Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
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: 33/100. The moon is 93% lit and above the horizon 92% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 78%. 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: sleep under a dark sky
We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument for each.
66/100sky darkness at this stay
57/100sky darkness at this stay
Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff East
- Sky darkness
- 57/100
- To the spot
- 18.3 km
- Location
- Flagstaff
57/100sky darkness at this stay
Fairfield Inn & Suites Flagstaff East
- Sky darkness
- 57/100
- To the spot
- 18.3 km
- Location
- Flagstaff
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Sonesta ES Suites
Darkness: 57/100 · 18.9 km from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Check availability →
Super 8
Darkness: 56/100 · 18.6 km from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument · Flagstaff
- Check availability →
Country Inn & Suites
Darkness: 56/100 · 18.6 km from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument · Flagstaff
- Check availability →
Days Inn & Suites East Flagstaff
Darkness: 56/100 · 18.7 km from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument · Flagstaff
- Check availability →
Howard Johnson Inn - Flagstaff
Darkness: 53/100 · 19.2 km from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Flagstaff
Flagstaff is the closest base to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.
Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.
Nearby spots in Arizona
- Walnut Canyon National Monument 21.3 km · Sky Score 54/100
- Wupatki National Monument Boundary 23.6 km · Sky Score 66/100
- Slide Rock State Park 52.2 km · Sky Score 58/100
- Red Rock State Park 68.4 km · Sky Score 55/100
- Moran Point 79.7 km · Sky Score 67/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).