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| Sunset Crater National Monument. Courtesy: National Park Service. |
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| Sunset Crater National Monument & Wupatki National Monument Map Courtesy: National Park Service. Photos Taken March 16, 2010. |
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| Sunset Crater National Monument. Flagstaff, Arizona. Photos Taken March 16, 2010. |
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The Sunset Crater National Monument is a United States National Monument located about 30 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona in the beautiful high desert region west of the Little Colorado River and the Navajo Nation. It was established by President Herbert Hoover on May 26, 1930, to preserve its geologic formations. A Google Earth Map search marks the Sunset Crater of the Sunset Crater National Monument at about: 35o 21' 49.79" N 111o 30' 09.13" W. At about 7,736 feet elevation. A Google Earth Map search marks the Parking Area of the Sunset Crater National Monument Visitor Center at about: 35o 21' 45.91" N 111o 31' 06.89" W. At about 6,970 feet elevation. Sometime between 1040 and 1100, a series of eruptions occured over the dormant San Francisco Volcanic Field. Such an eruption was certainly witnessed by the local anasazi & sinagua people in the area. After the San Francisco Volcanic Field grew quiet again, a wonderful example of a cinder cone, the Sunset Crater Volcano, loomed dramatically over an altered land of lava flows and cinders. The ash and cinder even improved the condition of the soil in the surrounding area which may have created an increase in local populations of the anasazi & sinagua people due to better crop production. The Sunset Crater Volcano represents the youngest, least-eroded cinder cone in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. When visiting the area; much of the ground surface is covered by lava flows or deep volcanic cinder deposits; at first glance, but within its dramatic geologic features you will see small islands of pine and aspen trees, many desert shrubs, and numerous wildflowers.
Sunset Crater National Monument Visitor Center:
The scenic drive and trails are open all year, from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open all year, except December 25.
Hours:
NOTE: Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Sunset Crater National Monument stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions: snow in winter, hot sun in summer with afternoon thunderstorms from Mid June To Mid September. Especially during spring, strong gusty winds on the rim and/or in the canyon. Pets are not allowed on the trails, in the backcountry, in buildings, or tied to objects in the area. They are welcome in the parking areas on a leash. Warning: Summer temperatures may be fatal to pets left in vehicles. How To Get There: From Phoenix. Take I-17 North. On I-17, Take exit 340A to merge onto I-40 E toward Albuquerque 5.6 miles. Then take exit 201 toward US-89 N/Page 0.3 mile. Then turn left at Country Club Dr 0.4 mile. Then take the ramp onto US-89 N 11.9 miles. Then turn right at Co Rd 395/Fire Rd 545 & continue to follow Co Rd 395/Fire Rd 545 3.2 miles. Then you are at the Visitor Center. The trip is about 163 miles and takes about 2 hours 48 minutes from Phoenix. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 11.9 miles, turn right onto Forest Service Rd. 545, at the sign for Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Go 3.2 miles east on Forest Service Rd. 545 to the Visitor Center. We have enjoyed this beautiful place since about 1945.
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If you are planning to visit Sunset Crater National Monument. And if you are coming from outside of Arizona, you could fly into Flagstaff, Arizona and then rent a car. You also could fly into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive the 144 miles to Flagstaff. Take the I-17 north to Flagstaff. I-17 will end and turn into Milton Road, leading you into Flagstaff. A trip of 144 miles (232 km) - 2 hours. There is a Sky Harbor - Flagstaff flight that can be arranged. There is also a Sky Harbor - Flagstaff shuttle. There are many hotels and motels in both areas and if you need a place to stay; expedia.com can arrange that for you. We have some links to Expedia.com on this page since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car. In addition, you may need to purchase some outdoor camping gear and clothing. We also have some links to Altrec.com on this page since they are a good online source for any outdoor camping gear and clothing that you may need. We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active.
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| Cinder Cone Sunset Crater National Monument | Lava Flow Sunset Crater National Monument |
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