Things To Do
Grand Canyon South Rim
The Grand Canyon South Rim is just 1.5 hours from Flagstaff! You can see a good chunk of the south rim using the NPS shuttle system in about a half day. Our favorite view points are: South Kaibab and Yaki Point (Orange route), Hopi Point and Pima Point (Red Route). If you're interested in hiking - see South Kaibab Trail or reach out to Griffin and Charity for some recommendations.
Hike the South Kaibab Trail
If you plan to spend time in the Grand Canyon and are looking to hike, we highly recommend the South Kaibab Trail. It offers the best views for the effort even within the first few miles. Ooh Aah Point and Skeleton Point are worth the effort.
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon Detour
Fall colors should be peaking in northern Sedona and the red rocks are spectacular. We highly recommend taking the scenic route through Sedona via 89A from Phoenix to Flagstaff. It will add about 30 minutes to the drive time, but we promise it is worth it! If you have extra time and plan to explore: Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock all offer spectacular views. Parking can be a bit of a challenge in Sedona, especially on the weekends. We recommend going early or using the Sedona shuttle system. If you have a lot more time and you're looking for something a little more adventurous - reach out to Charity and she'll provide some additional options. :)
Horseshoe Bend
If you're planning on doing a little more exploring, Horseshoe bend is a few hours north of Flagstaff on the Utah border and is a great place to see the Colorado River up close. Bonus items in the area are the Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell Antelope Canyon (permits required), Navajo bridge and Vermillion Cliffs.
Superstition Mountains
Our favorite local mountain range. Rugged and beautiful, the Superstition Wilderness offers beautiful desert views. Our favorite view point is from Lost Dutchman State Park. You can hike to the top of Flatiron if you're up for a steep and fun scramble (weather permitting).
Local Activities Around Flagstaff
If you're looking to stay more local, there's plenty to do around town. Depending on the weather, the fall colors might be perfect on the Aspen Nature Loop, a 2.5-mile hike that offers views of mountains and meadows. For easier-access views, check out the Snowbowl Scenic Gondola. This will take you up to 11,500 feet, where you can spot some of the great outdoor destinations of northern Arizona atop an extinct volcano. Flagstaff was the first International Dark Sky City. If you enjoy stargazing and astronomy, make sure to check out the Lowell Observatory - it's where they discovered Pluto! Flagstaff also offers a booming craft brewery scene. Make sure to check out any of the 8 stops on the Flagstaff Brewery Trail - we particularly enjoyed the food and drinks at Dark Sky Brewing Co.