2021-08-22 20:31:55
With its otherworldly geology, dramatic tribal lands and concentration of national parks and monuments, Northern Arizona is a playground for road-trippers and outdoor adventurers alike. Ski through powdery snow. Hike up, up, up to Arizona’s highest peak or down, down, down into the world’s grandest canyon. Time travel to prehistoric civilizations or peer into the vast universe in hopes of making a new astral discovery. Past, present, future—the possibilities are endless in this diverse region. IN THIS REGION Flagstaff, Tuba City, Williams, Window Rock, Winslow Area Highlights RIORDAN MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK, FLAGSTAFF At this state park, take a guided tour of an architectural treasure: the 1904 duplex-style Riordan Mansion, one of the best examples of American Arts and Crafts architecture open to the public today. The 40-room mansion is outfitted in original Craftsman furnishings by Edison, Stickley, Ellis and Steinway. FORT HUBBELL TRADING POST NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, GANADO Dating back to 1878, this is the oldest operating trading post on the Navajo Nation. Tour the original 160-acre homestead— which includes the family home of owner Sam Hubbell, outbuildings and a visitor center with history exhibits—and shop handmade Navajo blankets, jewelry, baskets and pottery. STANDIN’ ON THE CORNER PARK, WINSLOW Nodding to the Eagles song “Take it Easy,” which references standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, this public park is a popular photo-op for road trippers traveling Route 66. Don’t miss the town’s annual Standin’ on a Corner Festival in September, featuring Eagles tribute bands. MONUMENT VALLEY TRIBAL PARK, OLJATO-MONUMENT VALLEY Instantly recognizable as an icon of the American Southwest, this dramatic landscape is punctuated by monoliths, mesas and spires. Trek 4 miles on the self-guided Wildcat Trail loop to see some of the park’s most famous rock buttes. GRAND CANYON Experience nature at its most awesome with a visit to Grand Canyon National Park. Get your camera ready for breathtaking views from the many scenic overlooks that dot the 277-milelong canyon carved by the Colorado River. For a truly thrilling adventure, take a multiday whitewater rafting trip through the canyon. THE ARBORETUM AT FLAGSTAFF, FLAGSTAFF Discover more than 750 species of plants showcased in greenhouses, gardens and natural habitats across 200 acres nestled deep within the Coconino National Forest. Listen to live music under the pines during the Summer Concert Series. HERITAGE SQUARE, FLAGSTAFF This popular gathering spot in the heart of historic downtown Flagstaff is surrounded by local shops and restaurants with welcoming patios. Stop by Heritage Square anytime throughout the year and you’ll find special events like Downtown Friday Nights, live music and performances, children’s activities and family-friendly movie screenings. EXPLORE NAVAJO INTERACTIVE MUSEUM, TUBA CITY Explore the culture, history and ceremonial traditions of the Navajo people through this fascinating museum that features an authentic hogan (Navajo home). A Navajo interpreter is on hand to explain the exhibits that reflect the Navajo journey through life Picture-Perfect Plates From showstopping burgers to creative breakfast concoctions, Flagstaff’s culinary scene is the stuff of foodie dreams—and with one scroll through Instagram, it’s easy to see why. Satisfy your own cravings with these must-taste picks around town. And don’t forget to post a picture or two while you’re at it. WINTER WONDERS With its lush forests and higher elevation areas, Northern Arizona is a snow lover’s winter wonderland. Take your pick from outdoor snow adventures, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned snow bunny. Less than 15 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona Snowbowl boasts an average of 260 inches of snowfall and the largest beginner terrain in the Southwest. Ski or snowboard down your choice of 55 runs or try something new with a ski-bike ride, ideal for an array of ability levels. At nearby Arizona Nordic Village, revel in a serene retreat of sugar-hued vistas and some 30 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. On White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands, you can ski, snowboard and ski-bike at Sunrise Park Resort, where coasting downhill includes magnificent views of the surrounding pines and open sky. 4 WATER ADVENTURES Warm water, spectacular scenery and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline draw sun-seekers to Lake Powell, which stretches from northern Arizona into southern Utah. Head to Wahweap Marina to rent personal watercrafts, paddleboards, kayaks—even houseboats— or to spend the night at Lake Powell Resort. With its towering canyon walls, thrilling whitewater rapids and star-filled nights, rafting the Grand Canyon is truly a bucket list adventure. Choose your level of thrill—from a 13-day oar trip through the entire canyon to a three-day motor trip paired with Western-style fun—with Arizona River Runners, in business for more than 50 years. Comprising 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area boasts plentiful water features, from the Instagram-famous Horseshoe Bend to sprawling Lake Powell. Raft, stand-up paddleboard, canoe or kayak along the Colorado River through this scenic area with Kayak Horseshoe Bend, offering convenient up-river backhaul service directly from fishing hot spot Lees Ferry. Bring all your water toys—jet skis, speedboats and water skis—to Lyman Lake State Park, where you’ll find a 1,500- acre reservoir with no size restrictions on watercraft. The west end of the lake, however, is buoyed off as a no-wake zone, making it ideal for anglers looking to snag walleye, catfish and largemouth bass from the snowmelt waters. INCREDIBLE Landscapes Some of the Southwest’s most unique landscapes can be found in Northern Arizona. VERMILION CLIFFS NATIONAL MONUMENT Undulating swirls of red and yellow sandstone, dramatic red cliffs and uncommon wildlife such as endangered California condors are just some of the draws to this 280,000-acre monument. Most roads require four-wheel drive—and the most notable sights require a permit—but the rewards are worth the effort. METEOR CRATER NATURAL LANDMARK, WINSLOW Approximately 50,000 years ago, a meteor slammed into the earth with the force of more than 20 million tons of TNT, creating a crater a mile across and more than 500 feet deep. Go on the 45-minute guided rim tour to learn about this epic event. SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT This spot looks so out of this world that parts of it doubled for the moon when astronauts needed a place to train for lunar landings. Explore this lava-altered landscape for yourself on a hike through loose cinder at the flow’s edge. PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK Not a forest in the traditional sense, this national park amazes with views of colorful mesas, buttes and badlands—not to mention the fossilized wood the park is named for, as well as petroglyphs, hoodoos and a stretch of historic Route 66.
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