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All 51 Flagstaff Attractions »

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

U.S 89 to Sunset Crater - Wupatki Loop road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-526-0502
Ranked #5 of 36 attractions in Flagstaff
4.5 of 5 stars 139 Reviews
Type: National Parks, Volcanos, Monuments/ Statues
Activities: Hiking
Description: Located north of Flagstaff, this crater was created by a volcanic eruption 900 years ago.
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139 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    65
    51
    18
    4
    1
Date Rating
Marietta, Georgia
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

Pictures do not do this place justice. Amazing to see the crater and walk around it on a fairly easy path. More

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See 6 more reviews by GCPAuditor for Flagstaff
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

Sunset Crater Volcano is located about 15-18 miles north of Flagstaff on Rt. 89. We stopped on our way back from Desert View (eastern portion) on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. My wife said that this was one of the most impressive places she has ever been to. It is believed that this volcano, part of the San... More

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See 9 more reviews by bankscottage for Flagstaff
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 3, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I can only imagine the horror of the local native Americans a thousand years ago when the volcano exploded . The accompanying earthquake, earth trembling, darkness, thunder and lightning must have been terrifying. The aftermath is a huge crater, which Mother Nature has now covered with trees and bushes. The lava flow, which goes on for miles is quite extensive.... More

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See 3 more reviews by SantaFeDiva for Flagstaff
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Top Contributor
127 reviews 127 reviews
Reviews in 68 cities Reviews in 68 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 3, 2012

Hike to the Lenox Crater is very steep. With the slope and the elevation (>7000’) and the cinder base, it’s a tough hike for such a short distance. Crater isn’t exciting enough to be worth the hike. Lava Flow Trail was a good hike. Make sure you do the extra section off the paved trail so you can see more... More

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See 3 more reviews by Cindy__31589 for Flagstaff
Jerusalem, Israel
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 3, 2012
2
people found this review helpful

Worth a side trip if you're in the Flagstaff, AZ area. Most have to visit Hawaii to see a lava field, this one is well-preserved and just off the road. The volcano is visibile from a distance, but not too impressive. More

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See 2 more reviews by Hawkeye-490 for Flagstaff
new hampshire
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 1, 2012

We've visited this place 3 years in a row. Gorgeous scenery and amazing history. Great place to take a quiet hike through the park. Very enjoyable. More

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See 2 more reviews by msurtees for Flagstaff
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2012

The crater was pretty far from flagstaff and was pretty lackluster. There wasn't much to do. They don't allow you to climb up the crater, but there are a few trails to walk. More

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tucson
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 27, 2012

Just a remarkable National Monument. Astonishing sight of the remnants of a volcanic eruption 1000 years ago. Easy trails for viewing- very peacful part of the national forest and just outside of Flagstaff. Great views of the San Francisco peaks of flag. More

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See 3 more reviews by cellopicker1 for Flagstaff
LOS ANGELES
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 25, 2012

Just the background on this volcano makes it worth seeing at least once. Especially when one admission grants you access to Wupatki too. More

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See 4 more reviews by KHBUI for Flagstaff
Dallas, Texas
Top Contributor
56 reviews 56 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
24 helpful votes 24 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 25, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This National Monument is an area of non-active volcanos. The landscape is still dominated by lava flows and lava ash areas. This park is also connected to Wupatki National Monument for pueblo ruins. More

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