FLAGSTAFF GENERAL INFORMATION

CLIMATE

At 7,000 feet, Flagstaff offers a mild summer and four-seasons a year. Although the city of 52,000 citizens sees its fair share of snow (which is great for the ski season), the winters are not as harsh as one might suspect. You can expect an average of 288 days of sunshine each year.

A Note About Time Changes

Arizona (as well as the Hopi Reservation) does not observe Daylight Savings Time. The Navajo Nation does. Why is this important? When you make reservations at Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley or other popular destinations on the Navajo Nation, your starting time may actually be an hour later than in other locations within Arizona. From April through October, if it is 9 a.m. in Arizona, it is 10 a.m. on the Navajo Nation. From November through March, everywhere in Arizona is the same.

Important Telephone Numbers

Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 1-928-774-4505
Flagstaff Conventions and Visitors Bureau 1-928-779-7611
Flasgstaff Visitor's Center 1-800-842-7293

Please note that in 2001, the area code for all of Northern Arizona changed from 520 to 928.

Walnut Canyon

Just seven miles outside of Flagstaff on I-40 is the tranquil, stream-cut gorge of Walnut Canyon National Monument. Paved trails will take you to ancient cliff dwellings in the steep canyon walls. This is where the Sinagua Indians lived nearly 1,000 years ago. The Visitor Center doubles as a Museum exhibiting artifacts. For more information, call 1-928-527-0246.

Sunset Crater

Named by the explorer Major John Wesley Powell, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is an excellent destination for an afternoon trip. Just 15 miles from Flagstaff on Highway 89 you will see how time has little changed the rivers of lava from an eruption 900 years ago. Trails and viewpoints allow for a closer look. Fees required.

For more information call 1-928-556-7134.

Wupatki National Monument

In this area of the southwest, it certainly isn't surprising to find the remnants of earlier people. What is surprising about Wupatki is that this pueblo ruin has a ball court. Although archaeologists don't know what type of games were played in the court, they suggest a similarity to the Aztecs and Mayans in central and southern Mexico.

Visitors can see four pueblos by following the short trails. The largest, Wupatki Ruin, has approximately 85 rooms and is located just behind the visitor center which is open year round. For more information call 1-928-556-7040.