Free things to do in Flagstaff

Description:

Flagstaff has a long history as a railroad town and major resting point for travelers out west. You'll definitely want to spend some time poking around the historic downtown, where stately, turn of-the-century buildings still stand guard over this busy high desert city. Highlights include the Tudor-inspired Santa Fe Railroad station (which houses the Visitor Center, where you'll want to stop and pick up a map), the1888 Babbitt Brothers Trading Company building, the Hotel Monte Vista, and Hotel Weatherford. Remnants of Depression-era roadside Americana can still be found on Route 66, which bisects downtown, including hotels, auto shops, and the Museum Club, a historic road house that continues to welcome road-weary travelers.

Description:

This bright and spacious art space on the northwest corner of the Northern Arizona University campus features paintings, sculpture, prints and ceramics by local, regional and national artists. Supplemented by guest artist lectures, workshops and demonstrations year-round, the collection includes works by Diego Rivera as well as turn-of-the-century furniture. The art gallery is open noon to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Our Local Expert Says:

Bumpy and fun if you don't get car-sick. Great rock-climbing areas along this road.

Description:

Be sure that your vehicle is in peak operating condition and that the unpaved path is in passable shape, and you're off on an exciting driving adventure! This dirt road rambles through the San Francisco Peaks and Elden Mountain range on its bisecting way between US Route 180 and US Route 89. Along the way, you'll see some of the area's most spectacular scenery from spots that are rarely trod upon by the average visitor. But remember, you'll be traveling some tough terrain, so be sure both you and your vehicle are up to the task. Contact the Flagstaff Visitor Center for more information.

Description:

This segment of the state-spanning Arizona Trail was designed to give the equestrian user a alternate route around Flagstaff to avoid the busy city traffic and also to provide a safe way to cross Interstate 40.

The trail follows the rim of Walnut canyon so have your camera ready, as the views are spectacular. There will be a variety of photo opportunities including scenic canyon shots to fabulous views of the San Francisco Peaks. There is also an abundance of wildlife. Keep your eyes open for elk, deer, antelope, squirrels, fox, coyote and many varieties of birds.

From the trailhead, you can go north or south. The northern route continues for 3.5 miles to Interstate 40. The southern route follows the rim of Walnut Canyon to Fisher Point and then across Walnut Canyon into the Mormon Lake District of the Coconino National Forest. This portion of the Arizona Trail goes to Marshall Lake.

Our Local Expert Says:

My personal, favorite spot in Flagstaff. Sublime meadow unexpectedly atop a steep, scraggly trail.

Description:

This quiet trail offers solitude to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers looking for a strenuous hike that has spectacular rewards. The rocky trail opens toward the top in a beautiful meadow that, particularly in the summer, is full of wildflowers. Purple, pink, yellow, blue, and orange dot this landscape beneath spectacular views of "The Peaks." Early morning hikers should tread softly and look out for elk, mule deer, and if lucky, black bear. Drive north from Flagstaff on US 180 to FR 420 (Schultz Pass Road). Drive east for 1 mile and, where FR 420 takes a hard left turn continue straight on FR 557 about 3 miles to the Brookbank trailhead.

Description:

Views of the San Francisco Peaks, the volcanic fields east of Flagstaff, Sunset Crater and even the Painted Desert are yours to enjoy along this high country trail. The route starts near Schultz Tank, a rare body of water here in these mountains Spanish explorers called sin agua (without water). It then climbs gradually to a high ridge where you'll find good views of Arizona's tallest mountain before continuing on to the east edge of Mount Elden's summit plateau. From this high perspective you can look down on Sunset Crater and the huge Bonito Lava Flow that borders it.

As you hike along this trail, take time out to check for black bear tracks in the dust. A few of these shy animals live in this area but usually all you see of them are their tracks. You have a much better chance of seeing elk and mule deer which are more plentiful and much less shy.

Along its highest reaches, the Sunset Trail traverses an area devastated by a fierce wildfire in 1977. At one point there was concern that the city of Flagstaff might even be consumed by this campfire gone wild. Here, among the burned out hulks of a once thriving forest you can see how nature recovers from such an all-consuming disaster. Pioneer plants such as aspen and Gambel oaks are already well established in the burned-over area. Sunset Trail provides a connecting route to Schultz Creek, Brookbank, Little Bear Trail, Upper Oldham, and Elden Lookout Trails.

Our Local Expert Says:

Bring more water and warmer layers than you would ever think you need. And don't forget some snacks--sugar will be a valuable commodity up there.

Description:

Be sure to bring a camera, as the Humphrey's Trail offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Colorado Plateau. From the top of this peak, resting at 12,336 feet above sea-level, hikers can view Sedona and the Verde Valley to the South and, particularly on clear days, the Grand Canyon can be seen on the north side. The Humphrey's trail begins alongside the Kachina Trail, from the trailhead at the back of the lower parking lot at Snowbowl. Simply go right when the trail "T's." Bring at least two, ideally three, quarts of water per person, plenty to eat, extra layers, and get an early start as this trail is 3 or 4 hours to the summit and a little less coming back. Be sure to sign the register at the top!

Our Local Expert Says:

Start from the backside off of Schultz Pass Road for a stroll in quiet solitude.

Description:

This easy trail offers visitors a wide array of what the true high country has to offer. Ponderosa pine gives way to Aspens, which later reveal Evergreens. All the while, breathtaking views of the highest peaks in Arizona and the valleys and canyons that lie below come into view. While there aren't steep inclines or large boulders to maneuver through this quiet trail, it is at high altitude, which shouldn't be taken lightly for those not acclimated. Bring at least two quarts of water for each person. Also bring a jacket – maybe a long sleeve shirt in the summer. The Kachina Trail can be accessed at the end of the lower Snowbowl parking lot. This is also where the Humphrey's Trail begins. A quarter mile down the trail, you will come to a T. Go left for the Kachina Trail, which eventually meets up with the Weatherford Trail. Go right for the Humphrey's Trail. Be sure to sign the register!

Description:

This rocky path over rolling terrain leads through a forest of ponderosa pines interspersed with stunted Gambel oaks and gnarled alligator junipers. Also found on this arid south slope of the Dry Lake Hills are a number of hardy shrubs and ground hugging desert plants. Among these are cliffrose, broadleaf yucca and prickly pear cactus. Combined they add a bit of desert ambiance to the surroundings. In season, colorful wildflowers add a splash of brightness to the rocky slopes. From mid-spring to late summer along the trailside you'll see a number of varieties of paintbrush, a creamy yellow flower called butter and eggs and lots of bright red penstemon.

Though this trail is quite close to town, evidence of wildlife is none the less common. The tracks of coyote and elk are frequently mixed in with the tracks of joggers, hikers and mountain bikers. In midsummer the sweet notes of the area's resident songbird, the hermit thrush echo through the forest. As the trail roller coasters over the shallow dry washes that crease the lower slopes of the Dry Lake Hills it offers good views of Flagstaff and its western suburbs. The upper reaches of Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons are visible in the background. So is Mormon Mountain.

Rocky Ridge Trail provides a convenient connecting route between Schultz Creek Trail and the Oldham Brookbank trails.