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Lava Flow Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 938 Google reviews · Running trail in Flagstaff, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Lava Flow Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Paved trail through a volcanic landscape featuring a lava flow formation and views of Sunset Crater.
What runners say about Lava Flow Trail
“I could picture riding aound to every location along the trail on a beautiful sunny day.”
“I enjoyed this easy hike that leads through a lava field the bottom of the majestic Sunset Crater.”
A quick, easy, and flat walk through some amazing lava beds. There are great views and you see a majority of what the park has to offer right here. There is ample parking for this easy paved path.
This is one of the most perfect interpretive trails I have seen in National Parks. It has a lot of information panels next to the amazing surroundings. It explains the history and impact of many natural events. The main trail is paved. You could go to the longer trail to see and learn more, but it is not paved.
Great little hike at the base of the crater, some paved and some on the lava rock itself. Beautiful views and a well kept path.
The Lava Flow trail and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a beautiful hike. There is new split-rail fencing around the trail due to a fire in 2022 destroying the old fencing. The hike is fairly easy, with some elevation up and down.
Trail conditions & character
“There's concrete loop here along with the Lava Flow Trail which is the lava rock trail just off to the side of the concrete trail.”
“I could picture riding aound to every location along the trail on a beautiful sunny day.”
“The hike is paved and the trailhead is located at the parking lot.”
“The initial part of the lava flow trail is paved- accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.”
“Excellently marked with signs explaining the volcanic formation, and it's nice and flat for the majority of the trail.”
Plan your run at Lava Flow Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Phone(928) 526-0502
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–6 PM |
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