Lunar Crater Descent
Lunar Crater is an <em>extinct volcano</em> near Meteor Crater in Arizona, known for its steep-walled, oval shape and use as an <strong>Apollo astronaut training</strong> site.
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Geography
| Address | Lunar Crater, Arizona, USALunar Crater Road |
|---|---|
| Continent | North America |
| Region | Americas |
| Subregion | Southwest United States |
| Country | USA |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Coconino County |
| District | Luna |
| Timezone | AmericaPhoenix |
| Latitude | 35.354 |
| Longitude | -113.782 |
| Maps |
7:14 PM LOCAL TIMELunar Crater is a well-preserved, ~4 km-wide volcanic crater in north-central Arizona, formed about 3,700 years ago by a high-energy meteor impact. The crater’s steep, nearly-vertical walls rise about 200-250 m above the surrounding plain, providing an accessible look at explosive volcanic and impact processes. Historically used as a training site for Apollo lunar missions — NASA and other agencies found its small-scale yet dramatic terrain useful for practicing boulder navigation and descent techniques — the site remains popular with geology students, researchers, and off-road visitors. Visitors generally access the crater via rough Lunar Crater Road and can walk to viewpoints along the rim or descend to the floor for closer inspection of layered deposits and impact breccias. While facilities are minimal, the site offers a stark wilderness experience: harsh desert conditions, clear skys for stargazing, and a tangible sense of planetary-scale forces.
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