Arizona’s canyons and mountain ranges are among the most distinctive landscapes of the state, but there is another geologic formation found in several places in Arizona that is also fun to explore: volcanoes and volcano fields.
At Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument near Flagstaff, you’ll find several hiking trails through lava fields, each with breathtaking views of cinder cones and craters.
TripAdvisor/robigail
TripAdvisor/Ed D The most recent volcano eruption here took place a mere 933 years ago. Imagine what would happen if it erupted again! Rest easy, scientists say we shouldn’t have to worry about that in our lifetime. Sunset Crater, the tallest cinder cone in this park is 1000 feet high. During the last eruption, it spewed hot lava 900 feet into the air. As it came back down, it formed the cinder cone, lava fields,and piles of crushed lava cinder you’ll find at this park.
The National Park Service lists five adventurous trails ranging from .02 to 3.4 miles, each giving a little different experience.
TripAdvisor/emlazo
National Park Service The lava cinders spread all around Sunset Crater Volcano park vary in size and shape. And smattered throughout, native flora miraculously sprouts up through the cinders, breathing life into a once burned and barren landscape.
Portions of the trails throughout the park are a hard surface walking path. Educational kiosks are scattered all around proving information about the park and using illustrations to demonstrate points of interest.
alltrails/Dave Hanke
TripAdvisor/Freido90 But you won’t need any help finding what’s right under your own two feet: tiny crushed volcano cinders that are possibly less than a thousand years old.
The National Park Service maintains a visitor center at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
TripAdvisor/capitollover
National Park Service It’s open year-round (except Christmas Day) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Above is a park map showing the five trails where you can further explore this adventurous spot in Arizona.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is located at 6082 Sunset Crater Road, Flagstaff AZ, 86004. Entrance fee for one vehicle is $25. Other entry fees (bikes, pedestrians, motorcycles, buses) are listed at this link. For more information, visit the official website of the National Park Service.
TripAdvisor/robigail
TripAdvisor/Ed D
The most recent volcano eruption here took place a mere 933 years ago. Imagine what would happen if it erupted again! Rest easy, scientists say we shouldn’t have to worry about that in our lifetime. Sunset Crater, the tallest cinder cone in this park is 1000 feet high. During the last eruption, it spewed hot lava 900 feet into the air. As it came back down, it formed the cinder cone, lava fields,and piles of crushed lava cinder you’ll find at this park.
TripAdvisor/emlazo
National Park Service
The lava cinders spread all around Sunset Crater Volcano park vary in size and shape. And smattered throughout, native flora miraculously sprouts up through the cinders, breathing life into a once burned and barren landscape.
alltrails/Dave Hanke
TripAdvisor/Freido90
But you won’t need any help finding what’s right under your own two feet: tiny crushed volcano cinders that are possibly less than a thousand years old.
TripAdvisor/capitollover
It’s open year-round (except Christmas Day) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Above is a park map showing the five trails where you can further explore this adventurous spot in Arizona.
If you love exploring volcanoes, check out this lava tube cave found in Arizona!
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