Timeline
06:34
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Arrive at the monument entrance. The visitor center opens at 9AM in January, but the parking lot and trailheads are accessible before then. Park and prepare your layers; it is cold before dawn.
07:34
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Stand at the edge of the paved loop drive. Watch the sky lighten as the sun rises toward the WSW. The red cinder cone will begin to glow with the first rays of light.
08:19
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Take a short walk along the accessible paved loop or the short trail to the crater rim if you have energy. The light is changing rapidly now.
09:04
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Head back to your car. Check the route to find the nearest coffee shop or breakfast spot in Flagstaff, as there are no food options inside the monument.
Local tip
The monument is open daily from 9AM to 5PM in January. While the entrance station has specific hours, the grounds are generally accessible for sunrise viewing. Bring a headlamp for the walk to your spot in the dark.
Check before you go
- Check the route to Flagstaff for breakfast options after the monument opens at 9AM.
- Temperatures drop significantly before sunrise in January. Dress warmly.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Flagstaff (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).