All parks › Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle, 7 days
- $25[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- August[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 108,348[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a unit of the National Park System in Arizona[5]. NPS lists a private vehicle entrance fee of $25 that also covers Wupatki National Monument[1].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $25 |
| Motorcycle[6] | $20 |
| Per Person[7] | $15 |
| Non-commercial Groups[8] | $15 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[9] | $45 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[10].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[11].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[12] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[12] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[12] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[12] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[12] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[12] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS says the monument is open every day, and the visitor center keeps daily hours of 9:00 am to 4:30 pm[13]. It closes on three holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day[13]. Roads and trails are listed as open around the clock, though fire season or winter weather can occasionally close them[13]. NPS notes that high winds can happen any time of year[14]. Summer temperatures are often above 95ºF, and afternoon thunderstorms come from July through September[14]. Winter often brings snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, per NPS[14]. In 2025 the busiest month was August with 17,000 recreation visits[2].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 10,000 |
| February | 11,500 |
| March | 15,111 |
| April | 4,764 |
| May | 4,331 |
| June | 12,000 |
| July | 15,000 |
| August | 17,000 |
| September | 3,000 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 9,000 |
| December | 6,642 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, a pet in an area where pets are allowed has to be physically restrained at all times, either crated, caged, or held on a leash of six feet or less[15]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, though service animals are excepted, and each park can close more areas to pets[15].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment, according to NPS[11].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[10]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[12].
- NPS lists an Annual Entrance - Park pass at $45 for this monument, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki[9].
- Dress in layers, because NPS says weather can change quickly[14].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS park page before you go[13].
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument?
- NPS lists $25 for a private vehicle and $20 for a motorcycle[1][6]. A per person fee of $15 applies to bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians[7].
- Does Sunset Crater Volcano accept the America the Beautiful pass?
- Yes, NPS says the monument accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[10]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[12].
- What are the hours at Sunset Crater Volcano?
- The monument is open every day[13]. The visitor center keeps hours of 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, with closures on three holidays listed by NPS[13].
- Are dogs allowed at Sunset Crater Volcano?
- The national NPS pet rule limits the leash to six feet or less for pets where they are allowed[15]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and each park can close more areas to pets[15].
- Can I pay cash at the entrance?
- NPS says entrance fees are cashless, so plan to use a card or mobile payment[11].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $25. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 125,653, 2022: 54,787, 2023: 81,519, 2024: 73,260, 2025: 108,348. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in Arizona. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $20. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $15. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Non-commercial Groups: $15. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $45. National Park Service
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Park Hours: The Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is open every day. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The roads and trails are open 24/7, with occasional... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15