IMPORTANT UPDATE: FLOOR TOURS TEMPORARILY PAUSED

Our exclusive Floor Tours are temporarily paused while restoration work is underway on the astronaut trail. We appreciate your patience as we work to preserve and restore this important piece of Meteor Crater’s history.

We will keep this page updated and announce as soon as Floor Tours reopen. We’re hopeful it will be very soon!

An Extraordinary Opportunity Every Saturday!

Step into the heart of Meteor Crater on this ultra-exclusive, first-ever public hike to the crater floor. Previously restricted to NASA and scientific teams, this rare, bucket-list experience takes advanced hikers nearly 550 feet down into one of Earth’s best-preserved impact sites. Led by an expert guide, you’ll explore the crater from within, surrounded by its massive scale, unique acoustics, and a powerful sense of stillness you can’t experience from the rim.

Along the way, discover remnants of early mining operations, historic artifacts, and astronaut training locations, all while learning about the crater’s geology, history, and exploration legacy.

Tour Details:

Advanced-level, strenuous hike (experienced hikers only)
Guided descent and ascent (~550 ft elevation change)
Explore crater floor features: mine shaft, steam boiler, astronaut marker, and more
Duration: ~2.5 hours
Offered Saturdays at 8:30 AM when tours are operating
Limited capacity for a true VIP experience
Includes admission to the Discovery Center

What to Bring:

Hiking boots (required)
Hat and trekking poles (recommended)
At least 2 liters of water
Sun protection and weather-appropriate clothing

Important:
This is a physically demanding hike on steep, uneven terrain and is not recommended for guests with mobility limitations. Tours are weather-dependent. Please check this page for the latest information on Floor Tour availability before planning your visit.

Info

When

Where

Meteor Crater Discovery Center

Event Schedule

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Floor Tours

Alisha Holden

a month ago

My husband, son and I visited during a cross country roadtrip. Due to time constraints we did the self guided tour but the guided tour looked fun! We ... Read More

My husband, son and I visited during a cross country roadtrip. Due to time constraints we did the self guided tour but the guided tour looked fun! We got great pics of the crater and had a good time exploring the inside attractions and the gift store. Definitely worth the stop. Read Less
Michelle Bargett

6 months ago

Meteor crater and museum was interesting and educational. Guided tours are included in price of admission. Easy guided walking tour with multiple stop... Read More

Meteor crater and museum was interesting and educational. Guided tours are included in price of admission. Easy guided walking tour with multiple stops and large rocks to sit on while your guide talks. There also a self guided tour with platforms for taking great photos. The museum inside is interesting and will help pass the time until the next tour starts. There a coffee shop/lounge area that is connected to the gift shop. There is also a 4D movie there but it was closed when I was there. On Saturday they have full hikes around the crater but don't offer it on there day's. They also offer a pet Ramado so if you travel with pets you can check them in to cool fenced-in pen and small dog run that is connected to the car parking lot. There is also place for your motor home or RV. It's a separate parking lot next to car parking lot, just follow the signs. We paid about 28.00 for each adult Read Less
Tony Skeans

a month ago

Worth the Stop. Worth Going Back… If You’re a Space Enthusiast. Meteor Crater is one of those places I’ve wanted to see for years. Growing up ... Read More

Worth the Stop. Worth Going Back… If You’re a Space Enthusiast. Meteor Crater is one of those places I’ve wanted to see for years. Growing up near Middlesboro, Kentucky, I was already familiar with the idea of a meteor impact site. But there’s something different about standing on the rim of one of the best-preserved meteor craters in the world and seeing its scale with your own eyes. More than anything, I wanted my kids to experience that. It did not disappoint. The crater itself is impressive, but so is the setting. The stark Arizona landscape creates a perfect backdrop, and the visitor center has been designed to take full advantage of it. Everywhere you turn seems to offer another great photo opportunity. Inside, there’s plenty to explore. The exhibits are well done, the space memorabilia is interesting without being overwhelming, and the gift shop was one of the better museum gift shops we’ve visited. Whether you’re traveling with kids or you’re simply curious about space and geology, there’s enough here to make the visit worthwhile. We didn’t have time to eat at the café because we were trying to make it to our next stop before evening, but it was busy enough to suggest it’s a popular choice with visitors. For me, this was exactly the kind of roadside attraction I enjoy finding on a cross-country trip. It breaks up a long day of driving, gives the kids something memorable to experience, and leaves you with a greater appreciation for just how incredible our planet’s history really is. Would I stop again? If I were traveling with someone who had never seen it before, absolutely. Would I make a special trip back just for the crater? Probably not—unless you’re a true space enthusiast. If that’s you, you could easily spend much more time exploring everything the site has to offer. For everyone else, it’s one of those classic American roadside destinations that’s absolutely worth experiencing at least once. Worth the Stop. Worth Going Back… If You’re a Space Enthusiast. Read Less
B Z

a month ago

We almost skipped Meteor Crater, and I'm really glad we didn't. It's only about 40 minutes from Flagstaff and is well worth the drive. The highlight w... Read More

We almost skipped Meteor Crater, and I'm really glad we didn't. It's only about 40 minutes from Flagstaff and is well worth the drive. The highlight was the 45-minute guided tour with Russell, which is included with admission. He made the tour interesting, mixed in some humor, and shared a lot of fascinating facts about the impact, the history of the site, and the Apollo astronaut training that took place there. It made the experience much more enjoyable than just looking at the crater on your own. Admission also includes the museum and exhibits, so there's plenty to see. They offer discounts for AAA members, military veterans, and seniors (65+), which was a nice bonus. If you're in the Flagstaff area, I'd definitely recommend stopping. Plan on spending about 2–3 hours, and don't miss Russell's tour—it was one of the best parts of the visit Read Less
Mai Kashihara

a month ago

This was not a preplanned spot on our route 66 itinerary, but we have some time and thought to stop by. We were a bit taken a back about the price of ... Read More

This was not a preplanned spot on our route 66 itinerary, but we have some time and thought to stop by. We were a bit taken a back about the price of $32 per person and for admission, but we had already come so far so we purchase the tickets. The experience starts with a nine minute movie that simulates what happened 50,000 years ago. After you leave the theater, you are led to a museum area that prepares your eyes for what they will soon behold. The museum section will take about 20 minutes or you can just choose to see the crater immediately after the movie. Once we entered the crater, our eyes were blown out of their sockets. I love how this experience is wheelchair accessible, and all ages can enjoy the experience. The past were well maintained, and it felt safe with the orange railings all around. Overall, we enjoyed the experience, but the price is why I must take away a star. Read Less

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Events At Meteor Crater

VIP FLOOR TOURS

Descend 550 Feet Into the Heart of Meteor Crater

$125

Meteor Crater Discovery Center

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When

Where

Meteor Crater Discovery Center

Event Schedule

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Floor Tours

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Events At Meteor Crater

VIP FLOOR TOURS

Descend 550 Feet Into the Heart of Meteor Crater

$125

Meteor Crater Discovery Center

Share the

Info

When

Where

Meteor Crater Discovery Center

Event Schedule

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Floor Tours

Share Your Experience!

BUY TICKETS

BACK TO MC

VISITOR INFO

SHOP ONLINE

CALL US