This 73-Mile Arizona Scenic Drive Winds Through An Abandoned Village And Ancient Volcano
Hikes are great and all, but sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy Arizona’s boundless beauty from the comfort of your vehicle. There’s no better place to do just that than the 73-mile Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments Scenic Drive, which cuts through the Painted Desert en route to two of our state’s most iconic wonders.
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The entire loop is just over 70 miles long, which means it only takes about an hour to complete.
The impressive structure features more than 100 rooms and has remained surprisingly intact over the past near-millennium of weathering the harsh desert elements.
You'll be amazed by the plethora of well-preserved archaeological sites that have earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
It hasn't erupted in nearly 1,000 years and is considered extinct, so visitors are allowed.
You'll be whisked back to ancient times as you traverse the ashen landscape that's just beginning to burst forth with new life.
It's truly a sight to see, so stop and smell the roses before heading on.
You can practically see to the ends of the earth from here!
To learn more about the drive, visit its page on AllTrails.
Have you ever taken this epic scenic drive? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below! Check out our previous article for another scenic drive in Arizona that isn’t too far from this one.
Address: 6082 Sunset Crater Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA
Address: 25137 N Wupatki Ln, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA
