Hikes are great and all, but sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy Arizona’s boundless beauty from the comfort of your vehicle. There’s no better place to do just that than the 73-mile Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments Scenic Drive, which cuts through the Painted Desert en route to two of our state’s most iconic wonders. Without a doubt, this route is one of the most scenic drives in Arizona – it’s the Volcanoes and Ruins Loop scenic drive. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Snaking around Flagstaff, the Sunset Crater & Wupatki National Monuments Scenic Drive leads to two of Arizona's most iconic wonders—one natural and the other man-made.
AllTrails/Rebecca Blue
The entire loop is just over 70 miles long, which means it only takes about an hour to complete.
Your first stop is Wupatki National Monument, an ancient Puebloan village last inhabited in the 1200s.
AllTrails/Samantha Cordy
The impressive structure features more than 100 rooms and has remained surprisingly intact over the past near-millennium of weathering the harsh desert elements.
If your legs could use a stretch, feel free to get out and explore the monument.
AllTrails/Jon Davis
You'll be amazed by the plethora of well-preserved archaeological sites that have earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Close by, Sunset Crater is a dormant cinder cone within the San Francisco Volcanic Field.
Loisi Vailea/AllTrails
It hasn't erupted in nearly 1,000 years and is considered extinct, so visitors are allowed.
A short trail skirts the base of the volcano, letting hikers get up close to the hardened lava flow from its active days.
AllTrails/Rebecca Blue
You'll be whisked back to ancient times as you traverse the ashen landscape that's just beginning to burst forth with new life.
The distant San Francisco Peaks, often snow-capped, can be seen from both the trail and the road.
AllTrails/Rebecca Blue
It's truly a sight to see, so stop and smell the roses before heading on.
Whether you venture out or stay in the comfort of your vehicle, sweeping Painted Desert vistas are the icing on the cake.
AllTrails/Rebecca Blue
You can practically see to the ends of the earth from here!

For a sneak peek and helpful overview of what to expect along this drive, check out the YouTube video below, courtesy of Living In Arizona Now:

Have you ever taken the Volcanoes and Ruins Loop scenic drive? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below! Check out our previous article for another scenic drive in Arizona that isn’t too far from this one. Don’t forget to pack some road trip snacks!

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Volcanoes and Ruins Loop Scenic Drive

Beth C. | January 13, 2023

What are the most beautiful natural wonders in Arizona?

Arizona is positively brimming with natural wonders to discover. Perhaps the most famous of all is the Grand Canyon, a world wonder that can only be described as awe-inspiring. It's perhaps unsurprising to learn that it's considered among the top destinations in the U.S., too! Of course, the Grand Canyon isn't the only natural wonder in Arizona. Some other bucket-list-worthy places to check out include:

  • Antelope Canyon
  • Canyon de Chelly National Monument
  • Chiricahua National Monument
  • Havasu Falls
  • Kartchner Caverns
  • Lava River Cave
  • Meteor Crater
  • Monument Valley
  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Red Rock State Park
  • Tonto Natural Bridge
  • The Wave

 

How many of these Arizona natural wonders have you experienced before?

What are the best hikes to take in Arizona?

Hiking in Arizona is always a good idea. Not only are the views bound to be remarkable, but the trails themselves are well-maintained and a joy to take. Below you'll find a list of Arizona trails that belong on your hiking bucket list:

  • Big Loop (Chiricahua National Monument)
  • Brown’s Peak Trail (Four Peaks)
  • Escalante Route (Grand Canyon)
  • General Crook Trail (Mogollon Rim)
  • Great Western Trail (Arizona)
  • Havasu Canyon Trail (Grand Canyon)
  • Humphreys Summit Trail #151 (Humphreys Peak)
  • North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trails (Grand Canyon)
  • Parson’s Trail (Sycamore Canyon)
  • Siphon Draw Trail (Flat Iron at the Superstition Mountains)
  • West Fork Trail (West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon)
  • Wildcat Trail (Monument Valley)

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Featured Addresses
6082 Sunset Crater Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA
Wupatki National Monument, 25137 North Wupatki Lane, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA