Where to See Fall Colors in Arizona: 5 Great Spots
The Forest Service says this is peak week for fall colors in Arizona!
Their annual Foliage Prediction Map is out, and while much of the West is “past peak,” Arizona is in prime-time for foliage in mid-October.
USFS Fall Foliage Prediction Map
1. Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff
Snowbowl just opened its new gondola for scenic fall rides a few days ago.
For years, the resort has taken people up on the standard chairlifts, but now for the first time, you can ride up the mountain inside a gondola, with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The scenic gondola is open daily from 10am to 4pm, and the hours sometimes expand on the weekends. You should purchase tickets before heading there on Snowbowl’s website. They range in price from $25 to $35.
Snowbowl is also offering sunset gondola rides on Friday and Saturday.
The ride up is only about 15 minutes, but you can get out and walk around on the trails to viewpoints at the top.
Thanks to the staff at Snowbowl for sending these beautiful photos to me! You can see - the peaks are already snow-covered in spots, so dress warmly!
2. Lockett Meadow, north of Flagstaff
It’s a favorite spot, and it’s also one of the most popular spots to see the leaves change.
Lockett Meadow is home to an aspen grove at the base of the San Francisco Peaks.
Crowds flock there when the foliage is at its peak, so in recent years rangers have restricted traffic and parking.
Rangers will monitor traffic, and restrict parking in the lot to 100 cars at a time.
The best advice is to go early in the morning, or on weekdays if you can, to avoid the crowds.
3. Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon along Highway 89A
The drive between Sedona and Flagstaff is beautiful any time of year, and the fall colors only add to it.
The 30-mile stretch is full of switchbacks and vistas to enjoy the colors.
If you’d like to get out and explore on foot, the West Fork Oak Creek Trail has long been a favorite fall hike in Sedona. You’ll notice, the trees there are still in a regrowth period, following a fire in 2014. The trailhead is 9 miles north of Sedona on Highway 89A.
While you’re in the area, check out Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, which is also full of trees changing colors this month. The park entrance fee is $7 per car.
4. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, on the US-60 east of the Valley
This beautiful spot was spared by a wildfire, which burned through the Superior, AZ, area earlier this year.
The leaves here typically turn color much later in the year. Staff at the Arboretum say “peak week” usually happens after Thanksgiving into early December.
The Arboretum is Arizona’s largest and oldest botanical garden, and worth a visit any time of year.
5. Maples on the Mogollon
The USDA put out guidance on the best spots in the Coconino National Forest for leaf-viewing. It includes Flagstaff and Sedona, but also parts of Arizona’s “Rim Country.”
In addition to the yellow aspens, you’ll see oranges and reds from maple and oak trees.
Several of the forest roads with the best viewing are accessible from State Route 87 or Saint Mary Road.
The experts suggest Forest Road 300, which connects to SR 87.
Forest Roads 139 and 321 are also recommended for a variety of deciduous trees changing colors.
