Day Trips in Phoenix

"Glowing in gold and orange juxtaposed with the black lava around it, Sunset Crater reveals the reason it got its name. It’s a relatively young cinder cone, which is a ring formed by lava spewed out of a volcanic vent within the San Francisco Peaks. At the entrance of the park, the Visitor Center helps guests understand the area’s history and geology through the interactive exhibits. Next, visitors can walk the interpretive Lava Trail around the cone and enjoy a unique environment of sharp rock formations, a lava tube, and areas shaded by mature ponderosa pines. In spring, you may see the delicate red Sunset Crater penstemon flower that grows nowhere else on Earth. Though climbing Sunset Crater is not possible, a trail leads up Lenox Crater, offering a hike to the top and into a similar cinder cone, and views of both Sunset Crater and the San Francisco (Kachina) Peaks from the top.Driving farther through the Sunset Crater-Wupatki loop road, Wupatki National Monument and the surrounding archaeological sites offer a glimpse into the lives of ancient Pueblo people who once lived in the area. Smaller structures, like Wukoki, Lomaki, Box Canyon, Citadel, and Nalahiku are also worth a quick stop. Looking into the distance from the empty high desert vintage points, the Painted Desert shows off all its colors, especially at sunset." - MATADOR_NETWORK