Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater)
The best-preserved impact crater on Earth
A near-perfect bowl almost a mile across and 550 feet deep, punched out of the northern Arizona desert roughly 50,000 years ago by an iron meteorite — the best-preserved impact crater on the planet, and an Apollo astronaut training ground. It sits just off Route 66 and I-40 east of Flagstaff.
The shot
The full bowl from the rim overlook.
Nearby & worth pairing
- Winslow
- Route 66
- Walnut Canyon
- Petrified Forest nearby
Access, fees, permits, and tour availability change with the season and the managing agency (tribal park, state park, BLM, or NPS) — confirm current rules and reservations before you go, tread lightly on sacred and fragile sites, and pack out everything you bring.
Build a trip around landmarks like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: