Posted in Arizona Seasonal August 12, 2022 by

11 Of The Most Beautiful Fall Destinations In Arizona

Arizona in the fall is a truly enchanting time, with so many magical places to explore. From the Snowbowl to Apple Annie’s and everywhere in between, here are the 11 most beautiful autumn destinations to visit this year in Arizona.

1. Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail (Flagstaff)
Aspen Nature Loop, Arizona 86001, Humphrey's Peak Trail, Arizona 86001, USA
AllTrails/Cindy Rodriguez
At just under three miles long, this easy, short-and-sweet trail is one of the most iconic fall destinations in Arizona. You haven't lived until you've hiked through a grove of brilliantly yellow aspens! You'll find the trail on the western slope of the San Francisco Peaks near the Snowbowl.
2. Verde Canyon Railroad (Clarkdale)
Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad
Each fall, the Verde Canyon Railroad holds their ever-popular Fall Colors Tour. On board a historic train car, you'll whiz past eye-popping foliage that offers a stark contrast to the lofty red rocks surrounding them. The ride takes place in October and November. We can't think of a more relaxing way to take in the glorious autumn landscape of the Grand Mountain State!
3. West Fork Trail (Sedona)
West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead, W Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Flickr/Larry Lane
Perhaps even more renowned than the Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail is West Fork Trail. This 7.2-mile adventure features some of the most striking fall colors across the entire state, in a vast array of breathtaking colors. You'll find the trailhead 11 miles north of Sedona, with an access point at the Call of the Canyon day use area. This is one hike that belongs on every Arizonan's bucket list!
4. San Francisco Peaks
San Francisco Peaks, Arizona 86001, USA
Flickr/USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Come autumn, the lush woodland terrain of Arizona's dazzling San Francisco Peaks are set ablaze with the fire of a thousand suns. Many a trail traverses this enchanting landscape, so lace up your hiking boots and start exploring!
5. Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior)
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173, USA
Facebook/Boyce Thompson Arboretum
While Arizona may not be a world-renowned leaf-peeping destination, some places in the Grand Canyon State look exactly like New England in the fall. Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior is one of them, with autumn foliage so striking, you’ll feel like you’re anywhere besides the desert. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the oldest and largest botanical garden in Arizona, spanning nearly 400 glorious acres. Fall is by far our favorite season to visit, as various types of trees showcase their most spectacular red, orange, and yellow hues. Three miles of trails wind through the park, providing ample opportunity to enjoy the views.
6. Apple Annie's Orchard (Wilcox)
Apple Annie's You-Pick Orchard, 2081 Hardy Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
Facebook/Apple Annie's Orchard
It simply isn't fall in Arizona without a visit to Apple Annie's Orchard in Wilcox. Ten varieties of applse grow in their sprawling, u-pick fields, just waiting to be taken home and used in scrumptious recipes. (And the cider donuts from Apple Annie's? Next level!) Adding to the festive fun are a pumpkin patch and corn maze! The orchards and pumpkin patch have different addresses, so visit the Apple Annie's website for specifics.
7. Forest Houses Resort (Sedona)
Forest Houses Resort, 9275 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Facebook/Forest Houses Resort
Can you picture a better place to escape to in the fall? Forest Houses Resort is nestled on Oak Creek in Sedona, making it perfect for a leaf-peeping getaway. With 16 charming treehouses to choose from, rest assured there's something to fit your unique needs and preferences. It's like something out of a dream during the height of fall foliage.
8. Inner Basin Trail (Flagstaff)
Inner Basin Trail, Arizona 86001, USA
AllTrails/Colette Marks
Another Flagstaff hike, Inner Basin Trail spans 3.2 miles of beautiful pine and aspen trees. There are no words to describe the striking vistas -- it's like something straight out of a fairytale. To access the trailhead, use Google Maps to Lockett Meadow.
9. Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek (Sedona)
Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek, 8067 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Facebook/Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek
Also on Oak Creek, Orchard Canyon is nestled on 10 acres of vibrant organic gardens and apple trees. A total of 16 cozy cabins sleep between two and six people, all framed by the warm colors of autumn. Staying here feels like entering a whimsical storybook!
10. Arizona Snowbowl (Flagstaff)
Snowbowl Drive, Snowbowl Dr, Arizona 86004, USA
Facebook/Arizona Snowbowl
Although the Arizona Snowbowl is most popular in the winter for obvious reasons, we're quite partial to it during fall. Nothing really compares to riding the ski lift through some of the most vivid foliage you've ever seen! This is beautiful enough to rival any Vermont fall foliage, we say.
11. Abineau Trail to Bear Jaw Trail (Flagstaff)
Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
AllTrails/Kenny Steil
Finally, we head back to Flagstaff to embark on Abineau Trail to Bear Jaw Trail. The most strenuous hike on our list, this nearly seven-mile trek ascends almost 1,900 feet of mountainous terrain. Your efforts will be duly rewarded, however, as the pure bliss of seeing a forest floor covered in bright yellow leaves. This truly is one of the top places for autumn leaf peeping in Arizona!

How many of these spots have you checked off your fall bucket list? Did we miss your favorite place? Let us know, and check out our previous article to learn more about the Snowbowl during autumn: 7 Reasons Why It’s Better To Visit The Arizona Snowbowl In The Fall.

Address: Aspen Nature Loop, Arizona 86001, Humphrey's Peak Trail, Arizona 86001, USA
Address: Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA
Address: West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead, W Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek, 8067 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Snowbowl Drive, Snowbowl Dr, Arizona 86004, USA
Address: Forest Houses Resort, 9275 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: San Francisco Peaks, Arizona 86001, USA
Address: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173, USA
Address: Apple Annie's You-Pick Orchard, 2081 Hardy Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
Address: Inner Basin Trail, Arizona 86001, USA
Address: Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Arizona in the fall

August 17, 2022
Sarah M.

What are the best places to view colorful foliage in Arizona in the fall?

One of our favorite ways to view fall foliage in Arizona is from the comfort our cars, via a good, old-fashioned road trip. We put together the following fall foliage road trip in Arizona that visits some of the best and most beautiful spots in the state each autumn; places that come alive with ruby reds, pumpkin oranges, buttery yellows, and dazzling gold and copper hues. The trip visits some of the top places for leaf peeping in Arizona, such as San Francisco Peaks, Lockett Meadow, Verde Canyon, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Mogollon Rim, and the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Of course, if you prefer to enjoy a birds-eye view of the vibrant fall foliage of the Grand Canyon State, we highly recommend taking a chairlift ride via the Arizona Snowbowl. Thanks to its world-class ski slopes, the Snowbowl is most popular in the winter – but we personally believe that fall is the superior time to visit. Nothing quite compares to seeing the aspens from 10,000 feet in the air, the ground peppered with leaves that glimmer in the sunlight!

What are the best fall hikes in Arizona?

If you want to immerse yourself in the vibrant fall foliage of Arizona, there’s nothing like a hike! Some of our favorite autumn adventures in Arizona include the Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail and Aspen Nature Loop, Bill Williams Mountain Trail, West Fork of Oak Creek Trail #108, the Weatherford Trail and Bear Jaw Loop Trail, both in Flagstaff, and the Bill Williams Mountain Trail in Williams.

Address: Aspen Nature Loop, Arizona 86001, Humphrey's Peak Trail, Arizona 86001, USA
Address: Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA
Address: West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead, W Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek, 8067 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Snowbowl Drive, Snowbowl Dr, Arizona 86004, USA
Address: Forest Houses Resort, 9275 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: San Francisco Peaks, Arizona 86001, USA
Address: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173, USA
Address: Apple Annie's You-Pick Orchard, 2081 Hardy Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
Address: Inner Basin Trail, Arizona 86001, USA
Address: Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA