Nice short accessible route gets you to some good views. Note that you cannot "look into the crater" without doing a much longer hike. The short routes get you near the sides of the base of the cone and the lava flows. Can continue north (by car) to get to Waptki.

Sunset Crater Monument is under-rated. I found it an amazing place. The lava field was unlike any place I've visited. The hike up Lenox was a bit challenging as it is very steep and all ciders so the footing is loose; but again, so different. Hiking near Sunset Crater had both a paved loop and an unpaved longer loop; all... More

My family & I were traveling from Las Vegas to Albuquerque with side a side trip to Sedona. We had wanted to see the meteor crater (next time), but after spending the day in Sedona we couldn't make it in time before the visitor center closed. So we opted for the Senset crater. So glad we did. It was easy... More

Sunset Crater has a nice visitor center with clean bathrooms. There is a loop road that also goes through Wupatki National Monument. It was really neat to see the lava flows. If you want to get in a bit of hiking there are several great short trips, both paved with wheelchair access, and strenuous up about 400 feet in lava... More

We start at Sunset and make our way to Wupatki. It's a nice drive and I enjoy the visitor's center. The people in the center are friendly and knowledgable.

We didn't know quite what to expect driving to Sunset Crater. Maybe a few more signs with some history of the area would be helpful. We enjoyed seeing the lava fields. We didn't drive the whole drive, as it was long and seemed to be all the same. If you have time, swing through and take a look at the... More

We whizzed by this park years ago leaving the Grand Canyon. So glad that we stopped this time. What a variety of sights and experiences. The visitors centers for both the volcano and the Wupatki Indian Pueblo Ruins were informative, helpful and staffed with friendly staff and volunteers. The variety of walks and hikes that were available were good for... More

Not far out of Flagstaff but definitely worth the ride. I didn't know what to expect but what I saw was pretty amazing. Lava and Ash from a volcano almost 1,000 years ago. It could have been 20 years ago from the looks of it. Amazing as to how big it was. Beautiful views of the painted desert and San... More

Crater was unbelievable. Must see if you are anywhere near Flagstaff. This area is like nothing you have ever seen before. Well worth the half hour drive.