S P CraterWhen to Go
Best Time to Visit S P Crater
Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable conditions for walking and exploration; summer can be hot and dry.
Spring
March-May · 5-20°C
Cool mornings and comfortable hiking conditions.
Autumn
September-November · 10-25°C
Milder temperatures and clearer skies-ideal for walking the rim.
Summer
June-August · 20-35°C
Hot daytime temperatures; visit early or late in the day to avoid heat.
Weather & Climate near S P Crater
Climate
S P Crater's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
Air Quality:
AQI 19
Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -8° - 7° | -4° | 32 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 11° | -1° | 33 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 14° | 2° | 37 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -1° - 18° | 7° | 15 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 24° | 14° | 14 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 8° - 30° | 19° | 9 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 12° - 32° | 22° | 46 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 11° - 30° | 21° | 54 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 7° - 27° | 17° | 35 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 21° | 11° | 30 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 14° | 3° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 8° | -3° | 28 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
Getting There & Around
How to Get to S P Crater
From Flagstaff, drive north on US-89 then west on Forest Road 525 (seasonal dirt road). The trailhead is a short walk from the small pullout; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the dirt approach, especially after rain.
Tips for Visiting S P Crater
- S P Crater is a short walk from a small pullout on FR 525 - park carefully off the dirt road.
- Bring a wind layer; the high desert can be surprisingly cold even in summer evenings.
- Combine with a visit to nearby Sunset Crater and the Wupatki National Monument for a fuller volcanic day trip.