Meteor Crater in Arizona

Meteor Crater

In the middle of the Arizonan desert is this landmark that is quite literally

Guide Sections

Use Meteor Crater's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.

Point of Interest

Meteor Crater Details

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

N/A

Region

N/A

In the middle of the Arizonan desert is this landmark that is quite literally – out of this world. 50,000 years ago, a meteor made from nickel-iron fell from the sky at 29,000 mph, creating a massive crater 3,900-feet wide and 560-feet deep. Geologists believe the impact was 150 times greater than an atomic bomb, which caused a devastating effect not just to the site but also for miles around. The arid desert landscape has helped preserved the crater after all these years. You can gaze into the crater at one of the lookout points or walk along the thick crust of the rim.