Rediscovering America: Arizona Edition
-Flagstaff, Arizona-
Flagstaff, Arizona
Distance: 144 miles Travel Time: 2 hours 15 minutes Phoenix, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Wupatki National Monument
Preserved ruins rich in Native American archaeological sites. Ancient pueblos doting red-rock outcroppings across miles of prairie. In a land that seems impossible for living, ancient peoples were able to live and thrive – raising families, farmed, and traded.
Coconino National Forest
The Coconino National Forest is 1.856-million acres of United States National Forest land located in the vicinity of Flagstaff. It was originally established in 1898 as the “San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve”. The Coconino National forest contains landscapes in great diversity – deserts, ponderosa pine forests, flatland's, mesas, alpine tundra, and ancient volcanic peaks.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
A canyon rim elevation of 6,690 feet and the canyon floor is 350 feet below, the Walnut Canyon National Monument features a 0.9-mile-long loop. The loop descends 185 feet into the canyon where you will pass 25 cliff dwelling rooms constructed by the pre-Colombian cultural group, the Sinagua, that lived in the Canyon from about 1100 to 1250 CE.
Downtown Flagstaff
Downtown Flagstaff offers unique and authentic experience for all. The mission of Downtown Flagstaff is to preserve the historic value.
Lava River Cave
– A lava tube in northern Arizona within the Coconino National Forest. The cave was originally discovered by some lumbermen in 1915 and has been referred to as “Government Cave” due to its location. It is believed by geologists that the cave was formed some 650,000 and 700,000 years ago. Interior temperatures are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months.
The Mother Road: Route 66
The historic Route 66 still runs through Flagstaff today. You can still see some historically nostalgic buildings that line Route 66 with their neon signs. Some hidden gems on Route 66 are the Mother Road Brewing Company, Western Hills Motel Neon Sign, and the Phoenix Avenue Route 66 Mural. (Additional pictures of spots along Route 66 are featured in our downloadable Virtual Passport)