Strawberry Crater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strawberry Crater |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,526 ft (1,989 m) NGVD 29 |
| Prominence | 476 ft (145 m) |
| Geography | |
 Strawberry Crater
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Coconino County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Strawberry Crater |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | cinder cone |
| Volcanic field | San Francisco volcanic field |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Trail hike |
| Strawberry Crater Wilderness | |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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 Strawberry Crater Wilderness
Location in the United States
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| Location | Coconino County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Flagstaff |
| Area | 10,141 acres (4,104 ha) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Administrator | Coconino National Forest U.S. Forest Service |
Strawberry Crater is a cool cinder cone volcano in Arizona. It stands over 1,000 feet (300 m) tall! You can find it about 20 miles (32 km) north of Flagstaff, Arizona.
This volcano is part of the San Francisco volcanic field. It sits within the Strawberry Crater Wilderness. The wilderness area covers more than 10,000 acres (4,000 ha). It's full of hills, cinder cones, and dry land. The landforms here are between 50,000 and 100,000 years old.
Contents
Why is it called Strawberry Crater?
The volcano gets its name from its shape. Its cone looks a bit like a giant strawberry. The reddish rocks, called cinders, also remind people of the fruit.
How Strawberry Crater Formed
Experts believe Strawberry Crater is quite young for a volcano. It was created by volcanic eruptions. These eruptions happened between 800 and 1604 B.C. That's a long time ago!
During these eruptions, many different colored rocks were laid down. The northwestern part of the crater is covered with lava flows. The southern part has smaller cinder cones.
You can find other volcanoes nearby, like the taller Sunset Crater.
Ancient Gardens and Views
Around the crater, you might see low walls made of stacked rocks. These were built by Native American people long ago. They also made ancient gardens here. They used volcanic cinders to help the soil hold water for their plants. This was a clever way to farm in a dry area!
From the top of the cinder cones, you can see amazing views. You might spot the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. You can also see the Hopi Buttes and the Painted Desert. The valley of the Little Colorado River is also visible.
The unique rock shapes and twisted juniper trees make Strawberry Crater Wilderness a great spot for photography.
Visiting Strawberry Crater
You can visit Strawberry Crater for fun activities all year round.
Weather at the Crater
Winters near the crater are usually mild, around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Summers can be very hot and dry. There isn't much natural water along the hiking trails. So, remember to bring plenty of water with you!
Fun Activities
Strawberry Crater offers many ways to enjoy nature. You can go day hiking on the trails. It's also a popular place for horseback riding.
You can find more details about these activities. Just check the Coconino National Forest website.
