The Grand Canyon almost needs no introduction and defies definition. It is known throughout the world for its overwhelming size and labyrinthine landscape of ever-changing color. The Grand Canyon is the quintessential day trip from Flagstaff any time of the year. Located just 75 miles north of Flagstaff, “gateway to the Grand Canyon.” (We can show you a great scenic day trip or arrange a guided tour.

When USA Weekend compiled their Most Beautiful Places in America list, Sedona claimed the top spot. Surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, visitors have instant access to recreational activities. Trails for hiking and biking, along with bouncy jeep tracks, weave among the bristling forest of pinnacles, spires, buttes and domes. Yet, you’re never far from the indulgences of town.

With unique shopping, lodging, dining, and some of the best art, entertainment, events and education in the region, Downtown Flagstaff offers authentic experiences for everyone.

Experience the beauty and history of the pristine stream-cut gorge that is Walnut Canyon National Monument. Two paved foot trails begin at the Visitor Center, one passing 25 of the cliff-dwelling rooms, the other overlooking the canyon. Located only 10 miles east of Flagstaff . (Open daily except Dec. 25)

Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments, 12 and 26 miles north of Flagstaff, was once home to the ancestors of today’s Hopi and Zuni Indians, the Anasazi and Sinagua people. The landscape that shaped the lives of these people 800 years ago appears unchanged, in many ways, since the eruptions. Take a driving tour or walk the trails and visit four of the ancient pueblos. (Visitor Centers open daily year-round. Picnic areas located along the loop road.)

The Arizona Snowbowl offers 2,300 feet of vertical drop and 32 scenic alpine trails for all levels of skiers and snow-boarders and, during summer, the Scenic Skyride, a serene, tree-top ride up to 11,500 feet and breathtaking views.

In Flagstaff’s backyard, the San Francisco Peaks, remnants of an ancient volcano, feature Arizona’s only true alpine environment and its highest elevation, Humphreys Peak, which offers hikers a real “top of the world” feeling. Myriad hiking trails take you through old-growth forests thick with waist-high ferns, mature aspen groves and sun-splashed meadows.

Since the early days of Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff locals have referred to the mesa on which the facility sits as Mars Hill. Most of Lowell’s current research telescopes are now located at observing sites outside of Flagstaff, but Mars Hill remains the hub of Observatory activity and the destination of nearly 100,000 visitors annually. Lowell owns 750 acres atop this tree-covered terrain, with staff offices, historic telescope domes, and visitor services grouped at the southeastern portion, just one mile west of downtown Flagstaff.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is the site of early 12th Century cliff dwellings of great proportions: 5 and 6 stories high, 20 to 45 rooms, set in cliff recesses a hundred feet above the valley floor.

Meteor Crater is the best-preserved meteorite impact site on Earth. The topographical terrain of this gaping chasm 570 feet deep and almost a mile across so closely resembles that of the Earth’s moon and other planets that NASA designated it one of the official training sites for the Apollo astronauts. Today, 49,000 years after the devastating impact, Meteor Crater is one of Arizona’s most popular visitor attractions. (Museum of Astrogeology, gift store, lapidary shop and coffee shop. Open year-round)

Begin your journey into Oak Creek Canyon, the luscious valley where water abounds, at Oak Creek Vista, 13 miles south of Flagstaff (on Hwy. 89A). Here you can enjoy an impressive stroll along the rim of the canyon and find Native Americans selling their handmade jewelry. The West Fork of Oak Creek is one of the most spectacular canyons in Arizona, with its colorful walls rising hundreds of feet straight up, picturesque stream and interesting flora and fauna. The trailhead of this famous, easy hike is right on 89A and open year-round. Down the road a piece (18 mi. from Flagstaff), in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon, is the popular natural waterslide in the creek, Slide Rock State Park. Near Sedona, there’s a day spa nestled in the red-rock cliffs, complete with creekside whirlpool, sunning/massage decks and 50-foot cascading waterfall.

Horseshoe Bend is a gorgeous horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona. Horseshoe Bend is located 5 miles (8.0 km) downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, about 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Page. It is accessible via hiking a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) round trip. Horseshoe Bend is popular just before sunset! It is about a two hour drive from Flagstaff.