Parks and the outdoors in Flagstaff

11 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Flagstaff.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Arboretum at Flagstaff
This 200-acre botanical garden, environmental research station, and nature center displays one of America's largest collections of high country wildflowers. Daily guided tours at 11AM and 1PM. Wild Birds of Prey programs at F-M noon and 2PM.
Wed-Sun 10AM-4PM, May-Oct$7 (adults), $6 (seniors), $3 (youth 3-17)
Do
Arizona Snowbowl
Alpine skiing. One of only three ski resorts in the state of Arizona. Despite the surrounding desert, Flagstaff is a popular skiing destination for the Southwest due to the high elevation. Interestingly, the Snowbowl is one of the first ten ski resorts established in the United States. Snowbowl is in the San Francisco Mountains, which offer pleasant high-country hiking after the snow melts, including a trail to Humphreys Peak, highest mountain in Arizona. Access to some of the San Franciscos is restricted, as they're sacred to several of the area's Native tribes.
See
Elden Pueblo Historic Site
A Sinagua archeological site which was inhabited from 1050-1275 BCE. An easy interpretive trail circles the ruins. It is managed by the Coconino National Forest Service, which hosts a number of educational programs and workshops at the site.
Daily 24 hrFree
Do
Flagstaff Nordic Center
One of the southwest's best cross-country skiing areas with over 50 km of well-groom ski trails and 25 km of snowshoe trails. In the summer the trails are open for hiking and mountain biking. Trail passes and equipment rental prices are listed here; overnight cabin rental is also available.
Do
Hitchin’ Post Stables
Offers guided horseback riding excursions forest land southeast of Flagstaff, ranging from 1 to 8 hours in length.
$45-250
Do
Mount Elden
This area is managed by the Coconino National Forest, and is an excellent starting point for exploring the area with numerous trails running up and alongside most faces of the mountain. One of the most popular trails is Elden Lookout Trail, which scales all 2800 ft (855m) from base to summit, and has access to the lookout tower at the top which looks down on the entire city. The trail can be accessed from Hwy 89 across from the Flagstaff Mall and next to the Ranger Station (35.230295, -111.579234).
Free
See
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
This fine example of an Arts and Crafts style house was built in 1904 for a prominent local family. Guided tours are conducted at the top of the hour, reservations recommended.
May-Oct: daily 9:30AM-5PM; Nov-Apr: daily 10:30AM-5PM$12 (adults 14+), $7 (youths 7-13)
Do
San Francisco Peaks
Managed by the Coconino National Forest, the San Francisco Peaks northwest of Flagstaff offer a number of hiking trails for all skill levels, as well as opportunities for mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, and skiing. The range is crowned by the 12,637-ft Humphreys Peak, and is held sacred by the Havasupai, Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. Maps and trail information can be obtained from the Coconino National Forest Headquarters (1824 S. Thompson St.).
See
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
At the southern end of the loop drive that connects it to Wupatki National Monument, this monument contains a relatively new volcano. The main eruption around 1064 C.E. built most of the cinder cone, with the last eruption in 1260 C.E. adding the spectacular to the cone's top.
Nov-Apr daily 9AM-5PM, May-Oct daily 8AM-5PM$5, good for 7 days at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments; Park Pass applies
See
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Contains a number of Native American cliff dwellings built in a narrow canyon. Two trails allow good views of the ruins and the canyon.
Nov-Apr daily 9AM-5PM, May-Oct daily 8AM-5PM$5, good for 7 days; Park Pass applies
See
Wupatki National Monument
Contains a collection of Native American ruins scattered along a circular drive that also passes by Sunset Crater (an extinct volcano). Probably some of the finest outside of Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Plan on spending most of the day on this loop drive.
Daily 9AM-5PM, closed Dec 25$5, good for 7 days at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments; Park Pass applies

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Flagstaff (CC BY-SA 4.0).