This Arizona Roadside Park Attraction Is Worth a Stop Just for the Views

In Northern Arizona, off Highway 89, just about 30 minutes outside Flagstaff, there’s a fascinating roadside attraction worth stopping for—the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This storied natural landmark is more than 1,000 years old. Its eruption is said to have occurred around the year 1085, displacing the Native people who lived on the land at the time, forever altering the landscape around them. 

The Earth ripped open, transforming the landscape into a sea of hot lava, which cooled into hypnotizing black rock. This is the most recent eruption to have occurred in Arizona, and it’s open to the public for visitation today. This park is the youngest volcano of around 600 volcanic features in the San Francisco Volcanic Field.

The eruption that created Sunset Crater produced two lava flows, called the Bonito Lava Flow (the more accessible of these two flows, which is mainly within the boundaries of the monument) and the Kana'a Lava Flow, which is east of the monument’s boundaries. Within the monument itself, you can walk along the numerous trails, drive through the park for a scenic self-guided auto-tour, or pause at one of the scenic overlooks to ponder Mother Nature. The entrance fee is $25 for a private vehicle unless you have a National Parks pass. Visitors should beware that cell phone service isn’t reliable once you’re inside the park, so plan ahead. 

Visiting the Park

I visited this park on a road trip between Phoenix and Santa Fe, and it felt to me like someplace straight out of a Sci-Fi novel. I brought my dog with me because the park is pet-friendly on specific trails, and we enjoyed exploring this fascinating and historic outdoor space. Backcountry hiking is not allowed at this park, in an effort to protect the wildlife and conserve the land, but there are plenty of well-marked, public trails to follow. 

The Lava Flow Trail is a straightforward, accessible pathway that’s pet-friendly on the paved portion of the trail. There’s even a pet station with waste bags at the trailhead. It’s about one total in distance and takes about an hour to complete the entire thing. The accessible upper 0.25 miles of the loop has a paved, concrete surface that’s wheelchair and stroller-friendly. 

The Bonito Vista Trail is another pathway accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. This 0.3-mile journey traverses a field of cinders and boasts a panoramic view of the Bonito Lava Flow on a round-trip trek of about 15-20 minutes. 

We also drove up to the Cinder Hills Overlook, which was an excellent spot for taking a few breathtaking photos. We visited the monument in November, and it was very windy at the overlook. I’d recommend bringing a jacket as the weather in the mountains can change very quickly. 

Other Nearby Roadside Attractions

Those interested in exploring other local natural attractions in Arizona should know that there are three Flagstaff Area National Monuments. The other two are Wupatki and Walnut Canyon. Each of these is about 30 minutes from Sunset Crater.

Visiting the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument was a nice, easy roadside pitstop on our drive to see some spectacular natural views. I learned a great deal about the area's history and the volcanic eruption, which left me wanting to explore more and become educated about the history of the land in this part of Arizona. 

If you're an Arizona-based nature enthusiast, don't miss exploring this state park, which is just as spectacular as any national park. Or, if you're searching for other road trip roadside attractions to check out to stretch your legs on an Arizona road trip, this beautiful, underrated Arizona National Park can also be an excellent spot to explore some history and get some fresh air.