Most Flagstaff trailheads are within half an hour of downtown, from a one-hour aspen loop to the summit of Arizona. Dogs on a leash are welcome on the forest trails, and Lockett Meadow's road is closed for now.
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See the trailsInner Basin, late September · Photo: Coconino National Forest / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 · Credits
The Humphreys and Kachina trails start at Snowbowl, above 9,000 feet; Elden Lookout and Schultz Creek start at the edge of town.
Humphreys Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownLower Snowbowl lot, about 14 miLength5–5.5 mi one wayElevation change3,420 ftDogsOn a leashKachina Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownSnowbowl, first lot on the right, about 14 miLength5.2 miElevation change1,188 ft up and downDogsOn a leashWeatherford Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownForest Road 420 (closed in winter)Length10.4 mi one wayElevation change3,740 ftDogs–Inner Basin Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownLockett MeadowLength3.9 miElevation change2,336 ftDogs–Abineau Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownNorth side of the Peaks, about 25 miLength2.4 miElevation change2,729 ftDogs–Bear Jaw Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownSame trailhead as AbineauLength2.8 miElevation change1,312 ftDogs–Elden Lookout Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownUS 89 by the Flagstaff Mall, about 5 miLength3 miElevation change2,392 ftDogsOn a leashSchultz Creek Trail
Trailhead and drive from downtownSchultz Creek Trailhead, about 4 miLength4.5 mi one wayElevation change916 ftDogs–The Aspen Nature Loop starts at the same lower Snowbowl lot as the Humphreys Trail, at about 9,270 feet, and takes about an hour. Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater have short trails past cliff dwellings and across a lava flow.
Aspen Nature Loop
StartLower Snowbowl lotLength1.8 mi, about an hourClimb or good to knowEasy to moderate, about 300 ftFatman's Loop
StartUS 89 by the Flagstaff MallLength2.5-mile loopClimb or good to know600 ftSandys Canyon Trail
StartLake Mary Road, about 8 miLength1.3 mi one wayClimb or good to know338 ftIsland Trail, Walnut Canyon
StartWalnut Canyon visitor centerLength1 mile round trip, about an hourClimb or good to know185 ft down, 240 stepsRim Trail, Walnut Canyon
StartWalnut Canyon visitor centerLength0.7-mile loopClimb or good to knowLeashed dogs welcomeLava Flow Trail, Sunset Crater
StartSunset CraterLength1-mile loopClimb or good to knowAcross a lava flowTom Moody Trail, Picture Canyon
StartPicture Canyon Preserve, El Paso Flagstaff Road, northeast FlagstaffLength2.8-mile loop; the Don Weaver Trail makes a shorter loop with itClimb or good to knowSinagua petroglyphs and a small waterfall on the Rio de FlagBuffalo Park loop
StartBuffalo Park, north side of townLength2-mile loopClimb or good to knowFlat, with views of the PeaksFlagstaff's urban trail system connects downtown, the NAU campus and the east side. These paths are for walking and biking and need no drive at all.
Karen Cooper Trail
WhereAlong the Rio de Flag from downtown to CheshireLength3.6 miRoute 66 Trail
WhereSouth side of Route 66, from downtown heading eastLength4.9 miNAU Trail
WhereThrough the middle of the NAU campusLength1.2 miJuly to September is thunderstorm season on the Peaks: if a storm builds, turn around and head down. In winter the high trails are snow and avalanche terrain.
The forest trails welcome dogs on a leash. The national monuments are stricter.
Downtown and Milton Road hotels are the closest, about 14 miles from the Snowbowl trailheads.
Photo: ExpediaBreakfast and parking freeMilton Road and NAU 9.6/10 on Expedia
Free parkingPets: dogs and cats, up to 2, up to 40 lb eachBreakfast included
About 15 miles from the Snowbowl trailheads, with free breakfast from 6 am on weekdays before an early start, and free parking.
Bespoke Inn FlagstaffDowntown and Southside 9.8/10 on Expedia · 426 reviewsFree parkingPets: dogs only, up to 2Check prices
Residence Inn by Marriott FlagstaffDowntown and Southside 9.6/10 on Expedia · 1,002 reviewsParking $10 a dayPets: up to 2 petsCheck prices
High Country Motor Lodge – Near NAU/DowntownMilton Road and NAU 9.2/10 on Expedia · 3,021 reviewsFree parkingPets: up to 2 pets, up to 75 lb each, set rooms onlyBreakfast extraCheck pricesThe Humphreys Trail to the top of Arizona: 5 to 5.5 miles one way with 3,420 feet of climbing, starting at about 9,300 feet. The Weatherford Trail is longer, 10.4 miles one way.
The Aspen Nature Loop at Snowbowl (1.8 miles, about an hour), Fatman's Loop on the east side of town (2.5 miles), the Rim Trail at Walnut Canyon (0.7 mile), the Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater (1 mile) and the 2-mile loop at Buffalo Park.
At Picture Canyon, on the northeast edge of town. The 2.8-mile Tom Moody Trail loops past Sinagua petroglyphs and a small waterfall on the Rio de Flag; the Don Weaver Trail makes a shorter loop.
On the Humphreys, Kachina, Elden Lookout and Fatman's Loop trails, on a leash. Dogs aren't allowed on the Island Trail at Walnut Canyon or the Wupatki pueblo trails.
Late spring to fall for the high trails. Snow can fall on the Peaks in any month, and July to September brings afternoon thunderstorms, so start early.
The trail is open, but Lockett Meadow Road, the only way to the trailhead, is closed to all traffic, including hikers, for construction.
Yes. The Karen Cooper Trail follows the Rio de Flag for 3.6 miles from downtown, and the Route 66 Trail runs 4.9 miles east along Route 66.
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