Location: Flagstaff
Top Things to do in Flagstaff
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Things to do in Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ): The Best Nature & Parks
Astounding natural wonders, invigorating outdoor recreation and fascinating cultural attractions make Flagstaff the perfect getaway to rejuvenate the body and replenish the mind. Set at the base of the beautiful San Francisco Peaks, and surrounded by lush national forests, the city provides ample opportunity for fresh air fun. Spring, summer and fall bring hikers, campers and mountain bikers, while winter draws skiers and ice skaters. But don't let a focus on the "good old outdoors" fool you. Fostered by the local university, Flagstaff is also chock-full of educational and cultural attractions. Be sure to see the award-winning permanent exhibit "Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau" at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The Pioneer Museum offers a glimpse of what life was like for the early settlers of the region and includes a 1929 Baldwin locomotive in its collection. The city also has an arboretum and a planetarium. The entire area is a living anthropology and geology lesson, with ancient Native American ruins and stunning scenery at the Wupatki and Walnut Canyon National Monuments, just waiting to be explored.
Restaurants in Flagstaff
1. Humphrey's Peak Trail - San Francisco Peaks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By chalm1
From the parking lot walk across an open area (ski run) approximate elevation 9300', enter forest. Next 2 - 2.5 hours are an easy steady climb through the forest to the saddle at approximately 11.800', from saddle it's about 30-45 minutes to the summit at 12,633'. Trail is pretty well marked, only remember on place in the forest where I had to think about it for a moment. Above the saddle the trail is well worn, but even without it, say in winter, simply keep going up until there is no more up. There are three false summits, none of them large, along the way.
2. Walnut Canyon National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,639 reviews
See millions of years of history unraveled in the geology of the rocks at this popular scenic and historic hiking area, once populated by the Sinagua Indians.
Reviewed By potatofisher - Rapid City, United States
I debated actually stopping here, as we had had a long day of travels already, but I'm so glad we did. The canyon dwellings are amazing. The museum is closed, but the gift shop is open, and you can get your passport stamp there. There are 2 trails: the rim trail, which is paved and flat and follows the canyon rim, and the island trail, which goes down and then back up 180 steps into the canyon to get you up close to the cliff dwellings. If you can manage it, I highly recommend the Island Trail. The steps are almost all at the beginning/end (it's a loop trail), and the entire middle is a really nice stroll right along the ledge where the dwellings are. Many of the dwellings are open for you to enter as well! It's like walking through another world. Please note: since the park closes at 4:30, they will not allow you to start the Island Trail after 3:30pm, so make sure to arrive before then if you want to do it.
3. Wupatki National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,009 reviews
Explore this fascinating ancient pueblo, located near the San Francisco Peaks, which once housed almost 100 members of the Anasazi and Sinagua tribes.
Reviewed By kevingW5482NQ
Come in from the Sunset Crater side and stop at the first set of ruins. Perched atop a gigantic boulder, you’ll be able to get breathtaking views of the painted desert, the mountains, plains... stop next at the visitor center and walk down to the ruins there for more amazing scenery. There are other ruins on the way out toward the Grand Canyon, and they are all worth the stop and hike as well. This is amazing, American history and you won’t regret taking the time to contrast this monument with Sunset Crater, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Walnut Canyon... every place we stopped, my wife said, “I didn’t think anything could compete with the last place we were...”
4. Coconino National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Named after the Coho Native American people, this forest is two million acres of recreational, lumber, and mining land.
Reviewed By 5cindy - Fort Myers Beach, United States
We did the oak creek scenic drive through Coconino National Forest and it was absolutely beautiful. There are lots of trees in this area.
5. San Francisco Peaks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Located north of Flagstaff, these are the remains of ancient volcanic peaks that may have once reached 15,000 feet above the Colorado Plateau.
Reviewed By Monica58860 - Dousman, United States
If you take the loop road tour,, you will see these beautiful "peaks" along with so much more. Highly recommend if you are in the area. Plan to spend 2-3 hrs there as so much to see.
6. Kachina Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
This five-mile hiking trail, almost entirely within the boundaries of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, allows visitors sweeping views of Agassiz Peak, along with a variety of wildlife.
7. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,092 reviews
Located north of Flagstaff, this crater was created by a volcanic eruption 900 years ago.
Reviewed By NotNow99 - Salem, United States
At one end of this National Park is Sunset Crater, with it's unworldly lava flows & cruncy lava beds, beautiful views & paths. At the other is the beautiful Wupatki Ruins, all for one fee (or Parks Pass). The volcanic eruption can be seen on a lot of the local mountains which are gorgeous, and helped shape the settlements of the Native Peoples here & in other areas..
8. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure — a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servants' quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is a historic five-acre site located in the Kinlichi Knoll neighborhood of Flagstaff, Arizona, bordering the campus of Northern Arizona University. The park includes two almost identical homes built in 1904 by Michael and Timothy Riordan, two brothers who were members of a prominent Arizona family that played a significant role in the development of Flagstaff and northern Arizona and were involved in lumber, railroads, cattle, banking and politics. With 13,000 square feet of floor space, the two homes are connected by a rendezvous or game room. The architect was Charles Whittlesey, who also designed the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. Some of the similarities of the two grand structures include massive stone arches at porch corners and rustic exterior consisting of log planks, wood shingles and native stone. The park was opened to the public in 1983 but only for the Timothy Riordan (east) side of the building. The Michael Riordan (west) side was opened for self-guided tours in 2002. The Riordans were lumber barons and the mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious and opulent living in a small, territorial logging town. It is a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches and hand-split wooden shingles. It has 40 rooms, including servants' quarters. Interestingly, it was built 115 years ago with indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, central heat and electric lights, reflecting the most modern technology and design of the time. One of the most interesting features of the house are two unique sets of windows located in the central rendezvous room. Each window consists of seven black and white photographs with a translucent frosted glass background, depicting Southwest scenic landscapes and portraits of Native Americans with a diffused lighting background. The author of the spectacular photographs was John K. Hillers, a prominent photographer who accompanied John Wesley Powell on his second expedition to the Grand Canyon in 1879. Hillers met the Riordan brothers during archaeological excavations at Walnut Canyon in 1885 and was later commissioned by the Riordans to produce the windows for the adjoining family room of their twin mansion in Flagstaff.
9. Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By Campbell2 - Winslow, United States
I was told about this place by a Park Ranger at the Grand Canyon last year. He advised to go the second week in March to see the best of the Little Colrado abd the flow of the Grand Falls. The road is rutted with some gravel, dirt and goes through reservation area. Animals, suc as wild horses will come right up your vehicle. You can hear the falls from 500 yards away. Bring a picnic lunch and a camera and you will not be disappointment.
10. Thorpe Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
