Photo: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Part of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Attractions 6,981 ft Bortle 2 Solitude: 95/100 (remote)

Five picnic tables around the Lava Flow Trail parking lot offer a place to eat lunch, a quick snack, or just take a break under the shade of ponderosa pine trees.

Near Flagstaff, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

What you bring to Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area matters. This list reflects the actual conditions you'll encounter.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — Many backcountry areas require approved bear canisters; an improperly stored food bag can result in fines and lost supplies.
Bear spray — A 30-foot spray cone gives you a critical buffer zone during a charge, without requiring precise aim under extreme stress.
Bear bell — Bears typically avoid humans when given advance warning; the steady jingle of a bear bell lets them move away before you arrive.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Modern synthetic or down insulation packs small and weighs little, making it easy to carry just in case.
Hand warmers — Disposable warmers weigh almost nothing and provide 8+ hours of steady heat in gloves or pockets.
Thermos — In freezing conditions, warm liquids help prevent the calorie drain your body spends on staying warm.

Terrain Gear

SPF50 lip balm — High elevation, snow glare, and desert sun amplify UV exposure on exposed facial skin, especially lips.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Winter: Microspikes/traction devices

Activities & Best Time to Visit Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

From backpacking, hiking, photography, the outdoor activities at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area take advantage of the local terrain and climate.

With a photography score of 65/100, Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Terrain: Forest — This terrain features mature trees, fallen logs, and filtered light beneath a closed canopy. Trails may wind through uneven roots and soft organic soil.

Wildlife Safety at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Understanding the local hazards at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area starts with knowing what's here: bears, venomous snakes.

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (136mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: moderate (Mid latitude (35N), Elevated (6,981ft), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear inhabit the forests around Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, foraging for berries, insects, and nuts.

Black Bear

Color varies widely from jet black to cinnamon brown, and occasionally blond, sometimes with a pale chest patch.

Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — are present in the Forest habitat around Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Walk quietly and you may spot Abert's Squirrel and Mule Deer among the 3 tree species and 2 wildflowers that grow here.

Trees (3)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures.
Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.
white fir — The bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming furrowed with age.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Cup-shaped flower with three rounded petals.
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Creamy white five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.

Other Plants (5)

Echinocereus bakeri
great mullein
quaking aspen
alligator juniper
western blue flag

Mammals (8)

Abert's Squirrel — White underside and bushy tail edged in white.
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Black-tipped tail distinguishes it from some other prairie dogs.
Wapiti — Bulls carry massive branching antlers that can span over four feet.
Rock Squirrel — Stouter and larger than many other ground squirrels.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Streaked brown female
House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow
European Starling — Spotted winter plumage with pale speckles
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Black half-collar on nape
Dark-eyed Junco — Oregon form with dark hood and brown back

Reptiles (5)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Often displays small black spots between the stripes.
Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly.

Amphibians (2)

American Bullfrog
Arizona Tree Frog

Insects (10)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Gray Buckeye
Carolina Grasshopper
White-lined Sphinx
Spotted Pine Sawyer

Fungi (1)

lobster mushroom

Other Wildlife (2)

Common Pill Woodlouse
Virile Crayfish

Nature Bingo at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
American Bullfrog (amphibian)
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Climate data for Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area shows Semi-Arid patterns, averaging 47.9°F year-round.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 47.9°F

Annual precipitation: 17.1 in

With an average annual temperature of 47.9°F and 17.1 inches of precipitation, Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area has cool, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 68°F, while winter lows drop to 31°F.

Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Sep. Consider avoiding: Jan, Dec.

Winter 31°

1.7"

Spring 45°

0.7"

Summer 68°

2.5"

Fall 49°

1.4"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	31°F	1.7 in
Feb	33°F	1.2 in
Mar	39°F	1.1 in
Apr	45°F	0.7 in
May	53°F	0.7 in
Jun	63°F	0.3 in
Jul	68°F	2.5 in
Aug	66°F	3.4 in
Sep	59°F	1.7 in
Oct	49°F	1.4 in
Nov	39°F	0.9 in
Dec	31°F	1.5 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.

Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:41 PM

Winter: 7:27 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:27 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:35 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:41 PM Golden hour from 7:04 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:38 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:59 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:07 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

The closest major city is Phoenix at 136 miles, making this a short road trip destination.

Nearest city: Phoenix (136 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $34.01 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 109.9 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

14 outdoor locations are close enough to Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area to combine into a single trip.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

The night sky here rates Bortle class 2, meaning Typical truly dark site conditions for spotting constellations and celestial events.

Bortle 2 Typical truly dark site

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cassiopeia — This constellation represents a mythological queen and lies opposite the Big Dipper across Polaris.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

Different seasons reveal different sides of Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area.

The landscape at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area transforms through the year, with 3 notable seasonal events.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 6981ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

Indigenous peoples have shaped this landscape for millennia. Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area sits within the traditional territory of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai).

Territories

Languages

2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.

Data from Native Land Digital

Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Permian sedimentary rocks
Formation: Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
Age: Permian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 187
Unique Species: 108
Oldest: 382.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 96
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Limestone, General, Perlite, Uranium

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 102°F (2021-07-11)
Record Low: -37°F (1963-01-12)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 171
Largest Fire: Pipeline (26,532.4 acres)
Most Recent: 9999
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a humid climate
Karst Score: 40

Watershed

Watershed: Lower Rio de Flag
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 38 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 5 (BFRO)
Haunted Places: 8 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 100/100

Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area, Sunset Crater Volcano NM Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Live conditions for Lava Flow Trail Picnic Area — bookmark these for your trip.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: SUNSET CRATER NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (1.5 mi)