Meteor Crater

Welcome, fellow travelers and inquisitive minds, to the high desert of northern Arizona. You are standing just off the historic path of Route Sixty Six, roughly forty five minutes southeast of Flagstaff and thirty minutes west of…

Before we make our way to the precipice of the crater itself, take a moment to explore the outdoor courtyard known as the Astronaut Park. As you step onto the paved terrace, you are immediately greeted by a fascinating relic of…

Stepping out of the bright Arizona sun and into the climate-controlled environment of the Meteor Crater Museum, you are immediately surrounded by the tangible evidence of a cosmic collision. The exhibits here are meticulously…

Pushing through the heavy doors and stepping out onto the upper observation deck, nothing can quite prepare you for the sheer, jaw-dropping scale of what suddenly dominates your field of vision. The ground simply drops away,…

Following the metal stairways down to the lower observation deck, you will notice a series of mounted, high-powered telescopes lining the railing. This is a very popular area, especially with younger visitors, so you might need…

As we begin to walk along the rugged, wind-swept path of the rim trail, the true history of the crater's discovery and the ensuing scientific debate begins to unfold. It is a story filled with stubborn personalities and shifting…

The narrative turns from academic geology to a classic American tale of wild ambition, capitalistic drive, and devastating misfortune. As we noted earlier when viewing the abandoned boiler through the telescopes, this site was…

As we reach a quieter, more secluded stretch of the rim trail, I want to share a harrowing, almost unbelievable story that adds a startling chapter to the crater’s modern history. Look out over the immense, gaping void. …

As our journey around the rim of this magnificent geological scar comes to a close, take a moment to look back over the vast expanse of the crater one final time. Stand quietly and let the immense silence of the high desert wash…