Agnostik
National Monument · AZ

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the people who lived here. A thousand years later, trees and flowers grow among the rocks, and people visit the lava flow to see and remember the most recent volcanic eruption in Arizona.

nps.gov ↗

Photos

a cinder cone volcano and ponderosa pine trees
Sunset Crater Volcano is named for the color of the rusty red cinders near its peak.
a jagged field of lava beneath a cinder cone volcano
Three trails allow visitors to explore the Bonito Lava Flow.
a massive volcano rising behind a smaller, tree-covered volcano in the foreground
Sunset Crater Volcano is the most recent eruption in the San Francisco volcanic field. Visitors can climb Lenox Crater, foreground, for excellent views of the field, including the San Francisco Peaks.
a small ponderosa pine tree in a field of rolling cinder hills
Geologists and biologists study the area surrounding Sunset Crater Volcano to better understand how landscapes recover after an eruption.
tall pine trees grow beneath the Sunset Crater Volcano cinder cone
On warm days, the bark of ponderosa pine trees smells like vanilla or butterscotch.
A reddish cinder cone volcano standing above a meadow of dry grass
One of the best views of Sunset Crater Volcano is from Bonito Park on the entrance road
A snow-covered cinder cone and lava flow under a clear blue sky
A dusting of snow adds depth and color to the stark landscape of the lava flow

Activities

  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store