Summer rivals winter for Flagstaff's busiest tourist season for three reasons: 

No matter what the season, "casual" is the dress code pretty much everywhere you go in Flagstaff.  Oodles of outdoors-enthusiasts, college students, environmentalists and (dare-I-say) hippies set the tone in Flagstaff, so tourists dressed for the outdoors will fit right in.

Pack plenty of tank tops or short-sleeved shirts, shorts and sandals for walking around town.  You'll want close-toed shoes or hiking boots for any open-air Flagstaff-to-Grand Canyon tours or activities like hiking or mountain biking.  Bring a light jacket for the evenings and hiking in the upper elevations and at the windy Grand Canyon.  And better make it water-resistant; you can expect summer rain showers.

Be sure to bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and water-shoes so you can wade along in Oak Creek, especially if you visit Slide Rock State Park - the area's most popular section of Oak Creek Canyon, the beautiful 25-mile winding stretch of Highway 89A that connects Flagstaff and Sedona.  Families and individuals love swimming, wading and of course sliding in the cool Oak Creek waters.

Insider Visitor Tip:  A handful of summer arts & crafts, music & science festivals take place in July, August & September every summer, so check out our Flagstaff Calendar of Events for dates and details.

Fall in Flagstaff means changing leaves creating a spectacular chroma-color backdrop, college football and perfect Flagstaff weather.  Northern Arizona University students head back to campus, shifting the city's population from Chevy-Chase-station-wagon-"Vacation"-goers back to semi-permanent, youthful residents.  Average high temperatures are ideal at the 50s to mid 60s and the evenings are as crisp as the first bite of a hand-picked apple.  The first snowfall of the year generally descends on Flagstaff around December 1.

Pack & wear several light layers including shorts and pants, short and long-sleeved shirts and a medium-weight sweater or jacket for evenings.  Again, sandals are comfortable for daytime activities in town but shoes or boots are best for recreational activities. 

Insider Visitor Tip:  Do not let your autumnal visit be limited to just Flagstaff.  Be sure to take a scenic drive down Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon headed for Sedona.  There are great leaf-peeping opportunities in the canyon (and all around Flagstaff) from mid-September through mid-October.  Definitely check out towns surrounding the area - known as the Verde Valley - like Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Camp Verde.  There are dozens of quintessential small-town fall festivities like Oktoberfests, hayrides, apple picking, train rides, pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating mischief. 

Flagstaff in the winter is a must-do for two good reasons: 

As with any snowy destination, a warm coat, boots, hat and gloves are a safe bet.  To manage the temperature swing as you move from outdoors in, be sure to wear layers you can peel off and put back on as needed.  Expect high temperatures in the 40s and lows in the teens.  Flagstaff receives annual snowfall of approximately 99.5 inches - truly a winter wonderland.

Insider Visitor Tip:  Be sure to participate in the handful of area holiday events like the Gingerbread Village at Flagstaff City Hall; Red Rock Fantasy festival of lights down in Sedona; the Grand Canyon Railway's "Polar Express"; Verde Canyon Railroad's Santa Claus-themed train ride and more. 

In the spring, Flagstaff comes alive with color as mountain wildflowers burst into bloom all over the surrounding mountains.  Though snow may still fall in April, it's unlikely.  With average high temperatures in the high-50s to high 60s and lows that are refreshingly chilly, it's perfect weather for Flagstaffs outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, tours to the Grand Canyon and walking around downtown Flagstaff. 

Pack light layers like long pants (or shorts, if you choose) long-sleeved t-shirts and light sweaters and jackets.  You will want and need close-toed shoes for walking around town as well as hiking, biking or other outdoor recreation. You'll want to peel off jackets and sweaters in the middle of your daily tours or activities, but they'll come back on in the evenings.

Insider Visitor Tip:  Be sure to book your Grand Canyon tour or activities from Flagstaff several months in advance.  You don't want to miss out on the most popular activities as the Grand Canyon's busiest season starts to ramp up.

Now you're all set for your Flagstaff vacation... you know what to pack and what to do to take advantage of Flagstaff, Arizona's weather, casual culture and insider tips.

*Flagstaff receives an average annual snowfall of 99.5 inches