Flash flooding is the sharpest hazard facing campers at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with 7 recorded flash flood events in Coconino County driving the area's hazard profile. The volcanic terrain here is largely hardpan and cinder, meaning rainwater sheds almost instantly with nowhere to absorb — a thunderstorm miles away can send a wall of water through dry washes before you see a single cloud overhead. That same storm season also brought hail, tornadoes, and lightning to the county, making summer afternoons genuinely dangerous.
Before setting up camp, identify the nearest high ground and note which arroyos or low channels sit between you and your exit route. Pack a NOAA weather radio — cell signal is unreliable in this corridor — and check forecasts each morning since monsoon conditions can develop within hours. If skies darken to the southwest, move your camp and vehicle away from any drainage immediately rather than waiting to see how the storm develops.
Top recorded hazards in Coconino County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Flash Flood 7
- Hail 3
- Tornado 2
- Thunderstorm Wind 2
- Heavy Rain 1
- Lightning 1
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About Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the people who lived here. A thousand years later, trees and flowers grow among the rocks, and people visit the lava flow to see and remember the most recent volcanic eruption in Arizona.
Weather
Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. Expect high winds any time of year. Summer temperatures are often above 95ºF (35ºC) and we have afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are common in the winter. Dress in layers, as weather at Sunset Crater Volcano can change quickly at any time of year.