Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum
Massive meteorite hole just off Historic Route 66? Yes, Please!
50,000 years ago Earth got shot! Right in the middle of the Arizona desert. Scorching in at 26,000 miles per hour, a 150 foot iron-nickel projectile struck with the force of 20 million tons of TNT. Yep, it happened. Following the explosion this meteor left a massive hole for us to gawk at. So, come visit and be inspired by the fact that you came 50,000 years too late for the initial meteor shower which would have ended with the whole lot of us seeing some serious stars.
The result of this meteorite collision was a colossal crater. In fact, the initial crater was around 700 feet deep and more than 4,000 feet across. Today the depth of the crater stands at 550 feet deep. That is to say it is deep enough for the top of the Washington Monument to be at eye if you were standing on the rim. Meteor Crater National Landmark is widely considered the best-preserved meteor impact site on planet Earth.
At a mere 6 miles off of Historic Route 66, this is a must-see stop on your Arizona road trip. Be prepared to spend some time exploring. Museums, exhibits, and films help you get educated on everything from the meteor itself, to the history of using it as training grounds for Apollo astronauts. Most importantly, there is a piece of the meteor on display. Therefore, the kids can even say they got to touch a real meteor. Bet their friends at school haven’t done that.
Hours, Location, and Facilities
More details for planning your visit
Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm (Open until 12:00pm on Thanksgiving & Closed Christmas Day)
Tickets: can be purchased online or on-site; group discounts available
Pets: not allowed inside, but a generous Pet Ramada is available outside the Administration area.
Distance from:
Winslow – 25 miles
Flagstaff – 40 miles
Petrified Forest National Park – 80 miles
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Walnut Canyon National Monument
Step into Southwest cultures of the past
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Rich cultures of the past once thrived in this seemingly inhospitable terrain.
Walnut Canyon National Monument is home to some of the most incredible cliff dwellings you’ll ever see.
There are two different routes you can take to soak in the Walnut Canyon experience. For those willing and able to tackle a 1-mile round trip hike, you’ll get up close and personal to these ancient dwellings and see with your own eyes the ingenuity of the ancient inhabitants. You’ll have the chance to not only walk right next to and in the dwellings, but you’ll be able to look across the canyon and see additional dwellings built within the cliff. It’s a remarkable sight that you won’t want to miss.
As a word of caution, be sure to go prepared. There are lots of stairs and it does get hot in the summer months so be sure to pack some water and a snack. The ancient inhabitants didn’t have the luxury of fruit snacks and a Camelbak but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take advantage of those luxuries.
If you’re not able to go on a mile hike or do lots of stairs, don’t worry at all. The Rim Trail will still provide a great experience with views of a pinion pine forest, partially rebuilt pithouse, and ancient pueblos. This 0.7 round-trip stroll is worth every minute of your time. The scenic overlooks provide views of a gorgeous canyon as well as the ancient cliff dwellings.
Hours, Location, and Facilities
More details for planning your visit
Additional trip-planning information:
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Hours of operation- 9 AM- 4:30 PM (check nps.gov for holiday hours of operation)
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Entrance Fee- $15 per person
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Pets- Leashed pets are allowed on the Rim trail but not allowed in the visitors center or the Island trail. Please clean up after your pets.
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Arizona Attractions
Arizona offers an amazing variety of interesting people to visit, places to see and things to do. Venture to Sedona and soak in pools full of naturally hot mineral water, or ski the resorts in p,laces like Flagstaff, a place that doesn’t seem to belong in Arizona. Visitors to Arizona attractions are never at a loss for fun and adventure.
Mountain Biking
Itinerary ideas for traveling to Arizona
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Monument Valley Tribal Tours
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Boating
Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas Houseboats
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Hiking Trails in Arizona
Wahweap RV Park & Campground
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