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What Are The Best Hiking Trails in Flagstaff?
About The City Of Flagstaff, Arizona
Do you want to hike some of the top hiking trails in Flagstaff? Read on to find out about some of these hikes.
The City of Flagstaff is the county seat of Coconino County, Arizona. The city’s name came from a flagstaff that was set up at Antelope Spring near present day Flagstaff.
Flagstaff is a popular tourist destination and the largest city in Northern Arizona. The city has grown steadily with over 75,000 residents as of 2019. The Flagstaff metro area has around 139,097 people.
The earliest know inhabitants in the area were the Sinagua people. When early volcanoes left ash over the area, the land became fertile farm land. The next settlers were the Hopi, Yavapai, and two tribes of the Apaches.
The first white settlement began when a saloon opened in 1871 on a wagon trail that went to California.
Early business was based on lumber, ranching, and the railroad. Today, Flagstaff has tourism, a university, and science & high tech research.
When not hiking, you can enjoy Flagstaff’s charming downtown. Downtown, you can easily walk to many great restaurants, bars, and shops.
You can find many great hiking trails in Flagstaff. The Coconino National Forest and Walnut Canyon National Monument both have fun hiking trails in the Flagstaff area. You might want to invest in an America Is Beautiful Pass if you want to visit these parks.
Coconino National Forest: Great Hiking Trails In Flagstaff
The Coconino Forest was first established in 1898. At first, the forest was named the San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve.
The forest has varied landscapes. Lanscapes include:
- Deserts
- Pine forests
- Flatlands
- Mesas (high flat land with steep slopes or cliffs on all sides that stand above flatlands)
- Alpine tundra (mountainous, cold, dry, windy, treeless, and small, low plants)
- Volcanic mountains
The forest surronds the city of Flagstaff and touches on four other national forests. For more information about the Coconini Forest day hikes, read this from the National Forest Service.
Walnut Canyon National Monument: Great Hiking Trails In Flagstaff
You can reach Walnut Canyon by making an easy ten mile drive from Flagstaff.
President Woodrow Wilson made Walnut Mountain a national monument in 1915. The Sinagua people were the earliest people to live here. Sinagua means without water.
You will enjoy learning how the first people here lived. Also, the monument has a visitor center. The center has sweeping views to the east and west.
Great Hiking Trails In Flagstaff:
Abineau Trail To Bear Jaw Trail: Description
Be ready for a hard hike with a lot of elevation gain. Take your hiking poles too since the trail has a lot of loose gravel and rocks on it. Your hiking effort will be rewarded with great views!
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 8.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,876 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail: Description
If you want a great hike for the family and your doggy, hike this trail! Be ready for other hikers. This is a very family friendly trail.
Even though the trail has a slight elevation gain, it begins at more than 9,000 feet! Be ready for the difficulty added by the beginning elevation. For your effort, you will enjoy the mountain views.
(Public Domain)
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 360 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Elden Lookout Trail: Description
This hike has great views! The trail has wildflowers in the spring and summer, pretty fall leaves, and snow in the winter. Enjoy the great views all year.
Bring your hiking poles to help with the rock covered trail. Avoid the monsoon season to miss the mudslides.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 6.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,312 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Kachina Trail: Description
The Kachina Trail has a lot to offer. The trail has golden Aspens in the fall and colorful wildflowers in the summer. All along the trail you will enjoy terrific mountain views.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 10.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,528 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Kendrick Peak Via the Kendrick Peak Trail: Description
Even though rated a hard trail, switchbacks help you handle the height gain. The Kendrick Peak Trail treats you to magnificent views and beautiful scenery.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 9.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,693 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Lava River Cave Trail: Description
If you want a short, different hike, you will enjoy the Lava River trail and cave in the Coconino National Forest. Be sure you have a flashlight, or even better, a headlamp when you take this hike.
(usda.gov)
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 3 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Lockett Meadow Inner Basin Loop Trail: Description
The road to the trailhead is closed until next year. The closure adds three miles, but it adds three pretty miles.
(Public Domain)
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 839 feet
- Dogs: On Leash
Old Caves Crater Trail: Description
For a trail with great mountain views, hike the Old Caves Crater Trail. Be careful on the return since the trail has a lot of loose rocks.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Loop
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 613 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Red Mountain Trail: Description
The trail has a delightful surprise at the end … red rocks. Be ready to climb the ladder at the trail’s end.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 2.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 301 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Sunset Trail: Description
This is a well maintained trail with pretty views. Even though you have a steep climb, a few parts of the trail level out. The trail’s level parts give you a chance to catch your breath.
(Credit: usda.gov)
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Trail type: Out & back
- Distance: 8.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,935 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Conclusion: Great Hiking Trails in Flagstaff
The area around Flagstaff has a lot of great hikes! Enjoy trails for all levels of hiking skill.
When you hike the hiking trails in Flagstaff, be prepared. Since the temperature can change, layer your clothes. Wear a good sun hat and comfortable hiking shoes or boots.
Be sure you have your sunscreen, a trail map, enough water, healthy snacks, and a trail map. If dogs are allowed on the trail, bring their leash.
Also, let friends or loved ones know where you are hiking. Let them know when you should return too. Be safe and have fun. Enjoy the fun hiking trails in Flagstaff!
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