Arizona · Hiking

Lenox Crater Trail

1.35-mile out-and-back hike with 424 ft gain in Arizona.

Photo: Šarūnas Burdulis from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

1.4 mi
round trip: 727 ft
climb: 7,246 ft
high point: Out and back
route

Is Lenox Crater Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. It doesn't name Lenox Crater Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

Road Closure: Sunset Crater Volcano September 21 through October 26
Park closure covering Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument · NPS · Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

As of Oct 23, 6:30 pm MST · Source: NPS · Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Lenox Crater Trail

Best months: May–July and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

Jan
44° / 13°
6 wet
Feb
47° / 16°
5 wet
Mar
54° / 21°
5 wet
Apr
61° / 27°
4 wet
May
70° / 34°
4 wet
Jun
82° / 42°
4 wet
Jul
84° / 49°
11 wet
Aug
81° / 47°
14 wet
Sep
75° / 40°
8 wet
Oct
65° / 28°
5 wet
Nov
53° / 18°
4 wet
Dec
44° / 12°
5 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sunset Crater Nm, AZ, 1.5 mi away at 6,980 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Lenox Crater Trail is an easy out-and-back hike in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Arizona, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is about 1.35 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 727 feet over the round trip. The route starts at about 6,968 feet and reaches a high point of 7,246 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.1 miles in, with a grade of 16 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 65°F, while July and August bring the most wet days. A fee is charged for the visit. The Lava Flow Trail and Lava's Edge Trail both start about 0.2 miles away. Oleary Group Site and Bonito campground are within about a mile and a half.