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.
Sunset Crater Volcano
Sunset Crater Volcano is named for the color of the rusty red cinders near its peak.
Sunset Crater and Bonito Lava Flow
Three trails allow visitors to explore the Bonito Lava Flow.
Lenox Crater and the San Francisco Peaks
Sunset Crater Volcano is the most recent eruption in the San Francisco volcanic field. Visitors can climb Lenox Crater, foreground, for excellent views of the field, including the San Francisco Peaks.
Lone Ponderosa
Geologists and biologists study the area surrounding Sunset Crater Volcano to better understand how landscapes recover after an eruption.
Ponderosas Reaching Skyward
On warm days, the bark of ponderosa pine trees smells like vanilla or butterscotch.
Sunset Crater over Bonito Park
One of the best views of Sunset Crater Volcano is from Bonito Park on the entrance road
Sunset Crater in winter
A dusting of snow adds depth and color to the stark landscape of the lava flow
