If you are like the rest of us, you are probably over summer at this point. Even without the recording-breaking heat of this year, you will find that summer is great small doses. That is why vacationing to Flagstaff is always the best when you spend some time here in the fall. The weather is cooling off and you will find plenty of outdoor activities still completely open. Take a look at why a Flagstaff in the fall is best as compared to other times of the year:
Better Weather and Less Crowds
When someone thinks of Arizona, they typically think of the desert that surrounds Phoenix and the rest of central and southern Arizona. The beauty of our state is that it has tons of variety with its climate, especially in northern Arizona, where Flagstaff is located. Many locals in Phoenix tend to escape the blistering heat of summer by making a drive to Flagstaff for the weekend. Even with Flagstaff having cooler temps the summer has been a long one. That is where the fall season comes in with incredible weather that encourages you for all of the outdoor play. You will find the weather to be wonderful in the 60s and 70s throughout most of the fall season during the day. This makes hiking the many trails enjoyable. Late night temps cool down quick allowing you to enjoy some time in front of the fire pit making s’mores and looking up at the stars. (Flagstaff is a Dark Sky Community, allowing you to see endless stars above you!) Best of all, you will not find the summer crowds in Flagstaff during the fall so you can explore downtown Flagstaff easily enough. Now that is quite a way to enjoy your fall break!
Fall Events
The fall season also has a variety of events that will make your time in Flagstaff the best yet. These fall activities are only offered this time of year. To kick it off, make sure to visit Flagstaff when Oktoberfest is happening. This world celebrated event kicks off the fall season here in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Oktoberfest is all things German food and drink along with autumn activities. This yearly event may have origins in Germany but is now a worldwide celebration. The Flagstaff Oktoberfest has celebrated 14 years of bringing together visits and locals alike for a timely event that includes German beer, brats, pretzels, and more. You will find exciting activities including brat eating contests, polka music, stein holding competitions, and more. Make sure you dress up in your best lederhosen and enjoy this family friendly event. The 2023 Flagstaff Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday October 7th from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff.
Changing Color of Leaves
While most of Arizona is covered in a desert landscape Flagstaff surrounded by beautiful forest scenery. The fall season brings out a variety of beautiful colors as the leaves change for the season. Come see the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that light up the landscape over Flagstaff. Some call this activity leaf peeping, and it is a great way to see the area in the fall. With the numerous hiking trails in the area, you will have no shortage of areas to explore!
Ride the Snowbowl Scenic Gondola Ride
Flagstaff is known for having some incredible winter sports at Arizona Snowbowl during the winter. To use the slopes, you will take one of the ski lifts to reach the top. Arizona Snowbowl also features a scenic gondola that is used for those who want to take a look at the surrounding beauty of Flagstaff. These enclosed gondolas provide a scenic ride like no other especially if you came to see the changing colors of the leaves. Don’t miss out on this fall activity in Flagstaff.
Fall Hiking
As mentioned, Flagstaff has plenty of hiking trails in the area that will keep you busy all trip long. One popular trail is the Aspen Nature Loop that offers a relative easy experience with plenty of scenery around you. The trail is easy to find right at the base of Arizona Snowbowl. Another great area to hike around is Bismarck Lake. You will find more rigorous trails perfect for those who wish to find a more challenging outdoor experience. The local ponds and marshes provide plenty of opportunities to have local wildlife be spotted during your hike.
More Fun in Flagstaff This Fall
Get ready for a fall getaway like no other when you book a stay here in Flagstaff. Our vacation rentals will keep you close to fall activities and events. Book today before your favorite vacation property is already reserved for the fall season.
When most visitors from out of state think of Arizona they typically imagine vast deserts covered in cactus and soaring temperatures usually over 100 degrees. While they are not wrong in that most of the state looks that way but Northern Arizona is truly something special. Make your way to Flagstaff this fall to see an Arizona destination covered in pine trees and features gorgeous weather. Flagstaff offers a variety of exciting events and fall activities in Flagstaff to make your trip as memorable as ever. Take a look at some of our favorites for 2022:
Fall Events
The fall season is a great time for special events in Flagstaff as the weather has dropped off for the year. With great weather comes an incredible lineup of special events taking place in Flagstaff. The fun all starts with the annual spectacular, 16th Annual Pickin’ in the Pines. This local festival is a live music lover’s dream with an extended lineup of bluegrass and acoustic tunes. The 2022 lineup is looking better than ever with artists including Dan Tyminski, The Jerry Douglas Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, and many more. Pickin’ in the Pines has been an award-winning festival for years and continues to be an event many people look forward to. This year’s festivities will take place at the Pepsi Amphitheater from September 16th through the 18th. No fall season would be complete without an Oktoberfest celebration taking place. This year, the 13th Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest will be hitting the area for a full day of German brews, exciting contests, delicious food, and live music. The event will take place on October 1st from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler Park here in Flagstaff. These events make the fall season an exciting time to visit!
See the Fall Foliage
If you come from an area where your trees do not change with the season you will be in for quite the treat in Flagstaff. The fall season is a great time to go leaf peeping and see the changing colors of the leaves. The local trees will turn from a deep green to colors including gold, red, and orange each more beautiful than the last. Your best bet to see as many different colors as possible is early in the season around September. There are quite a few places to go leaf peeping in Flagstaff too. While Arizona Snowbowl is best known for some great winter sports in the winter it has plenty of incredible trees to check out during the fall. The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a protected area that features a variety of plant life making it the perfect spot for a picnic. You will love the changing colors of the season!
Hit the Hiking Trails
With cooler weather comes plenty of more opportunities to enjoy the local hiking trails in the area. Flagstaff has beautiful forested scenery surrounding the city with peaks and valleys. The hiking trails offer a variety of difficulty levels making sure you can find something that fits your skill level. One of the most popular trails is Fatman’s Loop Trail. The trail is great for individuals of all ages and is not difficult to complete. You will come across unique scenery such as volcanic rock formations and views of Downtown Flagstaff. Those who want more options of length for their hiking needs to check out Campbell Mesa Loop Trails. You will find more than your fair share of hiking terrain here in Flagstaff.
Take a Scenic Chairlift
Another great reason to visit the Arizona Snowbowl during the fall season is to take a scenic chairlift up. This chairlift is used for skiers during the winter but is a great way to get up in elevation. Visitors can go leaf peeping or simply take the chairlift back down again.
GO to the Museum of Northern Arizona
Learn all about the surrounding region in Flagstaff with a trip inside the Museum of Northern Arizona. The rotating exhibits highlight incredible histories such as native American tribes in the area and the formation of local canyons. You will come away more knowledgeable than ever!
Explore Downtown Flagstaff
There is no greater spot in town to shop and dine around than Downtown Flagstaff. This historic neighborhood has been around for generations and is home to outdoor shopping malls and more. Stop by the Dark Sky Brewing for a delicious beer. Or visit Diablo Burger for some of the best burgers in town. There is something for everyone to enjoy here in Historic Downtown Flagstaff!
Book Your Vacation Rental Today
As you can see there are so many activities waiting for you here in Flagstaff this fall. Book one of our vacation rentals today to be a short drive away from all of them. We even have Flagstaff cabin rentals with hot tubs to help you keep warm and enjoy the cooler months.