About

National Monument • Outdoor • Admission Required

About 15 miles / 20 minutes north of Flagstaff. A cinder cone volcano that erupted around 1085, leaving behind black lava fields and colorful volcanic rock you can walk right up to. The easy 1-mile Lava Flow Trail loops through the Bonito Lava Flow at the base of the volcano. Its upper section is paved and stroller- and wheelchair-friendly; the rest of the loop is not. Kids are fascinated by crunching across the black cinders. Climbing the cinder cone itself isn't allowed, since the slopes are fragile. Admission is required ($); your vehicle fee also covers Wupatki National Monument up the road, so it's easy to pair the two in one day. Open daily 9am to 4:30pm, with restrooms, parking, and exhibits. An outdoor national monument with short hours and a fee — and no summit — but the lava is the show.