Flagstaff Region
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The Flagstaff region occupies the North Central section of Arizona, and features high desert and mountain landscapes, as well as the Grand Canyon itself.
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Flagstaff Area
Flagstaff is located about 3 hours north of Phoenix at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40. Flagstaff has many hotels at all price ranges, and accommodations can generally be found year round. Flagstaff is fairly large city with shopping, a University, and other activities. A favorite place to eat after a day in the field is Alpine Pizza, located in the old downtown section of Flagstaff.
Wupatki National Monument
- The Wupatki National Monument features several groupings of American Indian ruins constructed from the local red sandstone. The park is location less than an hour north of Flagstaff. These structures are quite dramatic against the deep blue Arizona sky, or during the Winter with the contrast of the snow against the red rock.
Plan on spending several hours at Wupatki between the various sites.
Sunset Crater National Monument
-The Sunset Crater National Monument is only a few miles away from Wupatki National Monument, and less than an hour from Flagstaff.
- The Sunset Crater Volcano was formed by a series of eruptions that occurred between 1040 and 1100 AD. The landscape features many lava forms, including cinder codes and twisted flows. There are several hiking trails. The easiest is a wooden walkway that provides many good shots of the lava features. There are longer trails for the more adventurous.
Walnut Canyon
- The Walnut Canyon National Monument can best described as ancient condominiums built in the sides of the cliffs in Walnut Canyon. Walnut Canyon is located just minutes east of Flagstaff on Interstate 40.
Grand Canyon
- Over 2,000,000 people a year visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The park is located about 2 hours north of Flagstaff using Highway 180. The Grand Canyon is a difficult place to visit in one day. Multiple days are required to capture some of the best sunrise and sunset opportunities from the rim. Hiking down into the canyon is difficult, requires a permit, and is only for those in shape for the multi-day trip to the canyon floor and back up again.
Highway 64 heading east can be used to link up with Highway 89 to head back to Flagstaff. This route will take you on a loop which will take you by Wupatki and Sunset Crater on the way back to Flagstaff.
One of the best places in the Grand Canyon to visit can't readily be accessed from Flagstaff at all: The North Rim! The North Rim area receives only about one tenth the visitors the South Rim does. But it is a long drive around the canyon from the South Rim, and about a 5 hour drive from Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon Lodge located on the North Rim is a classic National Park lodge, and the only accommodations on the North Rim. The rear patio offers spectacular sunset vistas. Get a spot on the patio early, as it fills up fast.
Petrified Forest National Park
The Petrified Forest is located a couple hours East of Flagstaff on Interstate 40. The Petrified Forest National Park is actually two parks in one, by also encompassing the Painted Desert National Park.
These parks provide a full day of exploring. There are several areas to head off the road and onto trails to more fully explore the landscape.
Best times to visit
All times of year. Summer can be crowded due to the tourists headed to the Grand Canyon. Winter has some crowds seeking the local skiing. Advanced reservations are recommended, but there are usually enough hotel locations that you can find something if you are just passing through.
