The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Arizona
Want to see fall colors in Arizona this year? While Arizona is known for its vast deserts, it also boasts stunning landscapes that showcase the beauty of autumn. Imagine driving just an hour or two in any direction and finding yourself surrounded by a whole new world of vibrant foliage. If, like me, you have a deep love for the desert but long to witness the magic of changing leaves, you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re unveiling the ultimate guide to the BEST destinations for fall colors in Arizona. Let’s embark on this extraordinary journey.
TOP 4 LOCATIONs FOR FALL COLORS IN ARIZONA
1. FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA
Flagstaff is undeniably the BEST place to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of fall colors in Arizona. Nestled in the heart of Flagstaff, the Downtown College Area boasts not only charming stores, but delicious restaurants that will surely satisfy your cravings. As you venture further, the local parks in Flagstaff beckon you with their tranquil atmosphere and enchanting foliage, creating the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic. Beyond the parks, there are many beautiful trails in the forest to fully immerse yourself in the fall vibes- let me list a few!
USE THE LEAF-OMETER WEBSITE TO ACTIVELY TRACK FALL FOLIAGE
INNER BASIN TRAIL
*****NOTE: Inner Basin Trail/Road is reopened but did experience the Pipeline Fire in June 2022, so you may see burn marks. This is your reminder to leave no trace.
Inner Basin Trail is a must! Here you will the beautiful yellow-orange display of the aspens in the mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona. This hike is rated moderate as it is much higher elevation than Phoenix, so bring lots of water. You do need a high clearance vehicle to drive up this road to the trailhead/campground. The best time to see peak color is between Week 1-3 of October. It is a beautiful place to see fall colors in Arizona.
- 3.4 mi roundtrip
- 774 ft elevation gain
- 43 minutes north of Flagstaff to the Trailhead
- Directions: Going north on HWY17 past Flagstaff, turn left directly across from Sunset Crater National Monument, then turn right onto Schultz Pass Rd and follow about 5 miles to the trailhead.
- IMPORTANT: High Clearance Vehicle Recommended (bumpy dirt road)
ARIZONA SNOWBOWL/Aspen Loop
Arizona Snowbowl is one of Arizona’s few ski resorts- yes it snows here! Snowbowl is by far the most popular. It too is one of my favorite places to see Fall Colors in Arizona. When it isn’t snowing, Snowbowl is a destination for scenic ski lifts and hikes galore. In the fall, you can drive up Snowbowl road and stop anywhere you want to take a picture! Just pop “Arizona Snowbowl” or “Aspen Loop” into your GPS and it’ll take you there (it’s about 24 minutes/14 miles outside of Downtown to the top). The photo above was taken a month before leaves change, so if you went in October this photo would be full of yellow leaves! Aspen Loop can e turned into a hike, but we just parked and took photos and relaxed in a hammock close to the road.
Mt. Humphrey’s Trail
If you’re up for a challenge and extra fall colors (& less crowds), you should hike Mt. Humphrey’s Trail. Yes, this is the tallest peak in Arizona. If you’re trying to enjoy fall colors, you don’t need to hike the whole thing. You should at least once, but at least go up to the saddle. Mt. Humprehy’s Trail is located up Snowbowl Road outside of the Downtown Area.
- 10.7 miles roundtrip
- 3,395 ft elevation gain
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Rating: HARD
2. PRESCOTT, AZ
Not everyone knows about Prescott, but they should! It’s definitely the most unexpected place to see Fall Colors in Arizona. Prescott is less than 2 hours from Phoenix, making it the perfect weekend getaway! To get your autumn fix, walk around Willow, Watson, or Goldwater Lake, see the festive historic downtown houses, and grab something to eat in Historic Whiskey Row and check out Courthouse Square. You won’t regret it! Close by is Jerome which is also great for fall vibes.
3. SEDONA, ARIZONA
Most people know Sedona has RED rock, but in the fall it also has RED LEAVES. Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona totally LIGHTS UP in the fall with bright red Maples leaves. West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon is THE trail to do in Sedona in the fall. The awesome thing about this trail is you can go as far as you want. You don’t need to feel the need to go the whole way if you’re limited by time or other factors- it’s beautiful the whole way! I also love being able to skip over a creek and enjoy the canyon views. If you’re thinking about seeing Fall Colors in Arizona, you can’t forget Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona.
WEST FORK TRAIL
- 6.5 mi roundtrip
- 567 ft elevation change
- 20 minutes north of Downtown Sedona
- Directions: Going north on Highway 89A. About 10 miles past Downtown, there will be a turnoff on the left called “Call of the Canyon Recreational Area.”
- IMPORTANT: $10 day-use parking fee. You can also try to park along Highway 89A for free and walk. National Park Pass does not apply here.
HAVE A FEW EXTRA DAYS TO EXPLORE SEDONA?
I highly suggest extending your trip in Sedona. Here’s a few options!
4. MT. ORD
This one is a special family secret for Fall Colors in Arizona. My father-in-law used to take his children up to this spot for their birthdays to watch the stars and camp. You’ll likely be the only one there which is really special! It’s much cooler than Phoenix + you can enjoy fall colors- the perfect combo! Activities at Mt. Ord include hiking (go up past the parking lot to the fire lookout- make sure to ask the owners if you can climb it), camping (free), and stargazing (the best I’ve ever had). I highly suggest Mt. Ord- some of my happiest moments are at the top of this cute little mountain.
- 1 hr, 15 minutes northeast of Tempe, 30 minutes south of Payson, AZ
- Go up Highway 87 until you pass the town of Sunflower. When you hit mile point 222, turn to the right when you see the ‘Mt. Ord’ sign. From the turn off, it’s a 30 minute drive on a dirt road to the top (I suggest a high clearance vehicle).
5. THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
The White Mountains in Arizona are located about 3 hours from Downtown Phoenix. It includes towns like Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, and Greer. Life is much quieter and more simple here, which is why I love it. It’s beautiful to visit throughout the year, but the fall colors are stunning, turning a bright yellow contrasted with the Pine Tree Green. Definitely stay a day or two to enjoy all of the fun local activities.
HAVE A FEW DAYS TO EXPLORE THE AREA?
My top recommendations include hiking the Thompson Trail, getting coffee at Cycleogical Coffee, and staying at The Nook in Pinetop. If you stay at The Nook, use my code “DO23” for 15% off.
6. TUCSON AND MT. LEMMON
Southern Arizona has fall too. Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona summits at over 9,100 ft. It is termed as a a “Sky Island,” which is an isolated mountain range where vegetation and wildlife is drastically different than the surrounding low level desert. It’s so fun to drive up the scenic road and see how things change. Mt. Lemmon lights up in beautifu fall colors early to mid October. I highly suggest checking out the Cookie Cabin near the summit- it’s delicious! This is one of the best spots to see fall colors in Arizona.
SUMMARY OF FALL COLORS IN ARIZONA
Arizona is beautiful in the fall. Don’t feel pressured that you need to see all of these places- it’s near impossible. Pick 1 weekend and drive up north to enjoy the fall season. You won’t regret it. Note- this is not an all-inclusive list, just a few of my favorites. Happy hiking y’all!
