Day Trips from Flagstaff

Flagstaff is an ideal launching point for day trips all over northern Arizona. These 13 places to see, from National Parks and monuments to state parks and recreation areas near Flagstaff, make for the best day trips from Flagstaff. More than just Grand Canyon National Park, there are over a dozen historic sites, natural marvels, and cultural hives that make northern Arizona a grand destination. Here, we've grouped nearby must-see places together into the 6 best day trips you can do from Flagstaff.

Grand Canyon National Park

Day Trips from Flagstaff Photo Credit: Nathaniel Toledo

The Grand Canyon is a day trip unto itself, and it's the number one day trip upon which Flagstaff visitors embark. Located just 90 miles (90 minutes) from downtown Flagstaff, you can hardly come to Flagstaff and NOT visit the Grand Canyon. The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is truly a wonder to behold. As a day trip, you'll probably experience the Grand Canyon as most visitors do; driving to the South Rim, walking along the Rim Trail, attending free ranger programs, browsing in the visitor centers, riding the free shuttles along the rim and taking photos at the various overlooks.

Plan on an 8- to 10-hour day trip, including 3 hours of round-trip driving, whether you drive yourself or take a guided ground or railway tour; the latter departs from Williams, AZ. If you're driving yourself, you'll find that there are three distinct routes from Flagstaff to the South Rim.

Here's a full set of driving directions »

Map of each of the three routes

Walnut Canyon, Wupatki National Monument & Sunset Crater

Walnut Canyon, Photo Credit: nps.gov

A visit to Walnut Canyon National Monument offers visitors a chance to take a walk back in time to 300 A.D. Take 60-90 minutes to hike along the Rim or Island Trails to view 25 ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings.

Next up, a drive up to Sunset Crater Volcano, whose eruption 900 years ago forever changed the ancient people, flora and fauna. Allow 2 hours to hike both the Lava Flow Trail and the Lenox Crater Trail and stop at the Visitor Center.

Finally, take the Wupatki Loop Road from Sunset Crater up to Wupatki National Monument, where you'll find a Visitor Center and embark on a series of short trails on which you'll discover five prehistoric pueblos. Give yourself at least 2 hours to explore the structures and artifacts that remain from 10,000 years of human history in the area.

Driving Directions

This itinerary will total up to about a 6 hour day trip, including 2 hours, 45 minutes (95.8 miles) of driving. There are no commercial tours to these areas, so plan to drive yourself. Beginning in Flagstaff, head east on I-40 to exit 204 and follow the signs for Walnut Canyon NM. To move on to Sunset Crater, go back toward I-40, cross over the freeway, and take Route 66 toward the Mall. Turn right on Mall Way, then left on Marketplace Drive, then right on Highway 89. Continue for 12 miles, then turn right at the sign for Sunset Crater Volcano - Wupatki National Monuments onto Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles (3km) to the visitor center. Upon leaving Sunset Crater, continue north on Wupatki Loop Road. The Wupatki Visitor Center is 19 miles from Sunset Crater. When you're ready to return to Flagstaff, finish the Wupatki Loop Road and head west toward Highway 89 near Cameron, then turn left (south) onto Highway 89 approximately 31 miles back to Flagstaff.