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