Odessa Meteor Crater

Today the main feature is a shallow depression shaped by long erosion and infilling, rather than a dramatic deep bowl. A marked trail and the associated museum help explain the landform and the scientific work carried out here.

Check current park and museum opening arrangements before traveling, since they have different schedules. Remain on marked paths, leave rocks in place, and do not use metal detectors. Prepare for exposed West Texas conditions and leave before the gate closes; a photograph or satellite view can overstate the crater's visible depth.

Visitor details reviewed October 18, 2026. Check official visitor information for current access, admission, and operating arrangements. View on OpenStreetMap.

Image credit: Fredlyfish4 / Wikimedia Commons. Original source. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.