Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in February
February at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 16°F, with about 1.1" of precipitation and roughly 9" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes February a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 16°F
- Average high
- 47°F
Range across the year: 12°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 1.1 in
- Snowfall
- 9 in
- Daylight
- 10.7 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in February: roughly 4,400 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes February the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score February rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 31°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% of annual visitors, choosing February instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 10.7 hours of daylight in February to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 73,260 recreation visits, down 10.1% from 81,519 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.8%, so February may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How February compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F / 13°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
| February | 47°F / 16°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| March | 54°F / 21°F | 1.2× Busy | 19 Poor |
All twelve months at Sunset Crater Volcano, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
February averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 16°F at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with about 1.1 inches of precipitation and roughly 9 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
February is very quiet at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. February sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical February sees about 4,000 recreation visits at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano in February
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Top-rated places to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in February.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.