Coconino County, Arizona

Sitting on the eastern slope of Mt Elden is a super fun multi-use trail called Fatman's Loop. It's a perfect spot for hiking, trail running, day strolling, or walking the pup. All the while, treating you to glimpses of the eastern suburbs of Flagstaff, beautiful wild flowers, and cool rock format...

McPherson's is a public disk golf course five minutes north of downtown Flagstaff.  The course is seasonally open from May - November. There are no tee times, and it is free to play. A somewhat tightly wooded 18-hole course with multiple pin placements makes this fun for beginners and a challenge...

Being in the right place at the right time is the biggest challenge when attempting to photograph the monsoons at the Grand Canyon. Paying careful attention to the weather patterns throughout the day can help, but your best bet is to watch the clouds, pick a viewpoint, and take your chances. A fe...

Desert View Watchtower is a 70-foot high stone tower located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once you cross into the park through the east entrance look for the sign for Desert View, it's the first real lookout point in the park and there is plenty of parking.The tower was constructed in th...

25 miles east of the Grand Canyon Visitor's Center is Desert View, here you will find the Desert View Watchtower and plenty of space to set up a tripod to photograph the sunset. Make sure to arrive early to get a good spot, even though this location is less trafficked compared to the Visitor's Ce...

While not a replica of any known watchtower along the Grand Canyon, the Desert View Watchtower is an art installation to honor the Hopi Native Americans. The watchtower was designed by Mary Colter, the same woman responsible for the Bright Angel Lodge renovations in 1935. Much of the painting wit...

There are three campgrounds on the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Two, Mather Campground and Desert View Campground are run by the National Park Service. Trailer Village is a privately-run RV park located in Grand Canyon Village. If you don’t mind craziness and crowds, both Mather Campg...

The trip requires a backcountry permit for zone BB9 (reserve HERE). Backcountry permits in Grand Canyon National Park are available for reservation on the 1st of the month 4 months prior to your trip date (e.g. if you wanted to go on a trip on May 20 you could reserve your permit on January 1st)....

6.6 miles west of downtown Flagstaff off the I-40 West is the A1 Mountain Road. Continue over the cattle guards and enter into the A1 Mountain Area—perfect for hiking, camping, and trail running.The main road is well established for a dirt road, and many of the hiking trails branch off from it. T...

Coal Mine Canyon is a remote gem of the southwest that borders the Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservation. Coal Mine Canyon is located about 15 miles from Tuba City Arizona, The access to the canyon is off of Hwy 264 between mile marker 337 and 338 (right around 337.25). Once you make the turn off y...

Hike the trail starting from the visitor center and take your time walking along the rim. Be sure to admire the canyon below and the ancient dwellings in the canyon walls. During the right season, there are also beautiful wildflowers along the way. This trail is partially paved and easy to walk.

The trail is a short one - stretching only a mile in length. The only semi-strenuous portion of the trail is at the beginning and end where you start by descending a set of stairs in order to reach the trail that loops around the historic cliff dwellings. Since this is a loop trail, the same set ...

While the Grand Canyon is full of spectacular views, one particular spot has always been a favorite due to the relatively easy access and the ability to separate from all of the action. To access the sunset nook, start at the Grandview Trailhead at the South Rim (a 16 minute drive from the main V...

This trail was named in honor of the military troops that trained here during World War II. Keep in mind, this loop trail is at 7000 feet, so if you are driving up from Phoenix or even Sedona, you may feel a little winded.  However, there is no serious climbs on this hike so you may feel no diffe...

If you’re looking for spacious campsites, starry skies, wooded hiking trails, and peaceful surroundings, Marshall Lake in Flagstaff, AZ is the perfect campground for you! Marshall Lake is located about 9 miles south of Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road). Turn left (east) on Forest Roa...

Starting from Downtown Flagstaff we headed west. After making a left turn on Woody Mountain Road, we continued for 22 miles. Woody Mountain Road then becomes Forest Road 231. Continue on FS 231 until you find a killer spot to pitch it! Make sure to be wary of elk herds crossing the roads.We made ...