Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff was our high-country Arizona escape in November 2022 — a week at a Club Wyndham resort in this mountain town perched at about 7,000 feet among the pines.
Our experience
It's a world away from the desert: tall ponderosa forests, crisp alpine air, Arizona's highest peaks looming over town, and a walkable historic downtown along old Route 66.
We came for the cool mountain setting and the unbeatable access to the Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona.
With its university energy, dark skies, and outdoorsy spirit, Flagstaff is the perfect basecamp for northern Arizona's natural wonders.
Flagstaff became the world's first International Dark Sky City in 2001, building on a long tradition of protecting its night skies. It's also home to Lowell Observatory, where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Grand Canyon National Park — the South Rim is roughly a 90-minute drive from Flagstaff and one of the biggest reasons to use the city as a northern Arizona base.
- Historic Downtown Flagstaff & Route 66 — explore the walkable downtown and Flagstaff's connection to America's most famous historic highway.
- Lowell Observatory — the historic observatory where Pluto was discovered and one of the best places to experience Flagstaff's famous dark skies.
- San Francisco Peaks & Arizona Snowbowl — explore Arizona's high country with mountain scenery, hiking, and winter skiing.
- Sedona — the famous red-rock landscape is an easy scenic drive south from Flagstaff.
- Walnut Canyon National Monument — discover ancient cliff dwellings and canyon scenery just outside the city.
Our pro tip
We use Flagstaff as a basecamp — it's a smart, cooler place to stay when exploring the Grand Canyon and Sedona rather than changing hotels every night.
Remember the elevation: Flagstaff can be chilly and snowy even when lower-elevation Arizona is warm, so pack layers and check the weather before heading into the mountains. Catch a clear night for the famous dark-sky stargazing — it's one of the experiences that makes Flagstaff feel completely different from the Arizona desert.
If you're driving to the Grand Canyon, check this Grand Canyon South Rim self-guided driving tour on Klook, which lets you explore major South Rim viewpoints at your own pace.
For a day around Sedona, check this Sedona and Red Rock State Park self-guided driving tour on Klook.