Sunset Crater National MonumentFlagstaff, Arizona
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Rating |
Excellent |
Age |
2 and up |
Lockers |
Not Needed |
Restrooms |
At Visitors Center |
Food |
In Flagstaff |
Closest Coffee |
Flagstaff has a few coffee shops, plan ahead. |
Recommendation |
This is a landscape like I have never seen. (We are from Michigan) The old lava flows were amazing. |
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Review: by Sam
Sunset Crater National Monument is literally in the middle of nowhere. Located about thirty miles out of Flagstaff, it is one of the oldest and most unique of the national monuments. A director from Hollywood wanted to fill it with explosives and film it so he could have a scene where a volcano was erupting. To protect this wonderful area, the federal government made it a National Monument. Sunset Crater is home to an extinct volcano with many ancient lava flows.
Additional Review:
Will: The lava flows were amazing. You could walk down into them and they were way over our heads.
Dad: SCNM has a great Visitors Center that explains the history of this area. Until we were standing in the park we did not know that all of the mountains in the area were extinct volcanos. The path is pretty short and not very demanding for kids or tired parents. The landscape was otherworldly, and the 1000 year old lava flows were incredible. Also, the area is so harsh that the trees grow in a spiral so that they are able to get water from any root to all of the tree. The fallen trees show this clearly. Plan at least 2 hours for the walk as there is much to see, and when you are finished you can drive into the Painted Desert to see Sunset Crater's sister park, Wupatki National Monument.