Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sky Score 61/100≈ Bortle 2
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a protected area in Arizona with a measured darkness of 83/100 (≈ Bortle 2) — a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically September, when about 78% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 57/100. The moon is 7% lit and above the horizon 13% of the night; typical August clear-sky odds here are 61%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53% | 52/100 |
| February | 62% | 58/100 |
| March | 59% | 56/100 |
| April | 72% | 64/100 |
| May | 76% | 67/100 |
| June | 78% | 68/100 |
| July | 56% | 54/100 |
| August | 61% | 57/100 |
| September ★ | 78% | 69/100 |
| October | 76% | 67/100 |
| November | 71% | 64/100 |
| December | 58% | 55/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night — check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
No lodging within 80 km — this is true wilderness. Plan to camp, or base yourself in the nearest gateway town and drive out for the night.
Nearby spots in Arizona
- Strawberry Crater Wilderness — 9.4 km · Sky Score 65/100
- Walnut Canyon National Monument — 21.3 km · Sky Score 54/100
- Wupatki National Monument Boundary — 23.6 km · Sky Score 66/100
- Grand Falls view — 28.9 km · Sky Score 67/100
- Kendrick Mountain Wilderness — 32.2 km · Sky Score 65/100