Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Lava flowed in 1200 A.D. at Sunset Crater Sunset Crater Volcano and the adjacent Wupatki national monuments are often overlooked by tourists eager to get to Grand Canyon National Park. But visitors would be wise to take a little extra time to include these parks in their itinerary. Instead of driving on U.S. 180 or State Route 64 to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, take U.S. 89 out of Flagstaff a dozen miles north to Sunset Crater and then on to Wupatki. This scenic detour adds about an hour of extra driving time but the rewards are many. That includes a scenic first look at the South Rim at Desert Watchtower from the park's eastern entrance. (Grand Canyon's east entrance reopened April 8, 2021 after being closed for the past year because of Covid-19 restrictions.) Sunset Crater erupted around 1200 A.D. and is the most recent event in the 3,000-square-mile San Francisco Volcanic Field. Hike |
in a lava field, get close to the cinder cone of 8,039-foot Sunset Crater and learn about the area's geology at the Visitor Center. Bonito Campground has sites shaded by tall Ponderosa pines. It's open from May to October. Vehicles are limited to 40 feet or less and there are no trailer hookups or showers.
The 35-mile (56-kilometer) scenic loop road offers views of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, mesas of the Wupatki Basin and Painted Desert. It's generally lightly traveled and carries far less traffic than U.S. 89. It descends about 2,000 feet from Sunset Crater to Wupatki. The road is popular with cyclists. Admission is $25 per vehicle, allowing entry to both Sunset Crater and Wupatki national monuments. Established: 1930 Elevation: 6,960 at Visitor Center; 8,039 Sunset Crater Annual visitation: 54,787* (Months-long wildfire closure) Wupataki National Monument is 15 minutes away: http://www.ontheroadarizona.com/wupatki.html |