Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Arizona
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. Expect high winds any time of year. Summer temperatures are often above 95ºF (35ºC) and we have afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are common in the winter. Dress in layers, as weather at Sunset Crater Volcano can change quickly at any time of year.
🚗 Directions
From Flagstaff, travel north on US Highway 89; from Page and the east entrance of the Grand Canyon, travel south on Highway 89. Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments are both on the loop road FR-545, which meets Highway 89 near mile markers 430 (Sunset Crater Volcano) and 444 (Wupatki).
Images
Sunset Crater Volcano is named for the color of the rusty red cinders near its peak.
Credit: NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz
Three trails allow visitors to explore the Bonito Lava Flow.
Credit: NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz
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.
Credit: NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz
Geologists and biologists study the area surrounding Sunset Crater Volcano to better understand how landscapes recover after an eruption.
Credit: NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz
On warm days, the bark of ponderosa pine trees smells like vanilla or butterscotch.
Credit: NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz
One of the best views of Sunset Crater Volcano is from Bonito Park on the entrance road
Credit: NPS / Owen Ellis
A dusting of snow adds depth and color to the stark landscape of the lava flow
Credit: NPS / Owen Ellis
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, May 15
Sunny
High: 72°F | Low: 51.9°F
Humidity: 23%
Wind: 15.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 10.6
Sunrise: 05:23 AM
Sunset: 07:25 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (5%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 45.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, May 16
Sunny
High: 66.7°F | Low: 49.7°F
Humidity: 27%
Wind: 22.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 10.5
Sunrise: 05:22 AM
Sunset: 07:25 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 43.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, May 17
Sunny
High: 62.9°F | Low: 44.7°F
Humidity: 34%
Wind: 28.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 9.2
Sunrise: 05:21 AM
Sunset: 07:26 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 39.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (4)
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 10:59AM MST until May 16 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Effective: May 15, 2026 1:59pm
Expires: May 16, 2026 8:00pm
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff AZ has issued a Red Flag
Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity in effect from
11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to 8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Sunday.
* WHAT...For the first Red Flag Warning, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph
with gusts up to 40 mph, Relative Humidity between 9 to 17 percent,
and for the second Red Flag Warning, southwest winds 20 to 30 mph
with gusts up to 50 mph, Relative Humidity between 10 to 23
percent.
* WHERE...Little Colorado River Valley, Kaibito Plateau, Painted
Desert, Eastern Mogollon Rim, and Black Mesa Area. This includes
portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino national forests.
* WHEN...For the first Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to
8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Saturday. For the second Red Flag Warning, from
11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to 8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Rapid spread and growth of any new or existing fires.
Fires will have the potential to exhibit extreme fire behavior.
Elevated potential for new fire starts.
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 10:59AM MST until May 16 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Effective: May 15, 2026 1:59pm
Expires: May 16, 2026 8:00pm
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph,
Relative Humidity between 13 to 21 percent.
* WHERE...Coconino Plateau, Western Mogollon Rim, and Yavapai County
Mountains. This includes portions of the Coconino, Kaibab, and
Prescott national forests.
* WHEN...From 11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to 8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Rapid spread and growth of any new or existing fires.
Fires will have the potential to exhibit extreme fire behavior.
Elevated potential for new fire starts.
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 10:59AM MST until May 17 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Effective: May 15, 2026 1:59pm
Expires: May 16, 2026 8:00pm
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff AZ has issued a Red Flag
Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity in effect from
11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to 8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Sunday.
* WHAT...For the first Red Flag Warning, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph
with gusts up to 40 mph, Relative Humidity between 9 to 17 percent,
and for the second Red Flag Warning, southwest winds 20 to 30 mph
with gusts up to 50 mph, Relative Humidity between 10 to 23
percent.
* WHERE...Little Colorado River Valley, Kaibito Plateau, Painted
Desert, Eastern Mogollon Rim, and Black Mesa Area. This includes
portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino national forests.
* WHEN...For the first Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to
8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Saturday. For the second Red Flag Warning, from
11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to 8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Rapid spread and growth of any new or existing fires.
Fires will have the potential to exhibit extreme fire behavior.
Elevated potential for new fire starts.
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 10:59AM MST until May 17 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Effective: May 15, 2026 1:59pm
Expires: May 16, 2026 8:00pm
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff AZ has issued a Red Flag
Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity.
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph,
Relative Humidity between 11 to 24 percent.
* WHERE...Chinle Valley, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau, Grand
Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Marble and Glen Canyons, and White
Mountains. This includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and
Kaibab national forests.
* WHEN...From 11 AM MST /noon MDT/ to 8 PM MST /9 PM MDT/ Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Rapid spread and growth of any new or existing fires.
Fires will have the potential to exhibit extreme fire behavior.
Elevated potential for new fire starts.
Park Alerts
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
6082 Sunset Crater Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
🏤 Mailing Address:
6400 U.S. 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
📞 Voice Phone: 928-526-0502
✉️ Email: flag_information@nps.gov