Sunset Crater Volcano Activities

Hike one of the two trails or stop and take in a program given by park rangers. Allow at least 1 hour to stop at the Visitor Center and hike the Lava FLow Trail. To hike the Lenox Crater cinder cone allow an additional 45 minutes.

Lava Flow Trail is a 1-mile (1.6km) loop trail with a .25 mile (500m) accessible loop. It is a self-guided trail exploring a variety of volcanic formations.

The Lenox Crater Trail provides an opportunity to climb a cinder cone. This steep trail is 1-mile (1.6km) round trip and requires about 30 minutes up and 15 minutes down!

Please stay on designated trails. Backcountry hiking is not allowed in order to protect fragile natural resources. Use extreme caution hiking near lava - it is sharp, brittle, and unstable.

Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. They are not allowed in buildings or on park trails.

Check out a Discovery Pack

Become a naturalist for a day. Discovery Packs contain binoculars, a magnifying lens, field guides, sketching materials and more, to help you explore the monument. There's also a Field Journal with activities and places to record your observations. Although designed with families in mind, Discovery Packs can be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of curiosity.

Discovery Packs are for use in all 3 Flagstaff Area National Monuments (Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Wupatki). You can borrow one at the visitor center, then return it (at any of the 3 monument visitor centers) at the end of your visit. The Field Journal is yours to keep. There is no charge.