Just 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers a striking look at northern Arizona’s explosive past.

Why go: Some 900 years ago, a volcanic eruption spewed lava and ash that spread for miles and formed the red cinder cone known as Sunset Crater. It's perhaps the most recognizable of the 600 or so ...

Nearly 1,000 years ago, a lava fountain began spewing magma and ash into the air about 15 miles northeast of what is now Flagstaff. A hellish snow of hot volcanic cinders fell, and great gobs of ...

Two large lava flows were created by the eruption of Sunset Crater. The Bonito lava flow broke through the west and northwest base of the cinder cone and eventually covered an area measuring 1.8 ...

Nearly 1,000 years ago, a volcano – which has come to be called Sunset Crater – erupted and transformed the encircling area. Today, geologic features like cinders, lava rock and lava flow ...

A collapsed lava tube at Sunset Crater National Monument is partially buried in snow in this January 31st photograph. Rachel Gibbons, Arizona Daily Sun; ...

The National Park Service partially reopened Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument on Thursday after being closed since the Tunnel Fire began burning in mid-April. Sunset Crater Loop Road, along ...