ARIZONA NATIONAL PARKS

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Here, past meets present...Pueblos and cliff dwellings so well preserved it's hard to believe their builders moved on 700 years ago...Amid lava and cinder one can imagine a landscape still hot to the touch. Welcome to the Flagstaff Area National Monuments!

There is something for every one: prehistoric cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon, the mountain scenery and geology of Sunset Crater Volcano, and the painted desert landscape and masonry pueblos of Wupatki National Monument.

Ancient Indians undoubtedly witnessed the eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano in A.D.1065 which blanketed the region with black cinder. Today the volcano's rim of red cinders and the lava flows near the cone seem to have cooled and hardened to a jagged surface only yesterday. Squeeze-ups and hornitos are just two of the fascinating volcanic features you'll encounter while exploring the park. To protect this fragile resource, Sunset Crater Volcano is closed to climbing and hiking. However, other cinder cones in the area may be climbed.

Sunset Crater Volcano is often confused with another nearby attraction, Meteor Crater. At Sunset Crater Volcano you will see a cinder cone rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape. Meteor Crater, located 35 miles east of Flagstaff on I-40, is an impact crater measuring over 500 feet deep and 1 mile across.

Arizona does not observe daylight savings. You are on Mountain Standard Time. Leave Flagstaff with a full tank of gas and food as there are no services at the monuments.

ACREAGE

Federal: 3,040

VISITATION

200,000

ADDRESS

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Route 3 Box 149
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004

TELEPHONE

520/526-0502

OPERATING HOURS AND SEASONS

The park is open year round. The Visitor Center is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended hours possible during the summer season. REMINDER: ARIZONA IS ON MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME YEAR ROUND

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

Be prepared for abrupt weather changes in any season. Expect windy conditions most of the year. Spring is usually mild but heavy snowfall can occur. Summer days are warm with temperatures in the eighties. Afternoon thunderstorms likely July to September. In winter, snow and freezing temperatures alternate with mild weather.

DIRECTIONS

From Flagstaff, take U.S. 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right on the Sunset Crater - Wupatki Loop Road and continue 2 miles (3 km) to the visitor center.

TRANSPORTATION

To Park: by personal vehicle or tour bus. Nearest commercial airport is located in Flagstaff, Arizona.

In Park: Personal Vehicle, biking, hiking.

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessible restrooms are located at the Lava Flow Nature Trail. The visitor center and portions of the Lava Flow Trail are accessible.

FEES

Entrance fees that include both Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano are $3 per person (16 and under free). Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports are accepted. Commercial tour fees are charged according to vehicle capacity: 1-6 $30, 7-25 $45, 26 or more $100. Fees are collected at Sunset Crater Volcano.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Picnic areas and vending machines only. No other services.

Bonito Campground is located across from the visitor center and generally open from late May through mid-October. Maximum vehicle size is 35 feet, no hookups, $10 per night. For further information call the U.S. Forest Service at 520-526-0866. Overnight accommodations, food, supplies, and gasoline are available in Flagstaff (14 miles/22 km). Flagstaff Visitor Center: 1-800-842-7293.

RESERVATIONS / PERMITS

Inquire at the visitor center.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS

Hike one of our many trails or stop and take in a program given by park rangers.

Allow at least 1 hour to stop at the visitor center and hike the Lava Flow Trial; To hike Lenox Crater cinder cone allow another 45 minutes.

SPECIAL EVENTS / PROGRAMS

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

The Visitor Center has many exhibits and book sales.

Trails: The 1 mile (1.6 km)

Lava Flow Trail

, with a 1/3 mile, 500 meter cutoff, is a self-guided loop exploring a variety of volcanic formations.

The

Lenox Crater Trail

provides an opportunity to climb a cinder cone. This steep trail is 1mile (1.6 km) round trip and requires about 30 minutes up and 15 minutes down!

Backcountry hiking is allowed except on Sunset Crater Volcano. Inquire at the Visitor Center. Use extreme caution hiking on lava - it is sharp, brittle, and unstable.

Programs, Activities:

These programs are generally offered June, July, and August but are subject to change. Please ask as other programs may be scheduled.

Lava Walk

: Daily, 45 minutes, check visitor center for times. Investigate cinder cones, squeeze- ups, and more! Meet at the contact station at the Lava Flow Trail parking area.

Evening Program

: 1 hour campfire talk at Bonito Campground Amphitheater. Check visitor center for time and topic.

Lodging and Camping Facilities:

Food and Supplies:

None inside the monument.

VISITOR IMPACTS

Pets are not allowed in buildings, on trails, in the backcountry, or tied to any objects. They may be exercised in parking areas on a leash. Summer temperatures may be fatal to pets in closed vehicles.

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