Things to Do in Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona is a mountain town nestled just below 7,000 feet near the San Francisco Peaks and above the Mogollon Rim. Originally rooted in the lumber industry, Flagstaff later grew thanks to the railroad, Route 66, and today’s Interstate 40.
Surrounded by Coconino National Forest and the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America, Flagstaff is an outdoor lover’s paradise. There are hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and biking, tons of camping options, and even skiing at Arizona Snowbowl. Nearby, you’ll also find several National Monuments, historic sites like Lowell Observatory, and epic day trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
Whether you’re here for mountain air, great food, or scenic adventures, Flagstaff offers it all. And as always—practice Leave No Trace, pack out your trash, and respect others on the trail.
Table of Contents
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails in Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona offers incredible hiking in and around Coconino National Forest. Most trails wind through ponderosa pines and aspen groves, with cooler temperatures thanks to the higher elevation. Be prepared for rocky terrain, loose dirt, and lava rock. These are all remnants of the area’s volcanic past. If you are wondering how to prepare for hiking at higher elevation, REI has a helpful blog post that covers the essentials.
Fall is one of the best times to hike in Flagstaff, especially when the aspen trees change color. We recommend using the LEAF ometer from Discover Flagstaff to help time your visit. And always follow Leave No Trace. Carving into aspen bark can be harmful to the trees!
Aspen Nature Loop
This short and scenic trail winds through a beautiful aspen grove near Arizona Snowbowl. It’s especially popular in the fall when the leaves turn a stunning golden yellow, usually around mid October. It’s a great choice for an easy, family friendly hike with rewarding views.
Abineau Trail to Bear Jaw trail
This is one of our favorite trails to see aspens waving green in the summer and glowing yellow in the fall. The route takes you through beautiful high elevation forest with great views of the San Francisco Peaks.
To reach the trailhead, you’ll need a vehicle that can handle rough forest roads. While AllTrails and the Forest Service list the hike as 6.6 miles, we’ve recorded closer to 7.6 miles both times we’ve done it. This is a challenging trail, so make sure to hike prepared with plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and layers for changing weather.
Elden Lookout Trail
Elden Lookout Trail is a challenging climb to the top of Mount Elden. The route is steep and features a series of switchbacks that will test your legs. However, the effort is worth it — the summit offers sweeping views of Flagstaff and the surrounding area. If you’re lucky, the fire lookout tower at the top may be open, giving you an even better vantage point.
Rocky Ridge Trail
Rocky Ridge Trail is a versatile route that can easily connect with several trails in the Schultz Peak area. We chose to do it as an out and back hike, but you can also create a loop with nearby trail connections depending on your time and energy.
Walnut Canyon Via Sandy Canyon and Arizona Trail
This has quickly become one of our recent favorites in Flagstaff. Although it is relatively close to Flagstaff, once you drop into the canyon, it feels incredibly remote. The views are stunning throughout, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it a great escape from town.
Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail
This short and easy trail offers an enjoyable walk through the forest with informative signs along the way. It’s a great option for families or anyone looking for a relaxing nature stroll. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and definitely recommend it for a slower-paced adventure.
Kendrick Peak Trail
Kendrick Peak rises over 10,000 feet and features a fire lookout tower at the summit. While we didn’t make it all the way to the top during our October trip, we hiked about halfway and were still rewarded with incredible views. This trail is definitely on our list to return to and complete the full climb soon!
Humphreys Peak Trail
This is Flagstaff’s most challenging hike and leads to the tallest peak in Arizona at 12,637 feet. The trail is steep, rocky, and exposed at higher elevations, so preparation is key. For tips on how to plan and what to expect, check out our full blog post on hiking Humphreys Peak.
Inner Basin Trail
Inner Basin is a stunning aspen-filled trail that shines in the fall. Due to past forest fire damage, the road to the trailhead is currently closed to vehicles. However, it’s still accessible by hiking in. The road hike adds about 3 miles one way and over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, making the overall journey more strenuous. The extra effort is worth it — golden aspens, quiet forest, and mountain views await. Check out our reel for a closer look at this trail.
Lake Mary Recreation
If you are looking to cool off or enjoy a day by the water, Lake Mary is a great spot just southeast of downtown Flagstaff. This destination offers water based recreation managed by the Coconino National Forest. Depending on snowmelt and water levels, the lake is split into Upper and Lower Lake Mary. Lower Lake Mary appears seasonally, while Upper Lake Mary is typically available year round, though water levels vary.
Boating, paddle boarding, and swimming are popular activities here. Certain sections allow speed boats and personal watercraft, while designated no wake zones are perfect for fishing and more relaxing paddles. Several day use areas have parking and boat ramps. A day pass or an Interagency pass like the America the Beautiful Pass is required.
Mountain Biking
Flagstaff has hundreds of miles of multiuse trails and forest roads that are perfect for mountain biking. We rode the Hart Prairie Loop on the north side of the San Francisco Peaks through the Coconino National Forest. This scenic trail connects with the Arizona Trail to create a loop with forest views and varied terrain.
We are just getting started mountain biking in Flagstaff and cannot wait to explore more of the area’s amazing trails.
Parks and Monuments
Long before western expansion, the Flagstaff area was home to the Sinagua and other Indigenous peoples. Today, you can visit several culturally significant sites that honor and preserve this rich history. In addition, Flagstaff offers unique opportunities to explore local heritage, learn about space discoveries at the historic observatory, and enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences.
National Park Service Monuments
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Although this national monument is on the smaller side, it offers a short but scenic hike with many stairs and stunning canyon views. We especially recommend visiting for a glimpse into the cliff dwellings and cultural history of the Sinagua people.
Sunset Crater National Monument
Next, consider exploring Sunset Crater National Monument, which is often visited alongside neighboring Wupatki National Monument. The volcanic geology here is fascinating and dramatically shaped the surrounding landscape. Be sure to take the scenic drive between the two sites — the views are well worth it.
Wupatki National Monument
This remarkable site features ancient pueblos you can still walk around and explore up close. Several different pueblos are spread throughout the monument, and each one is worth a stop. Don’t miss the natural blowhole! It’s a unique and fun feature to experience.
For an in depth guide to the three national monuments and the trip we made to see all three, you can check out our blog post here: Guide to Flagstaff’s Three National Monuments
Arizona State Parks
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park offers a fascinating glimpse into Flagstaff’s past. The craftsmanship and history of this 1904 mansion are truly impressive. We highly recommend taking the ranger guided tour to see the interior, though note that photos are not allowed. The mansion had indoor plumbing and electricity at a time when that was rare, and the tour provides great insight into its connection to Flagstaff’s early development.
Other Sites
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is a must visit while in Flagstaff. Located on the aptly named Mars Hill, this historic site is home to the 128 year old Clark Telescope and the telescope that led to the discovery of Pluto. In addition to its rich history, the observatory features modern telescopes. On clear nights, staff focus them on distant nebulas, star clusters, and planets, offering an unforgettable stargazing experience. Lowell Observatory Website
Sedona
Planning to visit Sedona while you’re in Flagstaff? It’s just a 45-minute drive away. Check out our Sedona guide for hikes, views, and places to explore.
Where to Eat in Flagstaff
Where To Stay in Flagstaff
We love spending the night in Flagstaff! Since we often travel with our dog, Finnick, we’re always on the lookout for great dog friendly places to stay. We’ll continue updating this list as we explore more spots.
There are three homes within Joe’s compound and we’ve stayed at two of them. In June of 2024 we stayed at the Unique Downtown Cottage and in October of 2024 we stayed at Joe’s Bike Shop w/ Garage and EV Charging. Both of these stays are under management from The STR Life, and the CEO, Dan, has been very gracious enough to offer a 5% discount on all bookings for any 2 nights or more until the end of the 2024 at any of the STR Life properties. Check out everything they have to offer and more. Use code HIKEAHOLICS for the discount.
Additionally, if you have your own property that you’d like offer as a short term rental or already do and want some consultation from an expert, Dan is offering a 20% discount on his consultation services, just mention our name when you reach out to him here.
Joe's Compound: Unique Downtown Cottage - Modern & Peaceful
Joe's Compound: Joe's Bike Shop w/ Garage and EV Charging
Green Tree Inn
We’ve stayed at the Green Tree Inn a couple times in Flagstaff for single night stays. We like that it has been a good price and is fairly modern and in good condition. It’s been a couple years since we’ve last stayed there, but it’s always a consideration because it dog friendly!
Camping in Flagstaff
Flagstaff is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, which offers plenty of options for both designated campgrounds and dispersed camping. We hope to explore more of them soon and will continue updating this list as we do.
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview Campground sits across the road from Lake Mary near the Lake Mary Narrows. Some campsites are closer to the road and may have traffic noise, but the location is convenient for lake access. The campground has vault toilets, potable water, and can be reserved on receation.gov.
