Trailborn Grand Canyon Blog
Sunset Crater & Wupatki National Monument: An Underrated Day Trip Near the Grand Canyon
A Grand Canyon trip can hold more than one extraordinary landscape. Northeast of Flagstaff, a scenic road links black lava flows and pine forest at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument with the ancient pueblos and wide desert views of Wupatki National Monument. Visit both, and you’ll see two strikingly different sides of Northern Arizona in one day.
For travelers staying in Williams, Sunset Crater and Wupatki make a rewarding outing beyond the South Rim. The route works especially well if you enjoy short walks, frequent photo stops, and places where the landscape has a story to tell.
Planning note for fall 2026: The National Park Service has announced a closure of the southern access to Forest Road 545 from September 21 through approximately October 21. Both monuments remain accessible, but visitors to Sunset Crater must enter through Wupatki and allow extra driving time. Check the current NPS road notice before setting out.
Why Visit Sunset Crater and Wupatki Together?
The appeal is the change in scenery. At Sunset Crater, trails wind past hardened lava and dark cinders beneath a volcanic cone. Continue toward Wupatki and the forest gives way to open, warmer desert, where pueblo sites stand against distant mesas and the Painted Desert.
The monuments are connected by the 35-mile Sunset Crater–Wupatki Scenic Loop Road. The National Park Service estimates about an hour of driving along the loop itself; give yourself substantially longer to walk the trails and explore the pueblos. Outside temporary closures, you can travel through the monuments in either direction.
Start at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sunset Crater is a place to get close to a volcanic landscape without committing to a long hike. The cone rises above fields of cinders and the Bonito Lava Flow, while ponderosa pines bring unexpected color to the scene.
You cannot hike to the summit of Sunset Crater itself. The best way to experience the monument is from its designated trails and viewpoints.
Walk the Lava Flow Trail
If you choose one walk at Sunset Crater, make it the Lava Flow Trail. This one-mile loop passes volcanic features at the base of the cone and gives you time to notice the contrast between rough, dark rock and the plants growing around it. An accessible paved upper loop offers a shorter option. Allow around an hour for the full walk, especially if you plan to stop for photos.
Take in the View from Bonito Vista
Short on time? The paved Bonito Vista Trail is a 0.3-mile round trip across a cinder field, with broad views of the lava flow and surrounding volcanoes. It’s an easy stop to add before continuing toward Wupatki.
Add a Longer Walk if Time Allows
The Lenox Crater Trail offers a more demanding 1.6-mile round trip with views toward the San Francisco Peaks. Trail conditions can change, so check with the visitor center before making it part of your day.
Continue to Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki changes the pace of the day. Here, the focus shifts from volcanic geology to the history of people who lived in this landscape. Several pueblo sites are reached by short, self-guided trails, making it possible to explore more than one without a strenuous hike.
These are places of continuing cultural importance, as well as protected archaeological sites. Stay on designated paths, leave objects where you find them, and give each stop time beyond a quick photograph. Wupatki’s trails are open for self-guided visits from sunrise to sunset.
Visit Wupatki Pueblo
Begin at the visitor center and follow the trail to Wupatki Pueblo, the monument’s namesake site. Its many rooms, ball court, and setting amid the open desert make it a compelling introduction to the area. The walk is approximately half a mile out and back.
Explore Wukoki Pueblo
If you have time for a second stop, head to Wukoki Pueblo. Its tower-like structure stands apart in the landscape, and the short trail gives you a different view of the monument from the larger Wupatki Pueblo site.
See More at Citadel, Nalakihu, and Lomaki
The Citadel and Nalakihu sites and the Lomaki and Box Canyon area offer further reasons to slow down along the road. Choose an additional stop based on your time and energy, rather than trying to rush through every site.
A Simple Sunset Crater and Wupatki Day-Trip Itinerary
Morning: Leave Williams and make your way toward Flagstaff. Under normal road conditions, start at Sunset Crater. Stop at the visitor center, walk the Lava Flow Trail, and take in the view from Bonito Vista.
Midday: Continue along the scenic road, allowing time for the changing landscape and an unhurried lunch break.
Afternoon: Explore Wupatki Pueblo, then choose Wukoki or another pueblo stop before heading back toward Williams.
During the September–October 2026 road closure: Reverse the order and enter through Wupatki. The NPS says the drive between the Wupatki and Sunset Crater visitor centers is approximately 19 miles and 30 minutes during the closure; allow additional time for your journey to and from the monuments.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
- Set aside most of a day. The scenic drive is only part of the experience; short walks, visitor centers, and pueblo stops add up.
- Bring water, snacks, and sun protection. You’ll spend time outside in exposed areas, particularly at Wupatki.
- Wear sturdy shoes. Even short trails can have uneven ground, and volcanic rock is sharp.
- Check conditions before leaving. Weather and road work can affect the route, especially during winter and the current fall 2026 closure.
- Know the trail rules if traveling with a dog. Pets are permitted on the paved portion of Sunset Crater’s Lava Flow Trail, but they are not allowed on Wupatki’s park trails.
- Check entrance fees. A private vehicle pass covers both monuments for seven days; see the NPS fees page for current prices and accepted passes.
Return to Williams After a Day of Exploring
After lava trails, scenic roads, and pueblo sites, head back to Route 66 in Williams. Trailborn Grand Canyon makes a comfortable home base for a Northern Arizona itinerary that stretches beyond a single day at the South Rim. Settle in for dinner at Miss Kitty’s Steakhouse & Bar, then decide which direction tomorrow’s adventure will take you.
Explore rooms at Trailborn Grand Canyon and make Williams your starting point for more of Northern Arizona.
FAQs
Yes. The monuments are linked by a scenic road, and many of their main sights are reached by short trails. Plan for a full day from Williams so you can enjoy the stops without rushing. Check the current road notice before traveling, as the fall 2026 closure changes how you enter the route.
No. The summit trail is closed to protect the volcanic cone. The Lava Flow Trail and other designated walks provide views of Sunset Crater and its surrounding landscape.
Yes. The standard private vehicle entrance pass is valid at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments for seven days.
Start with Wupatki Pueblo. It’s the namesake site, close to the visitor center, and its short trail offers a strong introduction to the monument.
