10 Must-Do Daytrips from Flagstaff
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Mike and I had the unique opportunity to live in beautiful Northern Arizona for several years. Flagstaff, a small mountain town is the gateway to many amazing national wonders, most notably the magnificent Grand Canyon which is just a little over an hour away. Asides from being an easy drive from one of the world’s most well-known wonders, this mountain city offers a number of attractive amenities of its’ own including the state’s biggest ski resort, a number of pretty mountain trails, a historic downtown, and a 4 season climate not found elsewhere in the state. Since moving here, we have taken daytrips almost every weekend to explore various historical and recreational sites.
This may come as a surprise to tourists who solely seek out the Canyon, but there is much more to see and do in this incredible region of the state. I knew little about the area before relocating here, but it quickly became my favorite place I’ve ever lived. Within a 2 hour drive you can get to so many fascinating and unusual places. From gorgeous alpine hiking trails, to historic Native American cliff dwellings, to the Red Rock Wonderland known as Sedona, there are endless places to explore, thus making this unique region a wonderful vacation destination for nature lovers and explorers.
If you are willing to hop in the car, there are endless wonders to explore. I have spent so many weekends exploring nature at its’ best. I have organized a guide to some of my favorite easily accessible roadtrips, all within a 2 hour drive.
Oak Creek Canyon – “The Smaller Cousin of the Grand Canyon”
If you only have time for 1 day trip, I highly recommend a drive down Oak Creek Canyon, followed by a beautiful red rock hike in Sedona. Just a few miles outside of the city on Hwy 89a begins the incredibly scenic 14 mile long Oak Creek drive, a magnificent journey featuring towering red rock formations, serene ponderosa pine forests, creek views, and a gorgeous variety of deciduous trees not found anywhere else in the state.
I love this drive so much. We were lucky enough to rent a house just 2 miles or so from the start. Our usual weekend itinerary consisted of this drive (it never gets old) and then hiking one of our favorite trails in Sedona.
The drive is one of the most scenic I have ever come across and will leave you in awe with each twist & turn. As you drive along, the views somehow get more and more spectacular. I love that there is so much to see and do along the way – it’s not simply just a drive. I recommend a hike along the West Fork, a delicious breakfast & espresso at Indian Gardens, shopping for Native American crafts, and stopping at the various scenic overlooks.
Many tourists also love sliding down natural water slides carved out of the red rock at Slide Rock. More outdoor fun includes fishing, camping, and secret swimming holes. There’s so much to do without even heading into Sedona so you can make this either a half or full day activity depending on your schedule.
Sedona – “Red Rock Wonderland”
When you arrive in Sedona aka Red Rock Country, you will have your pick amongst dozens of amazing trails. I’ve hiked the majority of these during my time living here. Here are a few of my favorites which are big on the red rock scenery but not too intense. Not into hiking? Don’t worry there are lots of great views which don’t require breaking a big sweat. One of these is the amazing Chapel of the Holy Cross, an incredible church built between 2 massive rock formations. You can look around the church at the beautiful stained glass art, light a candle in honor of a loved one, and also enjoy one of the biggest views in town.
For those who would like to do some unique shopping, Uptown Sedona is a beautiful little place to stroll around. Along with great views, you will also find a history trail, galleries, and lots of touristy shops selling eclectic Southwestern foods, gifts, and knick knacks. There are plenty of fantastic places for lunch, most of which offer breezy outdoor patios where you can soak in the views. My picks include: The Hudson (amazing ravioli), The Hideaway House (the best comfort food), or Wildflower Bread (I love their soups and salads).
Additional Details
Location: The drive begins about 10 minutes outside of the city on 89a and takes about 30-45 minutes. Plan extra time as needed for stops, photos, dining, and hiking. Note: it’s crowded during the summer.
Area recommendations: Breakfast and coffee at Indian Gardens, Hike the gorgeous West Fork trail, Stop for photos at Midgley Bridge, Oak Creek Vista scenic overlook (Native American artists and scenic views), Stroll around Uptown Sedona, Hike the Teacup trail, Dinner at The Hudson or Cucina Rustica.
Why it’s worth the drive: Out-of-this-world scenery, access to beautiful creekside trails not found elsewhere in the state, wonderful dining options with beautiful outdoor patios, the best breakfast in the state at Indian Gardens, endless options for hiking in one of the country’s most picturesque settings. Check out my Sedona tourist guide for more fun things to do.
Williams -“Get your Kicks on Rt. 66”
Williams is a tiny little town of just over 3000 about 40 minutes west of Flagstaff. As “the last town to be bypassed by I-40,” you will find lots in the way of Rt 66 nostalgia. It feels like a step back in time to walk the Main Street and see old fashioned diners, Rt 66 museums, and souvenir shops. I love history and anything retro, so it’s always fun to take a step back in time in these nostalgic towns. I’ve caught a few of the daily gunfight shows too which were pretty out there and memorable.
Asides from Rt 66 memorabilia, this town is most well-known for being home to the Grand Canyon Railway. Did you know that you can take a convenient train to the Canyon? The small town swells up with tourists both summer (as this is prime season for Grand Canyon tourism), and again in the winter for the popular Polar Express ride based on the classic children’s novel.
The drive to Williams is pretty short and actually pretty scenic with views of both the pine forests and wide open views of the countryside. Most tourists head here to enjoy the stress-free mode of transport, but there is a lot more to do. The ride is just okay – not much in the way of scenery but should be fun for anyone who loves trains. In my opinion, it’s a much better value to drive yourself and stay as long as you like as your time is severely limited with the train option. I prefer to drive myself and stay as long as I like, but I did love the western entertainment on this ride. And our visiting family members (who love trains) were very impressed.
Hiking & a great drive-thru wildlife park
Williams does offer a number of amenities of its’ own. So I would recommend a daytrip on its’ own. Bearizona, a wonderful drive-thru wildlife park is definitely a must visit. This is a great park and we enjoyed driving around, seeing all the animals in big natural enclosures. I heard it’s one of the top rated in the US.
And for outdoor lovers, there are a number of trails and parks in the area. Being located in the high altitude Kaibab National Forest, the trails are doable during the summer season as the weather tends to stay in the 80’s. Check out the Bill Williams, Sycamore Canyon, Kendrick Mountains, and Keyhole sink trail featuring a seasonal waterfall.
Additional Details
Distance from the city 40 minutes
Recommended activities: Bearizona, Stroll around historic Main Street, Ride the Grand Canyon Railway, Hiking in the Kaibab forest, Lunch & homemade pie at Pine Country restaurant
Why it’s great: Close proximity to the Grand Canyon, national forest land surrounding the city, high altitude 4 season climate, not as crowded and congested as Flagstaff, cheaper lodging than nearby towns, a nice base for exploring the wonders of this region
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon – “The 8th world wonder”
Flagstaff is the most popular lodging choice after the Grand Canyon itself due to its’ close proximity to the canyon (~hour and a half). Not only that but there is a lot to do here. I love all the local restaurants, coffeebars, and hiking trails at Snowbowl. While staying at a canyon hotel is awesome, most hotels are booked months in advance. Therefore, staying in this cute mountain town is your next best option. For all those last minute planners (I am one too), this is a great town to score deals.
Strangely, the Canyon is not considered to be one of the 7 wonders of the world, however, it is one of the Eighth World Wonders. This beauty is one of the deepest gorges worldwide with a depth of 1 mile and a width of 18 feet! And the colors are so magnificent, especially at sunrise and sunset. This is simply one of those places you must see in person. It is an easy addition to any explorer’s bucket list.
