What Guided Tours and Special Events Does Meteor Crater Offer?

Meteor Crater offers two main guided experiences—the standard Guided Tour and the more demanding Full Rim Hike—plus rotating special events including Asteroid Day, Sci-Fi Fest, and VIP Floor Tours. Event dates are listed on meteorcrater.com, and tickets are purchased through the site's checkout. If you want a guided walk along the crater edge, plan around the rim hike dates rather than assuming it runs daily.

Guided Tours and Hikes

The Meteor Crater Guided Tour

This is the core guided experience listed among the featured attractions. A guide covers the history of the impact site, how the landscape changed, and the crater's founding by Daniel M. Barringer. It pairs naturally with the indoor exhibits—the Discovery Center & Space Museum, the Holsinger Meteorite (1,406 lbs., the largest found at the site), and the Apollo 11 space capsule—so you can split your visit between the guided portion and self-guided exhibits.

Full Rim Hikes

The Full Rim Hike is a separately scheduled guided rim tour led by an expert guide. The site lists it as an upcoming event rather than a walk-up offering: the posted date is October 24, 2026. Treat it as a date-specific booking—check the event page before building a trip around it.

VIP Floor Tours

VIP Floor Tours appear as a distinct event category with their own event page. Details and availability live on that page; confirm the schedule there before purchasing.

Special Events

Dates shown are the ones currently posted on the site. Because these are future-dated, verify them on the individual event pages before finalizing travel plans—schedules can shift.

Other Attractions to Pair With a Tour

Beyond guided options, the site lists these featured attractions:

• The Blast Zone and COLLISION! 4D Theater
• Lookout Points for outdoor crater views ("Crater Gazin'")
• Impact! The Mystery of Meteor Crater exhibit
• Discovery Center & Space Museum, including the 60-year NASA history and Apollo 11 astronaut training story
• Gift & Mineral Shop and RV Park

How to Book and Check Dates

1. Go to meteorcrater.com and open the events section to see current listings for Full Rim Hikes, Asteroid Day, Sci-Fi Fest, and VIP Floor Tours.
2. Open the specific event page (for example, the VIP Floor Tours page) to confirm date, timing, and any participation requirements.
3. Purchase through the site's checkout, or use the "Buy Tickets" link on the main page.
4. Before traveling, re-check the event page—posted dates are far in advance and may be updated.

Common pitfall: assuming the rim hike is available on any visit day. It is listed as a dated event, so a general admission ticket does not guarantee access to it.