| Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument ((in)Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category | III (Natural monument) |
| Location | |
 35 ° 21 ′ 57 ″ N 111 ° 32 ′ 1 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a nationa monumentl located in Arizona to United States..
Understand
About a thousand years ago, an earthquake followed by a volcanic eruption profoundly changed the landscape in this region near Flagstaff. The volcano remains today a crater and hardened lava that allowed the development of specific vegetation in the surroundings.
To go
By plane
- 1 Flagstaff Pulliam Airport 6200 South Pulliam Drive, Flagstaff,
1 928 556-1234 – Airport Flagstaff is the closest to the park. Some domestic lines serve this airport, only from and to Phoenix. - 2 Phoenix Syk Harbor Airport 3400 East Sky Harbor Boulevard, Phoenix, 1 602 273-3300 – The closest international airport to the park is that of Phoenix. From there it is possible to join Flagstaff by a domestic flight or to take the car for a journey lasting approximately 2 h.
By car
The site is located on the territory of the city of Flagstaff, northeast of the urban part, along the US-89 road.
From I-40, take exit 201 then follow US-89 northbound.
From the I-17 highway, head north until the end of the highway. Then take the I-40 highway heading east, then exit 201.
Circulate
Entrance fee
As for any place falling under the system of united states national parks, an entrance fee is charged for access to the park. He wakes up at 20 $ by vehicle and allows access to the park and Wupatki national monument for 7 consecutive days. One pass annual is available for 40 $ and the pass annual inter-agency (interagency annual pass) which gives access for one year (in addition to the current month) to all parks under the American national park system is accepted and sold at the price of 80 $ within the park.
By car
It is possible to cross the Park by car and thus get as close as possible to the remarkable places which can be reached after a short walk.
Walk
Many paths and paths are arranged in order to explore the park on foot.
To see
- 1 Information center (visitor center) , 1 928 526-0502
November to May: Mon.- Sun. : 9 h - 17 h ; June to October: Mon.- Sun. : 8 h - 17 h. – Located at the entrance to the Park, the information center provides all the information on the free activities offered by the guides (tidy) and advice tailored to individual needs. An exhibition space allows you to discover how volcanoes work. The information center also has a bookstore area, toilets and picnic tables. - 2 Lenox Crater – This crater, well before the main crater of the site, is the remainder of a volcano that erupted several hundred thousand years before that of Sunset crater. It was subsequently covered by volcanic ash from the volcano Sunset crater then by the vegetation which has resumed its rights. Today its main form is still visible but the reliefs are marked by erosion, its height is only 76 m.
View on Sunset craterVolcano - 3 Sunset crater – Having given its name to the Park, this volcano whose cone still visible reaches the height of 305 m erupted about 1 000 years. The landscape has been profoundly modified, not only by the presence of volcanic stones, but also by the presence of specific vegetation. The crater can be approached by taking the marked trails for this purpose, but it is forbidden to climb it, for the sake of preservation.
November to May: Mon.- Sun. : 
Do
Tourist route
- 1 Loop Road – The US-395 road allows you to cross the Park and stop at a few viewpoints in order to have a global overview of the region.
Walk and hike
- 2 A'a Trail – This very easy trail from a distance of 300 m allows you to walk on basaltic lava blocks that formed more than 900 years.
- 3 Lenox Crater Trail – This difficult trail with a length of 2,6 km allows you to climb the volcano Lenox Crater while enjoying views of the volcano Sunset crater and the surrounding peaks.
- 4 Lava flow trail – This trail of varying length 500 m To 1,6 km (depending on the branches taken) allows you to walk at the foot of the volcano Sunset crater and to have information on the formation of volcanoes thanks to information panels distributed along the way.
- 5 Bonito Vista Trail – This easy trail with a length of 1,1 km, accessible to people with reduced mobility, crosses a field of ash left by the volcano and allows to have a panoramic view of the lava flow left by the volcano Sunset crater.
To buy
- Information center (visitor center) – The information center has a shop where you can buy souvenirs and documentation on the Park.
Eat
The Park being small, no catering offer is offered within its enclosure. However, it is possible to use one of the picnic areas to enjoy a meal. Restrooms are available near each picnic area.
- 1 Information center picnic area
- 2 Lava Flow picnic area
Have a drink / Go out
The Park being small, there is no place to have a drink or go out.
Housing
Hotels
There is no hotel within the grounds of the Park, but the town of Flagstaff, located in the immediate vicinity, has a substantial hotel offer.
Camping
- 1 Bonito Campground , 1 928 526-0866
24 $ the night. – Located near the information center, this campsite open from late March to early October has 44 pitches with table, barbecue, drinking water and toilets.
Around
- Walnut Canyon National Monument – Canyon with curved rock formations in which the Sinagua tribe established cave habitat until XIIIe century.
- Sedona – City known for its red rocks and vortex, telluric places that would have beneficial properties.
- Grand canyon national park – One of the most famous parks in the United States with its impressive canyon for its size and depth.
- Winslow – City known for its crater left by a meteorite several thousand years ago.
