Things to do in Flagstaff
Late spring and early fall bring mild days, cool nights, and golden aspens at 7,000 feet, while summer stays pleasant when the desert below bakes. Winter delivers real mountain snow and skiing at Snowbowl.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Flagstaff
Grand Canyon National ParkDo not miss
About 90 minutes north lies the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, a mile-deep chasm of layered cliffs and one of the planet's great views.
Day Trip · 10 hr4.8
Sunset Crater Volcano National MonumentDo not miss
Walk among black lava flows and cinder fields at the base of a 900-year-old volcanic cone with a red-rimmed summit.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.8
Walnut Canyon National MonumentDo not miss
A self-guided trail descends past ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings tucked into the walls of a deep, forested limestone canyon.
Historic Site · 2 hr4.8
Wupatki National MonumentDo not miss
Red-sandstone pueblos rise from the high desert, including a multi-story great house with a ballcourt and a natural blowhole.
Historic Site · 2.3 hr4.8
Arizona Snowbowl Scenic GondolaDo not miss
Ride the chairlift up the San Francisco Peaks to 11,500 feet for sweeping views that reach the Grand Canyon on clear days.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.7
Lowell ObservatoryDo not miss
The historic hilltop observatory where Pluto was discovered offers daytime tours and evening telescope viewing under dark mountain skies.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.7
Museum of Northern ArizonaDo not miss
A handsome stone museum showcasing Colorado Plateau geology, Native art, and the cultures of the surrounding tribal nations.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.7
Riordan Mansion State Historic ParkDo not miss
A sprawling 1904 log-and-stone Arts and Crafts mansion with original furnishings, toured by guided walk through the timber-baron home.
Historic Site · 1.5 hr4.7
Historic Downtown FlagstaffDo not miss
A walkable grid of red-brick storefronts, indie shops, breweries, and cafes wrapped around the old railroad depot and Route 66.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.6
Historic Route 66 FlagstaffDo not miss
The Mother Road runs straight through town past neon motel signs, diners, and roadside Americana that recall the golden age of the road trip.
Scenic Route · 1.4 hr
Kachina Trail
A gentler high-elevation traverse from Snowbowl through meadows and aspen groves, a favorite for fall color without a summit grind.
Activity · 3.8 hr4.9
Bonito Lava Flow
A jagged black sea of jumbled basalt at the foot of Sunset Crater, crossed by a short interpretive trail through the volcanic rubble.
Nature · 53 min4.8
Buffalo Park
A flat two-mile loop across an open meadow with grandstand views of Mount Elden and the San Francisco Peaks, ideal for an easy walk or run.
Park · 1.4 hr4.8
Coconino National Forest
The vast pine forest that surrounds Flagstaff is laced with hundreds of miles of trails, alpine lakes, lava country, and high-country drives.
Nature · 4 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Flagstaff sits at about 7,000 feet, so pace yourself the first day, drink extra water, and expect cool evenings even in summer.
- The town is the world's first International Dark Sky City, so leave time after sunset for stargazing at Lowell Observatory or a quiet overlook.
- Many icons are short drives out of town (Grand Canyon, Sedona, the monuments), so rent a car and build in driving time.
- Mountain weather shifts fast: pack layers and a rain shell, and check for afternoon monsoon storms from July through September.
- Winter brings snow and ice on high roads and trails, so carry chains for Snowbowl and check conditions before alpine drives.