41 beauty, with trails passing through forests of ponderosa pine, Gambel oak and juniper. The area is located about 40 miles southwest of Flagstaff, and is accessible via a number of highways and Forest Roads. fs.usda.gov/recarea /coconino.
Grand Canyon and Williams 32. Red Mountain. When this cinder cone volcano erupted around 740,000 years ago, lava blew out the side of the volcano, revealing its insides. Towering rock formations called hoodoos, eroded by wind and water over the years, rise up as high as 1,000 feet in places to form a natural amphitheater at 16 99 Things to do in Northern Arizona
the end of the short out-and-back trail. From Flagstaff, drive northwest on U.S. 180 for approximately 25 miles to a dirt road at Milepost 247 (look for the Forest Service sign that marks the Red Mountain Trail). Turn left onto the dirt road and drive about a quarter mile to the trailhead.
33. The South Rim. Every year, people arrive to be wowed by the Grand Canyon. They catch sunrises and sunsets, or just have a moment in time at the canyon’s edge. The South Rim offers the easiest access, as it is the closest to an interstate and it has the most extensive lodging available. Learn more at www.nps.gov/grca or www.grandcanyonlodges.com.
34. Hopi House. Hopi House—modeled after 10,000-year-old pueblo dwellings in the Hopi village in Old Oraibi by famed Southwest architect Mary Colter—offers visitors a glimpse back in time. The gift shop carries Native American arts and crafts as well as museum quality artifact viewing. www. grandcanyonlodges.com/plan/shopping.
35. Bright Angel Lodge. The iconic Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins are full of cultural history. Another building designed by Colter, she was tasked with designing a fresh look for the lodge, including a geologic fireplace in the History Room that features all the rock layers of the Grand Canyon. www.grandcanyonlodges.com.
