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When the road is open, the easiest approach to Strawberry crater is to continue North on US 89 for 4 mi. past the Monument entrance, turn East on FS Rd 546 for 3.5 mi. to the FS Rd 779 junction, and then continue East on 779 for 2 miles to the parking area.  According to one Ranger, when this route is open it is suitable for the family sedan - but sections of 779 are pretty rough - take your mother-in-laws' sedan.

I have described the hard way to get to Strawberry crater, by going through Sunset Crater Volcano Monument, because the easier, more direct route was closed due to the extreme fire danger.  The only route open when I was there is not suitable for the family sedan - while high clearance was not necessarily required, the 4 WD came in handy for one short section of the road.

There is no water available at the trailhead or on the trail and the summer months can be deceptively hot so bring plenty of water if you intend to hike up to the ruins on Strawberry Crater.  The elevation gain during the hike is not severe, but the footing is extremely loose, sandy soil (cinders) which adds to the level of difficulty.  Leading away from the parking area, the trail soon splits into two trails going in opposite directions around the base of the volcano.  Take either trail as they form a loop and meet at the saddle on the South-West rim of the very eroded crater.  Just West of the top of the saddle you should be able to find several faint trails climbing to the North toward the crater rim.  Fortunately, the faint trails consolidate into a single trail that is more or less easy to follow.  The path leads to the ledges at the top of the crater's northern rim just below the top and on its inner slope.  The ruins where constructed of volcanic rock, blending into the ledges they are hard to see (or photograph) until you are practically standing on them.

Sunset Crater Monument does not allow hiking or climbing on the namesake volcano, but beside Strawberry Crater, there is a hiking trial to the top of Lenox Crater.  I did not take the time for this hike.  In addition, there is a short self-guided tour along a trail at the base of Sunset Crater.  This trail will take you past a fumarole (small volcano vent) and an "Ice Cave", which is a lava tube that contains very cool air - the entry to the ice cave is barricaded.

The Monument is part of the National Park system so the usual fees are applicable.  There is a small visitor's center at the park entrance and the park is associated with the Wapatki National Monument which contains several Indian Ruins.  The fees provide access to both Monuments.  A good day's tour would result from hiking the short trails in both Monuments.  There is a campground located at the Sunset Crater gate - leashes are required for pets within the parks.

Enjoy,

Trekker