What It's Like to Hike the Floor of Meteor Crater, Arizona's Most Otherworldly Experience
- GSS Staff
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
When people plan an epic road trip through northern Arizona, the conversation usually starts and ends with the Grand Canyon.
Sometimes Sedona makes the cut. Occasionally Flagstaff becomes an overnight stop. Yet thousands of travelers drive right past one of the most jaw-dropping, otherworldly landscapes in the state without giving it a second thought!
Meteor Crater sits right between Flagstaff and Winslow, visible on maps and road signs but often treated as a quick, 60-minute leg stretcher rather than a destination in its own right. Most visitors just snap a few quick photos from the rim observation deck before hopping right back on the highway.
But all of that is about to change.
For more than 30 long years, the crater floor was a completely forbidden zone, locked away and restricted entirely to NASA astronauts, researchers, and planetary scientists. The general public simply wasn't allowed down there.
Now, following a massive effort to restore the historic paths and coordinate with top scientific advisors, the site has officially launched its new VIP Floor Tour—marking the first time everyday travelers are finally being allowed to journey all the way to the bottom!
Stepping Inside an Out-of-This-World Landscape
What makes this new experience so incredibly exciting isn't just that a new tour exists. It's that it completely flips how we interact with the iconic Arizona landscape.
Think about it: many of the state's most famous attractions are experienced entirely from a distant viewpoint. You stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon. You photograph Cathedral Rock from a trail miles away. You stop at scenic overlooks, grab your selfie, and move on.
This brand-new access offers something entirely different and immersive. Instead of just looking at the landscape, you get to step right inside it!
The tour takes advanced hikers nearly 550 feet down into the massive bowl along the actual, rugged Astronaut Trail. This is the exact same route used by Apollo-era astronauts during their intense space-training exercises in the 1960s and 70s.
Pop culture bonus: It’s also the very same path Jeff Bridges descended in the 1984 sci-fi cult classic Starman!
While the guides do an amazing job unpacking the site's wild geology, remnants of early mining operations, and space legacy, the real draw is the sudden, mind-blowing shift in perspective. Early participants have raved about how the true scale of the impact only hits you once you're standing at the bottom, where the rim completely towers over you and the unique acoustics of the giant bowl cut out the desert wind entirely.
The Ultimate Experiential Travel Trend
Travelers today are craving experiences that go way beyond traditional sightseeing. Whether it's trekking through a rainforest with a naturalist or joining a hyper-local food tour, the most memorable trips are less about passive observation and more about active, unforgettable participation.
The Floor Tour fits right into that philosophy.
Since the experience is so new and highly protected, participation is intentionally limited to preserve the landscape and to maintain that true, uncrowded VIP experience.
It's definitely worth noting that this is a strenuous, advanced-level hike on steep, uneven terrain, so you'll absolutely need proper hiking boots to make the descent.
Will it replace the Grand Canyon on most Arizona itineraries? Probably not. But for travelers who live for discovering exclusive, hidden-gem experiences way beyond the obvious highlights, Meteor Crater just became one of the most unique, thrilling stops in the American Southwest!
Plan Your Visit: The Ultimate Crater Experience
Ready to check the world's best-preserved meteorite impact site off your bucket list?
Have all your details lined up before you hit the road:
When: Saturdays at 9:00 AM
The Hike: A strenuous, 2.5-hour guided descent and ascent (about 550 feet down into the bowl). You will get up close to historic mine shafts, old steam boilers, and Apollo-era astronaut markers.
What to Pack: Proper hiking boots are strictly required to make the trek. You’ll also need to bring at least 2 liters of water, sun protection, and weather-appropriate gear.
Cost: $125 per person (which includes your full admission to the rest of the park amenities!).
Beyond the Floor: Make it a Day Trip
If you aren't doing the deep descent—or you just want to stick around after your hike—the park is packed with things to do for the whole family:
Hike the Rim: Take in the massive scale from the spectacular upper observation decks.
The Discovery Center & Space Museum: Dive into interactive space science exhibits.
Immersive 4D Movie: Feel the rush of a real asteroid impact in the theater.
The Blast Zone: A brand-new, interactive play area designed just for kids.
Food & Drinks: Grab a bite and recharge at the on-site café
Spaces for the Saturday morning floor hike are incredibly limited. Head over to the official Meteor Crater VIP Floor Tours page to check availability and secure your spot!
