Three National Parks - One Day

Sunset Crater, National Parks, Lava FieldLast weekend my family and I had an opportunity to visit three National Parks, and because of their proximity to each other we were lucky to be able to do it all in one day.  We set out from home about 8:00 AM and we arrived at Sunset Crater around 8:30.  We are lucky to be living in Northern Arizona at the moment.  We started out by visiting the visitor's center and getting our National Park's Passport stamped.  Then we drove to the base of the crater where we hike through the lava and cinder fields.  For those that don't know what Sunset Crater is, it a dormant valcano that was formed through a series of eruptions and explosions between 1040 and 1100 AD.  It is still a rugged and sureal terrain, but some life has started to return.
Sunset Crater, National Parks, Lava Field
Looking back at Humphrey's Peak

























 




If you go:
Take water, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.  The hike through the lava field was maybe a mile long over some uneven terrain.  It was a pretty easy hike and we took our time stopping and looking at different things along the  way. It took maybe about 40 minutes or so.  Oh should be aware that the elevation is over 7,000 feet, so if you are not accustomed to it, it can make the hike a little more difficult.


Sunset Crater is attached to Wupatki National Monument.  For your five dollar per adult entrance fee you can visit both Sunset Crater and Wupatki.



Wupatki, Pubelo, Native American dwelling, ruins


After taking a look at were the native people of the Colorado Plateau had lived 800 years ago, we drove for about 80 minutes to see one of the natural wonders of the world.



The Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon, Natural Wonder, National Park, Colorado River

The Grand Canyon is something that everyone should see at some point in their life.  The Grand Canyon is nearly 300 miles long, a mile deep and on average 10 miles across from rim to rim.  We came in on the east side of the park and it is about a 25 mile drive along the rim of the canyon to the Grand Canyon Village and Visitor Center.

Crand Canyon, national park, natural wonder, colorado river
We could have spent more time at the Grand Canyon, but by 5:00 that afternoon we had two very tired young men and so we drove home.  It was a wonderful day and saw some amazing sites.  Three national parks - one fantastic day.
Location: Sunset Crater, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Coconino, AZ 86004, USA

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