Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument preserves a volcanic cone rising about 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding desert, ringed by expansive fields of dark lava and cinder. The blackened terrain stretches across miles of landscape, creating a stark contrast against the reddish desert soil beyond the eruption zone.

A volcanic eruption in 1085 reshaped the landscape and forced the people living here to adapt how they farmed and lived. The monument was established in 1930 to protect this geological site and the traces of early settlement it contains.

The Sinagua people living in this area adapted their farming after the eruption by using the cinder layer to help their crops retain water. This practical response to landscape change shaped how they continued to live on this land.

A scenic loop road about 34 miles (55 kilometers) long connects this area to the nearby Wupatki National Monument, allowing you to explore both sites in one visit. The visitor center at the entrance provides maps and educational materials to help orient yourself on the grounds.

The dark cinders contain oxidized iron and sulfur that shimmer in red, orange, and purple tones when sunlight hits them at the right angle. This optical effect is most noticeable at sunrise and sunset, which is how the crater earned its name.