Frequently Asked Questions

Flagstaff is located in beautiful Northern Arizona, 144 miles north of Phoenix and approximately 60 miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  Flagstaff is the heart of the Coconino National Forest, covered in Ponderosa Pine and surrounded by the San Francisco Peaks and many canyons, lakes and forests.  

The Coconino National Forest offers a variety of recreational opportunities... hiking and backpacking, trail riding by horse and bicycle, camping and picnicking, boating and fishing, and don't forget winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country and alpine skiing.

The Coconino Forest is made up of a number of distinct environments... each with their own unique flavor. Click on the links below.
Peaks District, high-country mountain forests and meadows.
Mormon Lake District, wide-open spaces, dotted with lakes.
Mogollon Rim District, lush forests on the edge of the Mogollon Rim.
Red Rock District, famous red-rock canyons, Oak Creek and more.

It's a safe bet that most visitors to Flagstaff intend to make at least a one-day trip to the Grand Canyon.  And it's now wonder; no matter how you want to take it all in by air, river or land, everyone can find a terrific way to see the Grand Canyon. Just 90 minutes from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon's South Rim, you can easily dedicate 1 - 10 days exploring the grandeur of the Grand Canyon by helicopter and air tours, river rafting tours, guided jeep and van tours, or a guided hike. Experience Grand Canyon tours from Flagstaff, whether you drive yourself using our handy driving directions below, or by hiring one of the professional tour operators we feature on flagstaff.com.

There are three ways you can get to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff)

Take I-40 west to Highway 64 (Exit 165, just east of Williams).  Head north on Highway 64 directly to the South Rim.  79 miles (96 km) - 1 hour 32 minutes.

Travel north on Humphreys Street to Columbus Avenue, turn left. Columbus Avenue becomes Highway 180. Take Highway 180 west to Highway 64. Head north on Highway 64 directly to the East Entrance of the South Rim - known as Desert View.  49.6 miles (79.8 km) - 55 minutes

Follow Route 66 northeast to Highway 89 (note: Route 66 will turn into Highway 89).  Take Highway 89 north for approximately 65 miles, turn left (west) onto Highway 64. Take Highway 64 directly to the East Entrance on the South Rim - known as Desert View.  50 miles (80 km) - 55 minutes
 

Take US 89 and US 89A north from Flagstaff.  On top of the Kaibab Plateau turn south on Highway 67.  207 miles (333 km) - 4 hours 4 minutes.

Take I-40 west to Kingman.  North on Stockton Hill Rd to Pierce Ferry Rd.  Take Pierce Ferry Rd north to Diamond Bar Rd. Go east on Diamond Bar Rd.  **Diamond Bar Rd will end at the only entrance to Grand Canyon West, which is the Grand Canyon West Airport. Take the park and ride shuttle to Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk.

Click here for a full list of driving directions to Flagstaff

We've gathered driving directions, mileage and drive time between Flagstaff and Sedona - a popular day-trip from either direction.  We've also provided a description of the beautifully scenic route from Flagstaff to Sedona and back as well as a sample itinerary includes several of our picks as quintessential Sedona activities and adventures.

If it is snowing, take Interstate 17 south from Flagstaff about 41 miles to State Highway 179. From there, go about 15 miles north on Highway 179 and you will enter Sedona.
56 miles (90.1 km) - 1 hour

If the weather is good, begin taking Interstate 17 south from Flagstaff. Just 2 miles south of the junction of Interstate 40 and 17, exit at US highway 89A (exit 337). This takes you on a breathtaking 27 mile drive through Oak Creek Canyon.
29 miles (47 km) - 40 minutes

Via I-17:  In Sedona, from the intersection of Highway 179 and Highway 89 - known as "the Y" - take Highway 179 south through the Village of Oak Creek to I-17.  Take I-17 north 41 miles to Flagstaff.
56 miles (90.1 km) - 1 hour

Via Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon:  From "the Y" in Sedona, take Highway 89A north through Oak Creek Canyon 25 miles to I-17.  Take I-17 north 2 miles to Flagstaff.
29 miles (47 km) - 40 minutes

Suggested Sedona day trip itinerary ideas

• Take a Jeep tour and see parts of Red Rock country you may not have an opportunity to see otherwise.
• Revitalize your body and spirit with a massage, facial, beauty treatment at a Sedona day spa or resort spa.
• Take a guided vortex hike Experience areas of concentrated energy rising from the earth. You may feel a range of sensations from a slight tingling on exposed skin, to a vibration emanating from the ground when you encounter a vortex.  Most often a vortex creates a palpable sensation across the nape of the neck and shoulder blades.
• Ride the Sedona Trolley - A city and scenic tour on the Sedona Trolley is "The Best First Thing to Do in Sedona!"
• Visit Red Rock Crossing - One of the most photographed scenes in the southwest is towering Cathedral Rock reflected in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. It should come as no surprise, then, that the picnic area located at that same site is as popular as it is beautiful.
• Shop ‘til you drop at several shopping areas in Sedona including:
  • Tlaquepaque, (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh), Sedona Arizona's Arts & Crafts Village, an authentically-fashioned traditional Mexican village.
  • Sedona Main Street  is a vibrant pedestrian-friendly destination that embraces the beauty of the surrounding red rocks and creates a unique experience for all to enjoy.
  • Hillside Sedona Sedona's premier shopping and dining destination! You will find some of the most prestigious art galleries in the Southwest, award-winning dining, quality high fashion clothing for both men and women, unique specialty shops, wine tasting from around the world, and distinguishing home decor.
• Get a bird’s eye view of the red rocks on a Sedona helicopter tour.  Seeing Sedona by air will truly take your breath away. The views are spectacular...beyond compare. Whether by helicopter or airplane, be sure to see the Sedona by air...and let your dreams take flight.

Fly US Airways Express or private/charter aircraft into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG).  Check out the USAirways.com for commercial flights to Flagstaff from all over the U.S., connecting through Phoenix.

Flagstaff's seasonally clear, cool summer days and nights make for perfect take off and landing conditions for commercial and private aircraft. With a new runway extension completed in December 2007, Flagstaff's Pulliam Airport (FLG) is even better-equipped to handle large aircraft and corporate jets.

Flagstaff is currently serviced daily by one commercial airline: US Airway Express flying into Flagstaff from Phoenix. Click here for more information about the Flagstaff airport.
 

There are several ways to get to Flagstaff by car, airplane, bus, or even Amtrak train.

• Fly commercial into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 144 miles (232 km) - 2 hours - to Flagstaff.  Click here for driving directions from Phoenix to Flagstaff.
• Fly  commercial into Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and drive 242 miles (406 km) - 3 hours, 53 minutes - to Flagstaff.  Click here for driving directions from Las Vegas to Flagstaff.
• Fly US Airways/America West Airlines or private/charter aircraft into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.  Check out the US Airways website for commercial flights to Flagstaff from Phoenix.
• Fly private or charter aircraft into Sedona Airport and drive 27 miles (43.4 km) - 40 minutes - to Flagstaff.
• Drive to Flagstaff - Click here for directions from several starting points and the driving distances.
• Shuttle service from Phoenix to Flagstaff (and Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon South Rim) can be arranged through Arizona Shuttle arizonashuttle.com.
• Greyhound bus service from Phoenix to Flagstaff, including fares and schedules can be found on greyhound.com
• Amtrak train service.  Board an Amtrak line from all over the U.S. to Flagstaff (train station FLG).
  • Note: A common misconception is that there is a train from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. There is no train service from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon; however, the Grand Canyon Railway departs from Williams, AZ and goes to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.  Williams is 35 miles (56 km) - 36 minutes - from Flagstaff. Grand Canyon Railway tour information and links can be found on our Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Tours page.

There are several ways to get around Flagstaff:

• Once in Flagstaff, we recommend you rent a car to get from the airport to downtown Flagstaff (about 5 miles) or all around the surrounding areas.
• Or, take a taxi from the airport to your hotel
• Or, book a hotel that offers a free airport-to-hotel shuttle.  If you choose this optoin or a cab service, be prepared to do a lot of walking. Flagstaff's downtown area and Northern Arizona Campus are very walkable, but depending on weather and your hotel's location in relation to downtown, you may end up walking several miles on fairly busy streets.

Flagstaff is the Northern Arizona epicenter for anthropological and natural history, science, wildlife and environmental organizations, national monuments and recreational areas.  In and around Flagstaff, you'll find must-see attractions that each hold a unique distinction in our state or nation's history.  For example, did you know Pluto was discovered in 1930 by astronomers at the Lowell Observatory? It's true!  And that's just the beginning of the fascinating facts about these Flagstaff, Arizona attractions.

• Lowell Observatory: Located just one mile west of historic downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, Lowell's scenic Mars Hill campus is the site of our 6500-square foot Steele Visitor Center. We offer guided campus tours daily on the hour from 1 PM to 4 PM, and tours, exhibits and telescope viewing in the evenings. Experience outstanding views of the heavens and wide-screen, cinematic multimedia shows. Come to Lowell and discover your Universe!
• The Arboretum at Flagstaff: The Arboretum at Flagstaff, home to one of the largest collections of high country wildflowers in America, is open to visitors from April 1 through October 31 annually.  The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a botanical garden, research station, and environmental education center.  A visit to "The Arb" will help you better understand the plants and plant communities of the world-renowned Colorado Plateau, home to such natural wonders as Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks.  The Arboretum is known for its beautiful collection of 2,500 species of plants, guided tours, Wild Birds of Prey programs, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, meadows, and forests.
• Arizona Historical Society - Pioneer Museum: The Arizona Historical Society has the world's largest collection of Arizona history artifacts, documents, and photographs. The society offers research, educational programs, and tours.  The Arizona Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum is located in the historic Coconino County Hospital for the Indigent. The Pioneer Museum collections include farm machinery, vehicles, costumes and pioneer memorabilia. The largest exhibit, a 1929 Baldwin articulated locomotive and a Santa Fe caboose, was moved to the museum grounds in 1994.  The museum houses more than 10,000 artifacts associated with the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona, including livestock working gear, medical equipment, household items, toys and dolls, textiles and costumes.  In addition to artifacts, the Pioneer Museum also has collections of photographs, books and manuscripts. These archival collections are housed in the Special Collections and Archives Department of the Cline Library at Northern Arizona University and form the primary archival resources documenting the written and visual history of northern Arizona.
• Museum of Northern Arizona: Over its 75-year history in Flagstaff, the Museum of Northern Arizona has evolved into a regional center of learning with collections, exhibits, educational programs, publications, and research projects that serve more than 100,000 people each year. As the only accredited museum within 150 miles of Flagstaff and the only natural history museum within 250 miles, the Museum of Northern Arizona plays a vital role as interpreter of the  Colorado Plateau.  To enhance the lives of those who share an interest in and love for the natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau, the Museum of Northern Arizona has created a dynamic and ever-evolving community where people of all ages, interests, and cultures come to build relationships with each other on a forested, nearly 225-acre inter-generational campus.
• Riordan Mansion: Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, the Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure - a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servant's quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.  Daily tours are given on the hour. Tour size is limited and reservations are highly recommended. Reservations are made by calling the Park at (928) 779-4395. Your guide will lead you through a pristine historic home filled with original artifacts, handcrafted furniture, and personal mementos of the Riordan families.
• Heritage Square in Downtown Flagstaff: Heritage Square Trust's goal is to make quality entertainment and artistic talent accessible to all audiences by omitting admission fees and utilizing Flagstaff's only open-air amphitheater.  Heritage Square provides an opportunity for all socio-economic backgrounds to experience professional entertainment and art, free of charge.  Heritage Square is the perfect venue to showcase local arts and entertainment, music, dance, drama, free concerts and movie showings.  Check out the Heritage Square calendar of events or the flagstaff.com calendar of events for festivals and seasonal open-air events like Movies on the Square.
• Walnut Canyon National Monument: Walk in the footsteps of people who lived at Walnut Canyon more than 700 years ago. Peer into their homes, cliff dwellings built deep within canyon walls. The presence of water in a dry land made the canyon rare and valuable to its early human inhabitants. It remains valuable today as habitat for plants and animals. See for yourself on trails along the canyon rim and into the depths.
• Coconino National Forest: The Coconino National Forest is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous Red Rocks of Sedona to Ponderosa Pine Forests, to alpine tundra. Explore mountains and canyons, fish forest lakes and wade in lazy creeks and streams.
• Wupatki National Monument: Less than 800 years ago, Wupatki Pueblo was the largest pueblo around. It flourished for a time as a meeting place of different cultures. Yet this was one of the warmest and driest places on the Colorado Plateau, offering little obvious food, water, or comfort. How and why did people live here? The builders of Wupatki and nearby pueblos have moved on, but their legacy remains.
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: Sunset Crater Volcano was born in a series of eruptions sometime between 1040 and 1100. Powerful explosions profoundly affected the lives of local people and forever changed the landscape and ecology of the area. Lava flows and cinders still look as fresh and rugged as the day they formed. But among dramatic geologic features, you'll find trees, wildflowers, and signs of wildlife – life returns.
• Meteor Crater: Located in Northern Arizona, a visit to the Meteor Crater Visitor Center provides you with an enjoyable educational experience in well maintained, modern facilities. Four observation areas behind the Learning Center allow you to view the crater from inside the rim. Although Meteor Crater is over 4,000 feet across, and 550 feet deep, the observation telescopes allow you a close up look. Daily guided rim tours are available.
• Arizona Snowbowl: Located on the scenic San Francisco Peaks, the Arizona Snowbowl is just a few hours from Phoenix. It's a great place to escape the summer heat, watch the aspens turn gold in the fall, and of course, ski all winter long. Since Arizona Snowbowl is only 70 miles from the Grand Canyon, this makes a great stop along the way. And the outdoor opportunities don't stop at the ski resort; there's great hiking and mountain biking right in Snowbowl's backyard. And be sure to check out Arizona Snowbowl lodging at the Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins.

 

Downtown Flagstaff has much to offer the visitor. Within about a dozen easily-walkable city blocks, you can stroll to and from a variety of one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, hotels, galleries and outfitters. Click here for a list of a number of downtown Flagstaff businesses and links to other relevant sections here on flagstaff.com.

With four seasons to experience all the popular outdoor Arizona recreation activities, visitors to Flagstaff can't help but take advantage of the Flagstaff Arizona hiking, skiing, boating, and biking Flagstaff Arizona has to offer. There's a Flagstaff, Arizona outdoor activity for everyone: Flagstaff's Arizona Snow Bowl skiing, mountain biking, Flagstaff-to-Grand-Canyon tours, river rafting and backpacking, horseback trail riding, golf, hiking, boating, fishing, lakes and recreation areas.

This one is impossible to answer without knowing each individual's desires, tastes and needs, but it's fair to say that you are certain to find Flagstaff accommodations that are just right for you.  In general, Flagstaff lodging consists largely of clean, comfortable hotels from familiar brands like Hilton, Marriott and Intercontinental Hotels. You'll find mostly limited service hotels and motels, with a few upscale boutique hotels and historic accommodations. Many Flagstaff visitors are drawn to the European tradition of bed & breakfasts that have taken up residence around Flagstaff. Charming, unique inns offer everything from Victorian luxury downtown to elegant rusticity in nearby foothills and mountains. Still other visitors wil revel in the notion of renting a Flagstaff cabin - be it for summer hiking and biking or winter skiing and snowboarding - to experience the best of northern Arizona out-of-doors. Got your heart set on a luxury resort and spa? Check out nearby Sedona - a red rock mecca for upscale accommodations and restorative spas just 30 miles from Flagstaff.

Click here for a detailed description of Flagstaff weather by season, as well as a table of annual average temperatures by month.

Click here for our NAU Fact Sheet.

There are several stories on the history of Flagstaff, but perhaps the most commonly told is that of one pioneer-days Fourth of July celebration, when an American flag, tethered by rawhide strings, was raised on the trunk of a lofty pine stripped of its branches. The improvised flagstaff could be spotted from miles away and became a valley landmark. Homesteaders journeying to the area were told to travel due West, until they saw the flagstaff - a sign they'd reached the camp.

 In 1876 Thomas F. McMillan arrived; today he is credited for being the town's first permanent settler. In 1881, the first post office was established and the railroad soon barreled into town. With industry and infrastructure, Flagstaff began to grow. The town had timber, sheep and cattle and by 1886 Flagstaff was the biggest city on the main line between Albuquerque and the Pacific coast. Five years later, Dr. Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff for its impressive altitude and clear view of the night sky. Consequently, the Lowell Observatory was built in 1894 and it became famous as the home of the discovery of the planet Pluto in 1930.

The Arizona Teachers College was founded in 1899, and by the 1960s, it became Northern Arizona University. During the 1920's, Route 66 was built and passed right through town making Flagstaff a popular tourist stop. The city of Flagstaff was incorporated in 1928 with the help of Route 66 tourism revenue. Flagstaff continues to grow today as both a tourist destination and hometown; over 50,000 residents have discovered its picturesque mountains, outdoor recreation, and college-town atmosphere are coupled with all the makings of the perfect place to relocate, retire or acquire a second home.