Desert Wonder · Arizona

Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater)

The best-preserved impact crater on Earth

TypeDesert Wonder
StateArizona
Best seasonYear-round (windy rim; hot in summer)
How to visitPrivately owned; entrance fee; rim viewpoints + guided rim walks

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

Build a trip around landmarks like this.

Save catalog-backed stops to My Trips on the web now. The iOS beta is testing the on-road companion: verified check-ins, badges, shared trips, and your growing map of America.

No spam. Just beta timing and launch notes.

Find a place to stay near Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater), Arizona.

Hotels, cabins, and rentals close to the action — compare and book for your trip.

See places to stay

We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link — at no extra cost to you.

Things to do near Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater)

Browse guided tours and bookable activities that fit this stop.

See tours and experiences →

Book on Viator — Roamward earns a commission, at no extra cost to you.

More to explore in Arizona

See everything in Arizona