Arizona
Nature

Picture Canyon In Flagstaff, Arizona Is So Little-Known, You Just Might Have It All To Yourself

Picture Canyon in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a hidden gem featuring nature trails, a waterfall, and ancient petroglyphs.

Published Apr 18, 2023

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

One of the best natural wonders in Arizona has been hiding under many of our noses for over 1,000 years. Picture Canyon in Flagstaff is a beautiful city park with nature trails, a waterfall, and ancient petroglyphs drawn by the Northern Sinagua people a millennium ago. This place is such a hidden gem, you just might have it all to yourself!

How many city parks do you know of that have ancient petroglyphs and a gorgeous waterfall? Probably few, if any - which is what makes Picture Canyon so special.

alt
Wikimedia Commons/Bobby Chin

Located within the city limits of Flagstaff, Picture Canyon Natural & Cultural Preserve is a 478-acre hidden gem that offers multi-use trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and 1,000-year-old Northern Sinagua petroglyphs and ruins.

advertisement
alt
TripAdvisor/ 無名

This is easily some of the most well-preserved rock art in the state, and hardly anyone knows it even exists! Marvel at ancient history, and read the informative signs to walk away with some new knowledge.

alt
TripAdvisor/AlexG1510

Several different trails make their way through the preserve. The longest among them is the Tom Moody Trail, which spans just under three miles.

alt
Wikimedia Commons/Bobby Chin

The trail starts off running parallel to the Rio de Flag, a river that originates from the majestic San Francisco Peaks.

alt
Wikimedia Commons/Bobby Chin

After crossing a wooden footbridge, the Tom Moody Trail leads to a stunning-as-can-be petroglyph site.

alt
TripAdvisor/sbbcampervan

The waterfall within the preserve can be viewed from both the Tom Moody Trail and the 0.7-mile Don Weaver Trail, which showcases the lovely cascade from the opposite side of the canyon. Finally, the third trail is a 1.5-mile section of the famed Arizona Trail, which runs all the way from Mexico to Utah.

advertisement
alt
Wikimedia Commons/Bobby Chin

Designated as both an Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience Site and a Northern AZ Audubon Site, Picture Canyon's lush, riparian habitat is home to numerous mammal and bird species. Don't forget your binoculars!

alt
TripAdvisor/AlexG1510

Check out the view from the top of the canyon - it's picture-perfect if you ask us.

alt
TripAdvisor/sbbcampervan

Visit the City of Flagstaff website to learn more about Picture Canyon and/or to get directions.

Have you ever visited Picture Canyon? If so, do you think it's one of the best natural wonders in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don't forget to check out our previous article for the ultimate itinerary of things to do on a weekend trip to Flagstaff.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Hiking

The 1.3-Mile Hiking Trail in Arizona That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

To view fall foliage, take this short but sweet hiking trail in Arizona's Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

Published Sep 27, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Well before we go walking in a winter wonderland, there are the months of fall, and with this season comes the foliage. For many, including myself, fall is the best season of all! The grueling heat of summer falls to the wayside allowing cooler air to settle over the Arizona landscape. Ice cream is traded in for apple cider donuts and other delectable autumnal goodies, days by the pool give way to days at the pumpkin patch, and many more residents emerge from summer hibernation to hit the trails in search of exercise and fall foliage. If you're someone who loves to view fall foliage, you must take this short but sweet hiking trail in Arizona's Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

advertisement

Ramsey Canyon Preserve sits in Southeastern Arizona close to the Mexican border. With its diverse landscapes of two deserts and two different mountain ranges coming together in the same area, you'll find a unique variety of plants, trees, and wildlife here.

ramsey canyon trail fall hike
Tamara Ponchahar/AllTrails

Among the trees in Ramsey Canyon are sycamores and maples which turn a kaleidoscope of hues like yellow, red, orange, and brown come fall. Needless to say, as far as fall foliage hikes go, a trip to Ramsey Canyon Preserve should be at the top of your list.

fall at ramsey canyon
Tamara Ponchahar/AllTrails

Take the Ramsey Canyon Trail, a short and sweet 1.3-mile hike. The trail is well-maintained and considered an easy trek. That being said, you'll be able to take the whole family for some leaf-peeping! However, leave the pups at home as they are not allowed on the trail.

Let the peace and calm of nature wash over you as you hike through the preserve. Notice the cooler fall air on your face, the colors of the foliage, and the way the fall light hits the leaves. This is such an incredible time of year, isn't it?

ramsey canyon trail fall foliage
Jessica Juarez/AllTrails

Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the year along with Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, so keep that in mind when planning your trip here.

Are you planning to take a fall foliage trek along this hiking trail in Arizona's Ramsey Canyon Preserve this year? What are some of your favorite hiking trails for leaf-peeping in the state? Let us know! Visit AllTrails for a Ramsey Canyon Trail map and reviews. You should also download the incredibly handy AllTrails+ app so you can download offline maps.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Forests

Here Are The Best Times And Places To View Arizona’s Fall Foliage In 2024

Who's ready for fall and fall colors? Our friends at Smoky Mountains is going to help answer when do leaves change color in Arizona 2024.

Updated Sep 4, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

If you live in Arizona and are over the summer heat like I am, fall is the most wonderful season of all! In fact, it's the most wonderful time of the year. As the intense heat dissipates, we can spend as much time outdoors as we want and, best of all, the leaves begin to change from their bright green to hues of crimson, orange, and gold. Each year, our friends at Smoky Mountains create a super helpful predictive map of when the leaves are likely to change color in your part of the state.

advertisement

So, when do leaves change color in Arizona? Take a look at the following Arizona fall foliage map 2024 and you'll see!

Our first glimpses of fall will occur in some of the higher elevation areas like Yavapai and Pima Counties around mid-September and will hit their peak roughly a month later.

alt
Prusak/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Pictured here are Aspens in Prescott at the start of fall.

Imagine viewing fall foliage against the red rocks of Sedona (Yavapai County). Well, you can if you time your visit just right. Make sure you're here sometime around mid-to-late October.

alt
lmel9000/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Also during mid-to-late October, you should plan on hiking the Aspen Trail Loop in Flagstaff. With the Aspens all in their golden glow, it will be like walking into a dream.

alt
Von Knight/AllTrails

By this time, Mohave and Coconino counties will start to see the leaves change. This will just be the beginning, so don't expect a full palette of fall colors in these areas quite yet.

alt
Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Moment via Getty Images

As time marches on, the fall colors spread. By early October, both Apache and Navajo counties will begin to see the leaves change. Peak fall foliage will occur by Halloween.

advertisement
alt
Susan Ruggles/Photodisc via Getty Images

Be sure to plan lots of fun during this time - by November, the rest of the state should reach peak fall foliage while the counties that started the season weeks earlier will be past their peak... then we can start getting excited about the upcoming holiday season!

alt
Christopher Harris/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

So, we hope this helps answer when do leaves change in Arizona. Make sure to visit the Smoky Mountains website for more.

What are your plans this fall in Arizona? How about a road trip around the state? Before you hit the open road to go leaf peeping this season, be sure to check out our road trip essentials packing list.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Stays
Hotels & Resorts

I Enjoyed a Perfect Coastal Retreat at This Mid-Century Hotel and San Diego’s Newest Restaurant

by Natasha Kayes
on Oct 11
alt
Nature
Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Explore One of Alaska’s Deepest, Cleanest Lakes Near Two National Parks

by Megan McDonald
on Oct 11
alt

The Globally Important Bird Area in Virginia Where You Can See Hundreds of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

by Lisa Sammons
on Oct 11
alt
Food
Restaurants

Dine for Less Than $10 a Person at This Iconic Hot Dog Joint in South Carolina

by Megan Todaro
on Oct 11
alt
Nature
Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Hawaii Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

by Andrea Verschuyl
on Oct 11
The rugged Na Pali Coast rises up beside the bright blue ocean.