Arizona Official State Travel Guide - Arizona 2025-26
Northern Arizona
2025-08-25 05:39:58
Flagstaff, Ganado, Grand Canyon Village, Hopi Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, Page, Pinetop-Lakeside, Pueblo of Zuni, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Tuba City, Williams, Window Rock, Winslow
With its otherworldly geology, dramatically hued 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.
AREA HIGHLIGHTS
ANTELOPE CANYON & VICINITY TOURS, PAGE AREA
Marvel at curvy sandstone walls when you explore the Navajo Nation’s majestic canyons, such as Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, Canyon X, Mystical Antelope Canyon or Ligai Si’ Anii Canyon. Numerous tour operators in the Page area offer guided experiences.
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-mile-long canyon carved by the Colorado River. For a truly thrilling adventure, take a multiday whitewater rafting trip through the canyon.
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 furnishings by Edison, Stickley, Ellis and Steinway.
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK, NEAR HOLBROOK
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 Triassic-Period animal fossils, petroglyphs, hoodoos and a stretch of historic Route 66.
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, farm animals, outbuildings and a visitor center with history exhibits — and shop handmade Navajo blankets, jewelry, baskets and pottery.
MONUMENT VALLEY NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK, OLJATO-MONUMENT VALLEY
Instantly recognizable as an icon of the American Southwest, this dramatic landscape is punctuated by monoliths, mesas and spires. Drive along the 17-mile loop to take in the scenery or book a guided tour for spectacular hiking and photography.
METEOR CRATER & BARRINGER SPACE MUSEUM, WINSLOW
Approximately 50,000 years ago, see where a meteor hit the earth, creating a crater a mile across and 550 feet deep. Go on the 45-minute guided rim tour of the crater, then explore the museum to feel the surface of an actual meteorite and to learn about the history and science behind meteors, asteroids, comets and more.
EVENTS IN THE AREA
Arizona Cowpuncher’s Reunion Association Rodeo
Williams
azcowpunchers.com
Balloon Regatta
Page
visitpageaz.com/event/balloon-regatta
Central Agency Fair
Chinle
centralagencyfair.org
Flagstaff Celtic Festival
Flagstaff
nachs.info/celtic-festival
Flagstaff Festival of Science
Flagstaff
scifest.org
Flagstaff Hullabaloo
Flagstaff
flaghullabaloo.com
Just Cruisin’ Car Club Car Show
Winslow
justcruisncarclub.com/home.html
North Rim Ramble
Jacob Lake
runazt.org/north-rim-ramble
Sweet Corn Festival
Taylor
snowflaketaylorchamber.org/annual-events
Scan here for more events
48 HOURS IN FLAGSTAFF
From geological history, rugged hiking trails, outdoor concerts and a thriving craft beverage scene, this in-and-out itinerary packs in the best of Northern Arizona’s high-country charm.
DAY 1
Kick off your trip with locally crafted brews, like the Daily Driver juicy pale ale, at Mother Road Brewing Company and enjoy barbecue and Cajun comfort food at the Sidecar Grill food truck. Then stargaze through telescopes at Lowell Observatory.
DAY 2
Bright and cozy Tourist Home Flagstaff Cafe is known for its fresh pastries and Southwestern breakfast burrito. Fueled up and ready to hike, choose from the easy 2-mile, wildflower-studded Buffalo Park Loop or the challenging Fatmans Loop Trail, which winds through rocky terrain with rewarding vistas.
Aprés hike, browse the Old Town Shops, a charming collection of boutiques and local artisan goods, before diving into Flagstaff’s cultural scene. The Museum of Northern Arizona honors the past and present of Indigenous culture and regional geology. Coconino Center for the Arts hosts both contemporary exhibits and live performances. Wrap with a tour of Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, an Arts and Crafts-style mansion from 1904.
As night falls, head to the base of the San Francisco Peaks for a flight of small-batch brews or grain-toglass spirits at Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery before indulging in the hyper-seasonal tasting menu at Atria. In the evening, catch a show at Orpheum Theater or an outdoor concert at Pepsi Amphitheater in Fort Tuthill County Park.
DAY 3
Fill up on one of the “owlrageous” omelets at The Toasted Owl Cafe before stepping back in time at Walnut Canyon National Monument, where you can explore ancient cliff dwellings and take in breathtaking views from the canyon’s rim. Before wrapping up your trip, reflect in the native plant gardens and ponderosa forest at The Arboretum at Flagstaff.
GET EVEN MORE FLAGSTAFF TRIP IDEAS.
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 powder professional.
Less than 15 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona Snowbowl boasts an average of 260 inches of snowfall and the most beginner terrain in the Southwest. Ski or snowboard down your choice of 55 runs or try something new with a ski-bike ride. Ages 12 and younger or 75 and older ski free. High Country Adaptive Sports at Arizona Snowbowl offers a specialized adaptive skiing and snowboarding program for people with disabilities.
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. Backcountry yurts are available for rent year-round.
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. For slower-paced fun, take a turn on the tubing hill or go on a sleigh ride.
GETAWAY IN GREER
Nestled amid the White Mountains, slip away to the small town of Greer — a high-altitude retreat covered in either fresh snowfall or wildflowers, depending on the time of year.
COZY CABIN VIBES
Settle into your log cabin right on the river at Greer Lodge Resort & Cabins. Wildlife sightings and catch-and-release fishing are all part of the experience. Just 15 minutes down the road at Sunrise Park Resort, hit the slopes of the state’s largest ski park (winter) or enjoy lift service for downhill mountain biking (summer). Don’t miss the seasonal Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster, which can reach speeds of 25 mph.
PINE-SCENTED ADVENTURE
Surrounded by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Greer offers over 2 million acres of outdoor pursuits among the ponderosa pine and juniper. Trek to Government Springs Trailhead, an out-and-back route through running creeks and rocky terrain with a waterfall reward. Seek shade at the stuck-intime Butterfly Lodge Museum, a 1913 hunting lodge filled with artifacts and stories of the Old West.
MOUNTAIN FUEL & FIRESIDE EATS
Get moving with an espresso latte or milky boba tea at Coffee Cure mobile coffee bus (check social media accounts beforehand to verify location). Refuel with lunch at Rendezvous Diner, dishing out comfort food like patty melts and meatloaf sandwiches. End the evening playing pool and sipping brews by a stone fireplace at the historical Molly Butler Lodge & Restaurant.
LAKE ESCAPES
Cool alpine air, shimmering blue waters — Arizona may be a landlocked state, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ample opportunities for a refreshing swim, breezy sail or just kicking it on the shore. Northern Arizona’s clear mountain lakes are a way of life, and it’s easy to get on board.
As the largest lake in the White Mountains region, Lyman Lake State Park in St. Johns has no boat or motor restrictions for those looking to get out on the water, making it ideal for water skiing, wakeboarding and Jet Skiing. From land, go for a dip in the no-wake zone or cast a line for walleye, bass and catfish. Tucked away in Fort Apache Indian Reservation is Hawley Lake, a high-country gem sitting above 8,000 feet. Serene summer escapes here are full of sailing, canoeing, camping and simply unwinding in the spruce-scented breeze. In the winter, set your hook for ice fishing when the lake freezes over. Surrounded by towering pines along the Mogollon Rim, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low is a favorite for anglers reeling in bass and trout. Rent a kayak or paddleboard during summer or camp along the peaceful shoreline in the cooler months.
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