By 1860, the U.S. Government had built a road across the northern portion of the Arizona Territory for settlers traveling to California. In 1876, a group from Boston camped near the Little Colorado River for a short time. On July 4th of 1876, the group stripped a prominent pine tree of its branches. It affixed an American flag to the top in celebration of the centennial. Their make-shift flag staff became a landmark for those who followed.
By 1882, the railroad arrived in the area, and the city of Flagstaff became a thriving center of commerce. Wool, cattle, and lumber were the main exports The ranchers, cowboys, and lumber workers supported cafes and saloons in the area. Railroad workers, travelers, and newcomers to the area made for a robust hotel business. The city grew quickly and was incorporated in 1894.
The history of Flagstaff is still evident. The Northern Arizona Normal School, established in 1899, evolved into Northern Arizona University. A world-class observatory, Lowell Observatory, was founded in 1894. The non-profit research facility continues to do meaningful work today. The downtown area is home to several historic buildings and businesses that date to the city's earliest days. The iconic Route 66, the subject of story and song, passes right through downtown.
Perhaps Flagstaff's most important resource and greatest attraction is nature. The area boasts over 16 national parks, monuments, and historical places. Geological gems like Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino National Forest, and the red rocks of Sedona are just a short drive from town. Native American historical sites in the area provide a unique look at the history of people who lived in the area hundreds of years ago. Many of the national and state parks in the area offer camping, hiking, and other recreational opportunities.
Campgrounds Near Flagstaff, Arizona
Mormon Lake Lodge RV Park and Campground is located on the shore of Mormon Lake and surrounded by a Ponderosa pine forest. The park is a nature lover’s dream. With 74 pull-through and back-in sites, the park can accommodate just about any rig. Full hookups are available. Visit the local pizzeria, have a steak at the Saloon, or grab a snack at the country store. Other amenities include restrooms, shower and laundry facilities, horseback riding, and playgrounds for adults and kids.
For a little more rustic camping experience, check out Fort Tuthill County Campground. The park provides nearly 100 spaces in the shade of a Ponderosa pine forest canopy. The park is an excellent place to hike in the woods or watch birds and other woodland critters. At Upper Lake Mary, boating and fishing are available just a few miles away. Other attractions and museums are a short trip away. Electricity and shower facilities are not available in the park, and there are limited sites with water and dump facilities.
Located in Bellmont, about a 20-minute drive west of Flagstaff, Pine View RV Park offers inexpensive but spacious campsites with full hookups. The park boasts a big-rig-friendly layout, so any rig is welcome. There is a laundry and additional dump facilities. Enjoy a hike on the Mogollon Rim or visit a lake in Tonto National Forest.
State Parks Near Flagstaff, Arizona
The Riordan Brothers were lumber tycoons who built a financial empire in the early years of Flagstaff's history. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park presents a record of their wealth and progressive nature. The 13,000-square-foot home was built in 1904 and features every modern convenience in a house that was on the frontiers of civilization. The park has adequate parking for an RV, but space may be limited on busy days or during special events.
Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona is home to Slide Rock State Park. The 43-acre park was originally an apple orchard on the shore of Oak Creek. Playing in the creek is a great way to cool off when water flows permit. There is adequate car parking at the site, but finding a spot to park an RV can be difficult. Several RV parks are located in the area with hookups and excellent facilities.
Red Rock State Park is a short, scenic drive from Flagstaff. South of town on Hwy 89A, the park is on the outskirts of the tourist mecca of Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. Spend a day learning the history of the region in the park's visitor center. Take a hike on any of the several trails in the park, or bike on Cathedral Bike Loop Trail. Have a leisurely picnic in the park or head into town to experience the many restaurants, cafes, and saloons in Sedona. There are no RV facilities at the park, but the area is teeming with full-service RV campgrounds.
National Sites Near Flagstaff, Arizona
At Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, you notice something odd among the red rocks and flagstones of northern Arizona. A 1,000-foot cone of black volcanic cinders and boulders rises into the sky. The volcano last erupted around 900 years ago. The site has several hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties. There is also a biking trail and driving tour of the site. Each provides views of the central cone and a variety of unusual volcanic remnants. There is no overnight parking at the site. Flagstaff provides an ample supply of RV parks a short drive away.
Located between Flagstaff and the Painted Desert you will find Wupatki National Monument. The Pueblo dwellers who inhabited this area changed the landscape forever. Learn the impact ancient civilization had on the land they lived on. Take a day hike on one of the well-groomed trails that lead through the remains of Pueblo villages. There are no camping facilities at the site, but a parking permit allows up to a seven-day stay. There are RV campsites in the nearby towns of Greer and Flagstaff.
In Walnut Canyon National Monument, you can walk in the footsteps of the ancient people who lived in the region. A mile-long hike leads visitors into the canyon and through the cliff dwellings that people lived in over a thousand years ago. There is no camping at the park, but its proximity to Flagstaff makes it an excellent day trip if you are staying in town.
National Forests Near Flagstaff, Arizona
Coconino National Forest surrounds the city of Flagstaff. The forest boasts some of the most diverse topography anywhere in the country. The variety of geological features is spectacular, from the Mogollon Rim area in the south to the red rocks area near Sedona. Southeast of Flagstaff, there are stands of Ponderosa pines and grassy meadows. Sites with hiking, free camping, and wildlife viewing are abundant throughout the forest.
Kaibab National Forest extends from the Grand Canyon in the south to the Utah border in the north. The northern portion of the forest provides access to the canyon's less crowded and, some say, more spectacular north rim. The grassy plains near Williams are home to herds of elk and deer for those hoping to view wildlife up close. There are numerous well-maintained trails of various lengths and difficulty levels. The forest service offers free camping at several spots throughout the forest.
South of Flagstaff and east of Phoenix lies Tonto National Forest. This region of the state features Sonoran Desert topography and vegetation at lower elevations and pinion and Ponderosa pine forests at higher elevations. The transition zones present unusual combinations of flora and fauna for nature buffs. Roosevelt Lake is nearby if you want a little boating, fishing, or shore camping. Tonto National Monument is an ancient Native American cliff dwelling near Roosevelt Lake. The site offers guided trips into the dwelling several times a day.
