As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may have Amazon and/or other affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information. Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!
Things to Do in and Around Flagstaff Arizona
Flagstaff Arizona has a small-town vibe with a historic downtown full of shops, cafes, and street art. The area is surrounded by ponderosa pine forests and is a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, camping, boating, and rock climbing. Flagstaff has enough things to do to keep anyone busy for a long weekend: a self-guided Route 66 walking tour, Lowell Observatory, Native American culture, Lunar Landmarks from NASA Apollo Missions, craft breweries, and forest-to-table foodie experiences. But there is so much more! There are seven national parks and monuments within 80 miles of Flagstaff making it the perfect base to explore northern Arizona. Here are 13 incredible day trips from Flagstaff Arizona.
Amazing Day Trips from Flagstaff Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is 1.5 hours northwest of Flagstaff. The canyon is 277 miles long, 6,000 feet deep, 18 miles wide, and covers 1,217,262 acres of land. The most popular thing to do at the Grand Canyon is the rim walk stopping at various viewpoints. Be sure to take one of the trails partially down the canyon and look back up to understand just how deep it is.
READ Grand Canyon South Rim Travel Guide
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is 2 hours north of Flagstaff. Horseshoe Bend is an incised meander in the shape of a horseshoe creating a 1000-foot drop to the Colorado River. The site became Instafamous and now has over 2 million visitors a year. The overlook is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and is unofficially considered to be part of the east rim of the Grand Canyon. Make the most of this Flagstaff day trip by taking a rafting trip starting at Glen Canyon Dam, past Horseshoe Bend, and into Lee’s Ferry.
READ Grand Canyon East Rim Travel Guide
Marble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs
Marble Canyon is 2 hours north of Flagstaff on US 89a. This section of road parallels purple sandstone cliffs and is known as the Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway. Vermilion Cliffs are popular for the Wave hike in the Coyote Buttes ravine and viewing endangered condors. Entrance to the Wave is by permit only. Permits are issued online and by lottery. Turn onto AZ 67S and drive for another hour to reach the Grand Canyon North Rim.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is 2 hours north of Flagstaff and is another Instafamous spot. Access to Antelope Canyon is granted only with a Navajo guide, permits are often included with the tour. The Upper Canyon is most popular because the entrance is at ground level. Visiting Lower Antelope Canyon requires stairs and ladders. Visit the canyon between 10am and 1pm May through October to see the light beams. If you are not able to secure a spot at Antelope Canyon, try the equally fabulous Secret Antelope Canyon.
Winslow Arizona
Winslow Arizona is 1 hour east of Flagstaff. Winslow is one of the 8 popular stops along the Arizona section of Route 66. Route 66 drives through the heart of the town and the corner made famous by the Eagles 1972 hit Take it Easy. Be sure to stop at the Standin’ on the Corner intersection of Kinsley and E 2nd Street for a selfie with the statue of Glen Frey and the red flatbed truck. Add a stop at Winslow Arizona on your Flagstaff day trip to Petrified Forest National Park.
READ Top Seven Arizona Route 66 Stops
Petrified Forest National Park
The Petrified Forest National Park is 1.5 hours east of Flagstaff on old Route 66. The Petrified Forest is known for its landscape of painted hills and 225-million-year-old jeweled logs. The top attractions in the park are the Crystal Forest loop through petrified wood and the gorgeous Blue Mesa loop through painted hills. Be sure to make a quick stop at the Little Painted Desert off Highway 87 at mile marker 360 to see the browns, purples, and yellows swirling through the canyon badlands.
READ Petrified Forest National Park Travel Guide
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is 20 miles east of Flagstaff off US 89 in the San Francisco Volcanic Fields. There are over 600 volcanoes in the area. Sunset Crater erupted before 1100, the eruption spread 1 billion tons of ash across 64,000 acres of land. Today there is a beautiful combination of lava flows, cinder cone hills, and Ponderosa pine forests with a mountain backdrop. Sunset Craters base is 1-mile in diameter and the depth is 300 feet but the hike to the rim is closed due to erosion. The area is fun to explore. The Lava Flow Trail is a .8-mile loop through lava fields. The 1.4-mile Lenox Trail loop panoramic views of the volcano field and Bonita Lava Flow. The A’a Trail is a short .2 miles through sharp volcanic rock, close-toed shoes are recommended. Plan to spend 2 hours at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument before continuing another 16 miles on the scenic drive to Wupatki National Monument for the perfect Flagstaff day trip.
Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki National Monument is 35 miles north of Flagstaff off US 89. The Wupatki National Monument consists of 5 villages spread throughout the area. Each pueblo is free-standing; some are single-family and others are multilevel. The Wupatki Pueblo was the largest dwelling with 4 stories and around 100 rooms. The remaining four villages of Citadel Pueblo, Nalakihu Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, and Box Canyon were a day’s walk from Wupatki and are worth exploring before leaving Wupatki National Monument.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument is 10 miles east of Flagstaff off I-40. This monument is full of Sinagua cliff dwellings built between 1125 and 1250. The settlement is comprised of one-room pit houses built into the recesses in the canyon’s limestone walls. The Sinagua only resided in Walnut Canyon for 100 years and it is unknown why they left. There are two trails at Walnut Canyon National Monument. The rim trail is .7 miles overlooking the 400 feet deep canyon. The island trail sits 185 feet below the rim. It is a .9-mile loop past 25 pit house rooms. This trail is a steep descent down 240 stairs. There is not a lot of shade and temperatures reach 90 degrees in the summer. Bring plenty of water and plan your hike for the morning. Plan to spend about 2.5 hours at Walnut Canyon.
Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona
Both Phoenix and Scottsdale are 2 hours south of Flagstaff. These cities have everything Arizona is famous for sunshine, warm weather, desert landscapes, and the Wild West. Scottsdale has been called the Beverly Hills of the Southwest. You will find high-end shopping, art galleries, elaborate swimming pools, 50+ spas, and patio dining. Phoenix is known as the Valley of the Sun. You will find the Sonoran Desert, red rock, blue skies, cacti, tumbleweeds, mountains, desert, cowboys, wild horses, and roadrunners. Both cities are worth a day trip from Flagstaff Arizona.
READ The Perfect Weekend in Phoenix and Scottsdale
Sedona Arizona
Sedona Arizona is 45 minutes south of Flagstaff. Sedona is well known for its gorgeous red rock formations and energy vortexes. You will find red sandstone cliffs, 400+ hiking trails, swimming holes, a natural waterslide, healing vortexes, crystal shops, amazing artwork, spas, turquoise jewelry, and prickly pear margaritas. Red Rock Country is sacred to Native Americans, loved by photographers, revered by artists, and adored by the new age culture. Take Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon, this was Arizona’s first scenic route and is gorgeous. Be sure to stop at the Oak Creek Overlook in Coconino National Forest on the way.
READ How to Have a Perfect Day in Sedona Arizona
Jerome Arizona
Jerome Arizona is 1.5 hours southwest of Flagstaff and is the perfect Wild West day trip. Jerome was an old copper mining town that also had a small deposit of gold. The town quickly boomed into the “billion-dollar copper camp”. Jerome was named a Historic Landmark in 1967 and the remaining residents made the decision to focus on tourism. Today, Jerome’s population is around 500 and the town has become a great step into the Wild West. The town itself sits on a hill with a 30-degree incline overlooking the Verde Valley. The old facades are well maintained, you will also find old mansions, brothels, saloons, historic mines, wineries, art galleries, gorgeous views, and lots of haunted locations.
READ Plan Your Day in the Wild West Ghost Town of Jerome Arizona
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle National Monument is 50 miles south of Flagstaff off I-17. This five-story, 20-room cliff dwelling sits 100 feet above the valley floor. It was built around 1000 and was once occupied by the Sinagua. Follow the self-guided 1/3 mile loop past the Pueblo diorama depicting the lives of the Sinagua people. The Southern Sinagua were farmers, and corn was their main crop. They also mined and traded salt. It is unknown why they left the area in the early 1400s. Plan to spend about an hour at Montezuma Castle.
Be sure to check the Arizona Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Bookmark and Pin Flagstaff Arizona Day Trips
Plan Your Flagstaff Arizona Trip
Flagstaff Arizona Travel Guide
Pick up an Arizona Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Flagstaff Arizona Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Flagstaff Arizona Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.
Have a great vacation!