Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
AZ

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Hours

Open 24 hours

Entrance Fee

$25.00

Entrance - Private Vehicle

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Sunset Crater Volcano at a glance

Best time
March–May, October–November
Trip length
Half day–1 day
Don't miss
Main Sunset Crater Volcano highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
Nearby city
Flagstaff, AZ

Explore this park

About Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

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.

1 current NPS alert

  • Park Closure: Road Closure: Sunset Crater Volcano September 21 through October 30

Source: National Park Service (as of Oct 30, 2026). Official Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument page on nps.gov

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.

Entrance Fees

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$100.00

Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 16+ individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

Commercial Entrance - Van

$40.00

Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 7-15 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

$28.00

Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 1-6 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$25.00

This pass covers the pass holder and up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments for 1-7 days.

Entrance - Motorcycle

$20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers to both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument.

Entrance - Per Person

$15.00

Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting the facility without a private vehicle. Good for both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments for 1-7 days. A pass is not required for individuals 15 or younger.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

$15.00

The per person fee is charged for non-commercial groups up to the point that it exceeds the cost of the commercial rate for the same size vehicle.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Free

Bona fide educational institutions visiting for non-recreational purposes whose visit pertains directly to established curriculum are exempt from paying entry fees. Apply for an educational fee waiver at least 4 weeks in advance by submitting an educational fee waiver. Please see the below link to access the waiver.

Operating Hours

Park Hours

The Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is open every day. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The roads and trails are open 24/7, with occasional closures for fire season or winter weather.

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
  • WednesdayAll Day
  • ThursdayAll Day
  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$45.00

Admits the passholder, passenger of one motorcycle, or occupants of a single, non-commercial vehicle at Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monuments for 1 year.

Common questions

Planning Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Sunset Crater Volcano. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.