Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
- Admission
- $29 adults, $27 seniors, $20 youth (ages 6-12), under 6 free
- Hours
- Daily 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Duration
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Parking
- Free on-site parking for cars, RVs, and buses
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible visitor center, museum, and designated viewing areas; outdoor rim trails are partially accessible
Visit the world's best-preserved meteorite impact site, a staggering one-mile-wide chasm blasted into the Arizona desert 50,000 years ago. Visitors can walk the rim trails, experience an immersive 4D theater, and even see where Apollo astronauts trained.
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Formed roughly 50,000 years ago, Meteor Crater is the world's best-preserved meteorite impact site. A massive iron-nickel meteorite slammed into the Arizona desert, leaving a bowl-shaped cavity nearly a mile wide and 570 feet deep.
Today, visitors can experience this otherworldly landscape from indoor viewing areas or outdoor observation platforms along the crater's rim. The site features an interactive discovery center, a widescreen theater, and guided rim tours led by expert pathfinders.
Beyond its sheer scale, the crater has a rich scientific legacy, having served as a training ground for Apollo astronauts preparing for lunar landings. It remains a privately owned National Natural Landmark that offers a humbling reminder of cosmic forces.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Arrive early in the day to beat the midday desert heat and secure a spot on the guided rim trail tours.
- ◆ Bring binoculars to spot the life-sized astronaut mannequin placed at the bottom of the crater to demonstrate its immense scale.
- ◆ Allow at least two hours to explore both the outdoor viewing platforms and the interactive museum exhibits inside the visitor center.
Heads Up
- ◆ The rim of the crater can experience extremely high, sudden wind gusts, so secure your hats, glasses, and phones.
- ◆ Desert temperatures can soar during summer months, making hydration critical even for short walks to the observation decks.
- ◆ Hiking down into the crater itself is strictly prohibited to preserve the site and ensure visitor safety.
Common questions
Can you walk down to the bottom of Meteor Crater?
No, visitors are not permitted to hike down to the bottom of the crater for safety and preservation reasons. Viewing is limited to the rim observation decks and guided rim tours.
Can you use a National Parks Pass at Meteor Crater?
No, the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is not accepted because Meteor Crater is a privately owned and operated attraction.
Is Meteor Crater dog-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed inside the visitor center or on the crater viewing areas. The attraction does provide complimentary outdoor pet kennels on-site for visitors traveling with dogs.
Can you see the crater from the highway or parking lot without paying?
No, the crater is not visible from Interstate 40 or the main parking area. You must purchase an admission ticket and pass through the visitor center to see the crater.