crater National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a small protected area of the San Francisco volcanic field located about twelve miles north of Flagstaff. The national monument is named after Sunset Crater, which erupted less than 1,000 years ago, and created the 1,000 foot cinder cone that we see today.

A visit to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument gives visitors a deeper look at evidence of the areas volcanic history and how it shaped the landscape. These volcanic features and the resulting surroundings can be experienced from five interesting hiking trails throughout the monument. And don’t miss the impressive overlook on the eastern edge of the monument boundary.

Quick Info: Sunset Crater National Monument

Directions: From Flagstaff, head north on US-89 for 12 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 545/Loop Road. There are signs indicating this turn for Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. After a few miles on this road, you will reach the entrance fee booth.

Fees: Entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument costs $25 per vehicle. This fee covers both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments. The “America the Beautiful” national park pass is accepted here.

Know Before You Go: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is connected to Wupatki National Monument via a 35 mile loop road. And both parks are covered in one entrance fee. The loop is a nice drive and both parks are worth visiting! There are no services along Loop Road.

Also Worth Noting: Sunset Crater is closed to climbing. Check out our bonus hike in the area for a good alternative adventure nearby.

Camping:

• Fee: There is one forest service campground near the entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Bonito Campground. There are not hookups or showers, but there are restrooms and running water.
• Free: There are numerous options for dispersed camping in the area. But the most conveniently located spots are on the forest road right across the US-89. This is National Forest land so dispersed camping is allowed – no facilities and a 14 day limit.

Visitor Center: The Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Visitor Center is located two miles east of the park entrance. The visitor center has information, exhibits and a seismograph station. It is open daily except for Christmas Day. But it was closed during our visit due to Covid-19. There are restrooms available here as well.

Things to Do at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Hiking Trails

There are five designated trails in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to explore the areas’ volcanic landscape.

A’a Trail

Distance: 0.2 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
A’a Trail is a very short but unique opportunity to walk through and to get up close to the sharp, hardened lava of the Bonito Lava Flow. This basaltic a’a lava formed over 900 years ago as the lava cooled after squeezing out of a fissure beneath Sunset Crater Volcano. The a’a trail passes through huge pieces of black hardened lava. It was impressive to walk through the sharp, rugged black lava formations and to see the life that has grown on and in the lava flow. We really enjoyed walking among the unique lava flow features and the opportunity to experience a landscape less common.

Lenox Crater Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Follow the loose cinder trail up through the Ponderosa Pines to the overlook at the top. Along the way, steal glimpses of the scenery through the trees. You can see Sunset Crater across the way, Bonito Lava Flow down below and O’Leary Peak in the distance. Once you reach the overlook, enjoy the vast views of Lenox Crater and the San Francisco Mountains in the distance. Walking through the pines with dark cinder underfoot and vast volcanic views all around was a real treat! Not to mention, it felt as though we had the entire trail to ourselves as we encountered nobody the entire time.

Bonito Vista Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Bonita Vista Trail is a paved path crossing a field of cinders and ending at a scenic view point. Look out across the jagged lava chunks that make up the Bonito Lava Field. We thought it was beautiful how the Ponderosa Pines contrast with the dark lava field.

Lava Flow Trail

Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Lava Flow Trail is a great trail for seeing several different features. The trail starts off paved before branching off where you then walk along the base of Sunset Crater Volcano. Along the way, check out more of the Bonito Lava Flow, see a squeeze-up, a spatter cone and pass one of the volcano’s lava tubes. As we passed one of the lava tubes, we stopped to look inside. There were metal bars preventing entry but we hung out here for a few minutes enjoying the natural air conditioner! Icy air was rising from deep below and it felt very refreshing on this hot summer day! This was probably our favorite of the five hiking trails in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument because of the diversity. We also enjoyed the numerous informational signs throughout the hike.

Lava’s Edge Trail

Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Lava’s Edge Trail is the only trail in the monument that we didn’t get to. We were trying to fit both of the national monuments into one full day. So for time’s sake, we skipped this one. According the the parks description of the hike, the trail passes through a forest of Ponderosa Pines and follows the edge of the jagged Bonito Lava Flow. Expect loose cinders, rough basalt and beautiful scenery.

Hike it Later – Pin it Now!

Overlooks

Cinder Hills Overlook

As you’re leaving Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and continuing on Loop Road towards Wupatki National Monument, there is a signed turn off for Cinder Hills Overlook. Park and take in the vast views of the black and red cinder hills blanketed in pines out in the distance.

Painted Desert Vista

Although not technically in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Painted Desert Vista is about 4 miles away from Cinder Hills Overlook along Loop Road. From here, the vast Painted Desert is sprawled out before you. Bring your binoculars and a lunch! There are picnic tables and vault toilets available here to go with the amazing view.

*This parking lot is where Shane started his longboarding run along Loop Road heading north towards Wupatki National Monument. Read more about that experience below.

And the Adventure Continues

Leave the tall conifers behind as you descend into the vast desert. Take in the vast views of the Painted Desert and beyond as you near the fascinating Pueblos of Wupatki National Monument.

Longboarding Run Near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Smooth roads, minimal traffic and beautiful scenery are optimal conditions for cruising on alongboard! So, of course, Shane couldn’t resist. He hopped on his longboard at the Painted Desert Vista parking area and that’s where his longboarding run began.

This stretch of road along Loop Road was downhill but much more mild than the hills within and just outside of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. He was able to cruise and carve back and forth for most of this three mile run. There were some steeper, curvier sections where he was able to use slides to slow down. During the three miles, we only encountered three other vehicles so traffic was pretty minimal. He was pretty stoked about having an opportunity to break out his longboard between national monuments!

Bonus Hike! O’Leary Lookout

O’Leary Fire Lookout, though not technically inside of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, is a great addition of exploring the area! The hike is about 10 miles round trip and reaches 8,916 feet. This elevation gain makes for a unique opportunity for viewing Sunset Crater. The height achieved from O’Leary Lookout allows for a glimpse down into the crater. And as you’re hiking you can point out the dark lava flows down below. Once at the top there is a manned fire lookout tower and of course, excellent views of the entire surrounding area!

Thank You for Your Support!

We had a great time exploring Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and we hope you enjoyed reading about it! After checking out the volcanic features we hit Loop Road and headed up to Wupatki National Monument.

If you’d like to check out some of our other adventure articles, check out the links below:

• Hiking and Camping at Fossil Falls
• Best Hikes in Badlands National Park
• Exploring Subway Cave
• Point Trail in West Clear Creek Wilderness

When we’re not adventuring, we’re working on our hand painted Lost Coast Longboarding longboards! To check out our latest lineup, head over to our Lost Coast Longboarding Shop. We also design and screen print our own t-shirts!

And if you’d like to show your support for The Lost Longboarder another way – whenever you shop on Amazon, just use our Amazon link to get to Amazon. Then shop as you normally would! It won’t change your shopping experience but it helps us out a bit. We appreciate it!