About Sunset Crater many get its name from the volcanic rim's brilliant red rocks, but there's more to explore see than just the volcano. As you can see on the map of Sunset Crater National Monument (below) all the hiking trailheads are close together, there is only one road through the park, and the campground is across from the visitor center. Examples include: organized group events, weddings, athletic events, First Amendment activities and special assemblies. Both Sunset Crater and Wupatki have visitor centers and feature self-guided as well as interpreter guided tours. Head to the visitor center down the road to learn more about the volcanic history of the region. I know you could have arrived at your winter campground two days earlier, but look at what you would have missed. Animals. Currently Viewing Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Camping. Between 1064 and 1180, Sunset Crater Volcano erupted. The rock formations from the lava flow are very sharp, and protrude in all directions. Elevation is 6,900 feet. Construction of that stone-age condominium began in about A. D. 1120. In addition to Sunset Crater, the ancient Native American cliff dwellings at Wuputki National Monument are nearby. The park has 29 full hookup, 34 electrical, 66 individual tent sites and two group tent areas, as well as 8 rustic yurts. Permits are issued to ensure the protection of resources and to prevent significant disruption of normal visitor uses. Bonito primitive campground at the Sunset Crater visitor center can accommodate rigs to 35 feet and – weather permitting – stays open through October. The campsites are located in a stand of ponderosa pines struggling to establish a foothold in this hostile environment. Fascinating geology with lava and cinders everywhere under tall Ponderosa pines. Shopping in Flagstaff at mall/shopping center, about 10 miles. Also nearby is Wupatki National Monument. You can simply use your smart phone's GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast. Gated entry, private restrooms with showers, laundry, Club House, free WIFI, a Mobil gas station, country store, 2 dog parks and ADA accessible facilities. However, Bonito Campground, operated by the US Forest Service, is located across from the visitor center at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Camping is not permitted within the monument, however Bonito Campground is located across from the Sunset Crater National Monument visitor center, and is … Bonito campground has 44 campsites and is located close to Sunset Crater National Monument in Northern Arizona. Activities. And soon it will be too cold for that excursion. Stretch your legs on the several short trails (each a mile or shorter) and explore this arid volcanic field. Researchers may apply online through the National Park Service Research Permit and Reporting System. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Also nearby is Wupatki National Monument. The Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Road jogs off Hwy 89, loops past Sunset Crater and Wupatki national monuments, and reconnects with Hwy 89 about 18 miles north of the original junction. The centerpiece of this area is a four story masterpiece of Native American stone masonry. Office: (928) 527-3600 So, the location is great. Sunset Crater is an extinct volcano, while Meteor Crater is a meteorite impact site 40 miles southeast of Sunset Crater. Enjoy your winter. The crater is within the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Named for the Bonito Lava Flow which once covered this area 900 years ago, the Bonito Campground is just beyond the boundary of the Sunset Crater National Monument. Location: 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument. That river of liquid rock, now frozen forever, is just one of the many remnants of volcanic activity which lend an otherwordly appearance to this starkly beautiful place. You Can Walk Through A Lava Flow. From Flagstaff it takes 30 min to get to Sunset Crater. MAKE SURE YOUR SITE MEETS YOUR CAMPING NEEDS Permits are NOT generally required for: Visitors engaged in filming or photography intended for their personal use and enjoyment or engaged in filming or photography in an area open to the public. The campground is open from the end of May to mid-October. The park also contains unique geologic features like lava fields and cinder deposits. Though the cinder cones, lava squeeze-ups, lava caves, and petrified rock bubbles that dot the landscape became inactive over a century ago, they all look as if they could have been spurting and spouting just yesterday. The directions are to take U.S. 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right on the Sunset Crater - Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles (3km) to the visitor center at 6082 Sunset Crater Road, Flagstaff AZ, 86004. Camping There is no camping in the monument. Travelers' Choice Meteor Crater's RV Park offers 71 "big-rig friendly" ALL pull-through RV spaces, 3 tent sites and 2 dry camping sites. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs (up to 32 feet), and are set in beautiful Ponderosa forest. Off-road travel between FR 545 and FR 776 is prohibited. Road to Bonito campground and Sunset Crater – Bonito campground (CG) in the Coconino National Forest (NF) is east of Flagstaff, AZ, west of Sunset Crater Volcano and south of the Wupatki National Monument. Meteor Crater is hands down the BEST, easy access on/off the interstate and access to Meteor Crater with discount tickets, a nice little gas station, the sites are shaded and spacious, the grounds are clean and well maintained, spotless bathrooms and laundry room, a great store and hostess. The monument is located just beyond the boundaries of the campground. Turn east (right) on FR 545 (toward Sunset Crater) and drive 2 miles to Bonito Campground Campground at a Glance Nearby Attractions and Activities: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument was established by President Herbert Hoover on May 26, 1930, to protect Sunset Crater and the surrounding geologic formations. View album on Flicker. Bonito Campground is named for the Bonito Lava Flow which oozed across this high desert plain some 900 years ago. District Offices with Campgrounds Near Sunset Crater in Flagstaff, Arizona Scientists estimate Arizona's newest volcano erupted less than 1,000 years ago, sometime between 1040 and 1100, before going dormant. Pets must always be restrained or on a leash. Campground entrance is JUST BEFORE the entrance station of Sunset Crater National Monument. Access to the Cinder Hills OHV area is through the junction of FR 776 and Highway 89. While at Sunset Crater National Monument you can get by without a map in hand because there are maps posted at each of the hiking trails. Camping. Bonito Campground, adjacent to Sunset Crater National Monument, does not have hook-ups, but offers fire-rings, picnic tables and grills. Fax: (928) 527-3620. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 This campground is generally open from late May through mid-October. Birds. The entire campground is first-come, first-served with no reservations available. Visit our Permits Page for more information. The campground gets its name from the Bonito Lava Flow, which oozed out of the base of Sunset Crater Volcano nearly 900 years ago. Supervisor's Office, 1824 S. Thompson St. Map Information. Sunset Crater is a cinder cone located north of Flagstaff in U.S. state of Arizona. There is no direct access between FR 776 and FR 545 (Sunset Crater-Wupatki Scenic Loop Drive). This medium-sized campground has 44 campsites with access to flush toilets and drinking water. When is it open? Hover mouse over photo to display slideshow controls. Climate. The Bonito Campground is just outside the entrance to the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, off a paved road. We have stayed in 7 different RV parks along I-40, Oklahoma to California. The mile-long interpretive trail loop at the base of Sunset Crater … Features so unique that NASA astronauts once used this area to … Situated in one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast, Sunset Bay State Park features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. The facilities are good for a dry-site only campground. The mountains are mainly jet black ash, with regions of rust red and a tree here or there. The one-mile wide, 550 foot-deep crater is about 50,000 years old (once again, young by geologic standards) and is the best-preserved meteorite impact site on Earth. A National Forest Service campground, Bonito Campground is located in the Coconino National Forest on the Sunset Crater Volcano-Wupatki Scenic Drive Loop Road. A special use permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large and requires written authorization and management control in order to protect park resources and the public interest. Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=55072&actid=29, Concessionaire - Contact Flagstaff Ranger District - 928-526-0866, 44 single unit sites with tables, fire rings and cooking grills, paved roads and spurs, One Accessible Campsite, Barrier Free Toilet, Tents, motor homes and trailers under 42' are permitted. The centerpiece of this area is a four story masterpiece of Native American stone masonry. Camping near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a small park, and a convenient detour, on your way to or from Grand Canyon National Park. Campground entrance is JUST BEFORE the entrance station of Sunset Crater … Warm air hitting the Peaks is uplifted and cooled, forming clouds. Precipitation falls as snow in fall and winter and as rain in summer. super campground for visitors of Sunset Crater NM This campground is so close to sunset crater that one of the hikes into the NM starts at the campground. Hotels, Lodging & Camping There is plenty of lodging, including hotels, motels and RV parks, available in the nearby Flagstaff area. Permits are also required for access to areas normally closed to the visiting public and night-time photography. At one time it contained as many as 100 rooms and housed as many as 125 people. The campground is located across from the Visitor Center and is generally open from late May through mid-October. This area of recent volcanic activity is so unique that much of it has been set aside as the Sunset Crater National Monument. Bonito Campground is named for the Bonito Lava Flow which oozed across this high desert plain some 900 years ago. This campground is available for Picnic/day use (10 a.m to 4 p.m.) for a fee of $9.00 up to 5 people. The landscape is hugely interesting. All sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations). Turn east (right) on FR 545 (toward Sunset Crater) and drive 2 miles to Bonito Campground. Accessibility. Each of these activities requires a special use permit that must be acquired in advance. All roads and spurs are paved. Campground amenities include drinking water and flush toilets. Special Use Permits are required for all commercial filming, special gatherings such as weddings, and any back country access. Find a Free Campsite Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we've got you covered. Exact dates vary depending on the year, so call if you plan on camping there in May or October. The monument is located just beyond the boundaries of the campground. Sunset Crater Volcano NM--Bonito Campground Coconino County , Arizona , US — Get Directions All Months Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec All Years Last 10 Years Current Year This area of recent volcanic activity is so unique that much of it has been set aside as the Sunset Crater National Monument. Access: Drive 12 miles northeast of Flagstaff on US 89. Applications require a minimum of 14 days to fully process. addresses & phones, Coconino Nat'l Forest Located at 7000' (2333 m) elevation on the edge of the San Francisco Peaks, the monument is subject to abrupt weather changes. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Camping: Camping is not allowed in the monument, but right across from the visitor center is the Bonito Campground. Commercial Filming / Still Photography Permits. In August 2016, we stayed in our Motorhome at Bonito Campground in Flagstaff, AZ. That river of liquid rock, now frozen forever, is just one of the many remnants of volcanic activity which lend an otherwordly appearance to this starkly beautiful place. Attractions Camping, volcanoes, lava flows, cultural resources, interpretive programs, hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, fall colors, Facilities: 44 single unit sites with tables, fire rings and cooking grills, paved roads and spurs, campfire program auditorium, drinking water, toilets (flush type), One Accessible Campsite, Barrier Free Toilets, Two Educational sites, Map showing recreational areas. If you are looking to stay nearby, then the best bet is to stay in nearby Flagstaff. Maximum vehicle size is 35 feet, no hook-ups. Most applications require a minimum of 14 days to fully process. 78 reviews of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument "My National Parks pass pays for itself here. "Unpredictable" best describes the weather at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Turn east (right) on FR 545 (toward Sunset Crater) and drive 2 miles to Bonito Campground. Sunset crater national monument is right there. Sunset Crater is the youngest in a string of volcanoes (the San Francisco volcanic field) that is related to the nearby San Francisco Peaks. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Lodging: There is no lodging inside of the monument. Generally filming permits are required and are issued for photography, filming, and associated sound recording when they involve props and models, professional crews, and casts or set dressings. If after reading the information from the above links you have questions or not sure a permit is needed, please contact the Special Use Permits Coordinator at nicholas_a_poulos@nps.gov. Use the free Motor Vehicle Use Map, which shows where motorized vehicle travel is legally permitted. Getting there:From the train station in Flagstaff, AZ, take Rte 66 east through town unti…