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Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Description and Directions >>

Description:
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument near Flagstaff, Arizona is an interesting study of historical volcanic activity in this area. A visitors center provides more information on the history and geology. Hiking trails of various lengths are located throughout the park. A 35-mile loop road connects two parks: Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

Activities:
sightseeing, hiking, history

Directions:
From Flagstaff, AZ take U.S 89 north for 12 miles, turn right on the Sunset Crater - Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles to the visitor center.

Story Date 4/11/2005
Publish Date 12/27/2005

Story Perspectives >>

According to Mikala: Once again I was completely awed by Mother Nature! During our trip around Arizona, we visited Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. I had no idea something like this existed in this area. We have been to Hawaii's Volcano National Park, and the sights that we saw in Arizona were very similar.

We drove a 35-mile loop road that took us through the Sunset Crater area and on to the other monument...Wupatki. This was a great drive. We saw very few other visitors during our time here. It was very peaceful. Very soon after leaving the visitors center, we came across the Bonito Lava Flow, which occurred in 1180. The area is covered with hard, black volcanic rock. A little further on, we hiked the short (1-mile) Lava Flow Trail, which allowed us to view the Sunset Crater cinder cone from the base. The beauty of the various black volcanic rock formations was amazing, especially when contrasted with the snow covered mountains in the distance.

As we continued on the road, we stopped for more views of different cinder cones at the Cinder Hills Overlook. According the the literature, the last volcanic activity occurred around 1250.

We continued on the road to Wupatki National Monument, which contained ruins of the people who lived in this area during the volcanic activity. Very interesting!