The Copper State is an autumn lover’s dream, and today, we’re taking you on a road trip to the very best fall foliage in Arizona. From the gilded aspens of Flagstaff to the deep reds, rich ambers, and silky smooth oranges of Sedona’s Oak Creek, this five-hour trip has it all. You’ll even catch a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad and spend the night in a treehouse surrounded by dazzling fall leaves at Forest Houses Resort.
Check out the official Google Maps directions and feel free to add or take away destinations to better suit your needs! Let’s gooooo!
Google Maps
- San Francisco Peaks
Theodore Grussing / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images Just northwest of Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks are a leaf-peeper’s paradise. For as far as the eye can see, gilded aspen groves line the mountainsides and make for a truly magical view. Take a scenic drive on Hart Prairie Road or Schultz Pass, both of which feature numerous hiking trails along the way. You’ll find more info about these scenic autumn drives in Arizona on the Forest Service website. San Francisco Peaks, Arizona 86001, USA
- Lockett Meadow (Flagstaff)
Thomas Roche / Moment Collection / Getty Images As you’re meandering along on Schultz Pass, make sure to stop at Lockett Meadow for one of the most breathtaking autumn scenes you’ll ever behold. There’s a reason this place is one of the most iconic fall destinations in Arizona! It’s about a three-mile hike from the road to the meadow, but it’s so worth it, as each step takes you deeper into a golden wonderland. Lockett Meadow Campground, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
- Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail (Flagstaff)
Angela Dukich / EyeEm Collection / Getty Images Nearby, the Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail is a moderate, 2.7-mile trek through the Coconino National Forest that sees most of its visitors in the fall. Those bright yellow aspens are at it again, spoiling us with their gorgeous leaves. 35°19'52.5"N, 111°42'44.7"W
- Arizona Snowbowl (Flagstaff)
Thomas Roche / Moment Collection / Getty Images Thanks to its world-class ski slopes, the Arizona Snowbowl is most popular in the winter - but we personally believe that fall is the superior time to visit. Nothing quite compares to seeing the aspens from 10,000 feet in the air, the ground peppered with leaves that glimmer in the sunlight. 9300 N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
- Bill Williams Mountain Trail (Williams)
Flickr/U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest Strenuous, yet rewarding, the 7.5-mile Bill Williams Mountain Trail is an out-and-back hike that begins at the Williams Ranger Station and ascends just under 2,400 feet to the mountaintop. It features both aspen and conifer forests, and the contrasting green and yellow hues during autumn are nothing short of jaw-dropping. You’ll find more information . Bill Williams Mountain, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
- West Fork of Oak Creek Trail #108 (Sedona)
Ed Bannister / Moment Collection / Getty Images Our Flagstaff-area adventures have come to an end, but don’t be sad - equally enchanting wonders are on the way! Sedona residents and visitors alike can’t get enough of West Fork Trail #108 in the fall, and it’s easy to understand why. Instead of the monochromatic aspens seen in the higher elevations (which are beautiful in their own right), this seven-mile trail boasts fall foliage of all different colors. More information can be found . West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead, W Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
- Verde Canyon Railroad (Clarkdale)
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad Next up, we’re headed to Clarkdale to take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The annual Fall Colors Tour takes you on a magical journey into a remote wilderness landscape, where cottonwood and willow trees erupt in a dazzling spectacle of autumn hues. The train features open-air cars, so not even a windshield will stand between you and the marvelous surroundings. Check out the Verde Canyon Railroad website for all the most up-to-date details. Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA
- Forest Houses Resort (Sedona)
Facebook/Forest Houses Resort Our final stop, Forest Houses Resort, is extra special because you can spend the night surrounded by eye-popping amber, crimson, and gold leaves. This particular cottage sleeps up to five guests, and there are plenty of other lodging options for larger and smaller groups alike. Check out the Forest Houses Resort website for more information. Forest Houses Resort, 9275 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Would you embark on this fall foliage road trip in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below, then check out our previous article to learn more about why you should spend the night at Forest Houses Resort in the fall.
Google Maps
Theodore Grussing / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Just northwest of Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks are a leaf-peeper’s paradise. For as far as the eye can see, gilded aspen groves line the mountainsides and make for a truly magical view. Take a scenic drive on Hart Prairie Road or Schultz Pass, both of which feature numerous hiking trails along the way. You’ll find more info about these scenic autumn drives in Arizona on the Forest Service website.
San Francisco Peaks, Arizona 86001, USA
Thomas Roche / Moment Collection / Getty Images
As you’re meandering along on Schultz Pass, make sure to stop at Lockett Meadow for one of the most breathtaking autumn scenes you’ll ever behold. There’s a reason this place is one of the most iconic fall destinations in Arizona! It’s about a three-mile hike from the road to the meadow, but it’s so worth it, as each step takes you deeper into a golden wonderland.
Lockett Meadow Campground, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Angela Dukich / EyeEm Collection / Getty Images
Nearby, the Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail is a moderate, 2.7-mile trek through the Coconino National Forest that sees most of its visitors in the fall. Those bright yellow aspens are at it again, spoiling us with their gorgeous leaves.
35°19'52.5"N, 111°42'44.7"W
Thanks to its world-class ski slopes, the Arizona Snowbowl is most popular in the winter - but we personally believe that fall is the superior time to visit. Nothing quite compares to seeing the aspens from 10,000 feet in the air, the ground peppered with leaves that glimmer in the sunlight.
9300 N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Flickr/U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest
Strenuous, yet rewarding, the 7.5-mile Bill Williams Mountain Trail is an out-and-back hike that begins at the Williams Ranger Station and ascends just under 2,400 feet to the mountaintop. It features both aspen and conifer forests, and the contrasting green and yellow hues during autumn are nothing short of jaw-dropping. You’ll find more information .
Bill Williams Mountain, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
Ed Bannister / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Our Flagstaff-area adventures have come to an end, but don’t be sad - equally enchanting wonders are on the way! Sedona residents and visitors alike can’t get enough of West Fork Trail #108 in the fall, and it’s easy to understand why. Instead of the monochromatic aspens seen in the higher elevations (which are beautiful in their own right), this seven-mile trail boasts fall foliage of all different colors. More information can be found .
West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead, W Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad
Next up, we’re headed to Clarkdale to take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The annual Fall Colors Tour takes you on a magical journey into a remote wilderness landscape, where cottonwood and willow trees erupt in a dazzling spectacle of autumn hues. The train features open-air cars, so not even a windshield will stand between you and the marvelous surroundings. Check out the Verde Canyon Railroad website for all the most up-to-date details.
Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA
Facebook/Forest Houses Resort
Our final stop, Forest Houses Resort, is extra special because you can spend the night surrounded by eye-popping amber, crimson, and gold leaves. This particular cottage sleeps up to five guests, and there are plenty of other lodging options for larger and smaller groups alike. Check out the Forest Houses Resort website for more information.
Forest Houses Resort, 9275 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall Foliage In Arizona August 20, 2022 Tori Jane Where should I go for a fall road trip in Arizona? Arizona is beautiful year-round, but autumn is especially magical. Sure, the east coast might get all the glory when it comes to vivid fall color, but don’t let that fool you: the desert southwest can be truly breathtaking during the transitional season between summer and winter. Some of the best destinations for a fall road trip in Arizona include the Humphrey Peaks, where you can check out Arizona Snowbowl and see some of the best of the best of colors on some of the best hiking trails in Arizona, like Kachina Trail and Humphrey’s Peak Trail. Come October, you’ll discover a wonderland of golds, oranges, and reds. Where can I see the best fall color in Arizona? Of course, Mt. Humphreys isn’t the only place to see Arizona’s fall color at its best. Check out Mount Lemmon, in Tucson, an amazing drive during which you’ll pass through no less than four different types of biome on the way up. Then, there’s the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, in Superior, which has thousands of species of trees (both native species and non-native) that turn truly brilliant in autumn. Another splendidly scenic fall color drive in Arizona is the 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff, which is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States – and it’s ours, all ours! Is there an Arizona fall foliage map available for 2022 yet? Though it’s impossible to truly “forecast” fall color, you’ll find plenty of resources online for leaf-peeping in Arizona. There’s the City of Flagstaff’s “Leafometer”, which park rangers update multiple times throughout the entire season, using a system that shows where the leaves are at in the color-changing process in various spots all over northern Arizona – it’s quite helpful when trying to plan a quick jaunt up north to see the color! Another website, SmokyMountains.com, provides maps and interactive charts for its own fall color forecasts. Both resources are very helpful.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall Foliage In Arizona
August 20, 2022
Tori Jane
Where should I go for a fall road trip in Arizona? Arizona is beautiful year-round, but autumn is especially magical. Sure, the east coast might get all the glory when it comes to vivid fall color, but don’t let that fool you: the desert southwest can be truly breathtaking during the transitional season between summer and winter. Some of the best destinations for a fall road trip in Arizona include the Humphrey Peaks, where you can check out Arizona Snowbowl and see some of the best of the best of colors on some of the best hiking trails in Arizona, like Kachina Trail and Humphrey’s Peak Trail. Come October, you’ll discover a wonderland of golds, oranges, and reds. Where can I see the best fall color in Arizona? Of course, Mt. Humphreys isn’t the only place to see Arizona’s fall color at its best. Check out Mount Lemmon, in Tucson, an amazing drive during which you’ll pass through no less than four different types of biome on the way up. Then, there’s the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, in Superior, which has thousands of species of trees (both native species and non-native) that turn truly brilliant in autumn. Another splendidly scenic fall color drive in Arizona is the 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff, which is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States – and it’s ours, all ours! Is there an Arizona fall foliage map available for 2022 yet? Though it’s impossible to truly “forecast” fall color, you’ll find plenty of resources online for leaf-peeping in Arizona. There’s the City of Flagstaff’s “Leafometer”, which park rangers update multiple times throughout the entire season, using a system that shows where the leaves are at in the color-changing process in various spots all over northern Arizona – it’s quite helpful when trying to plan a quick jaunt up north to see the color! Another website, SmokyMountains.com, provides maps and interactive charts for its own fall color forecasts. Both resources are very helpful.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is beautiful year-round, but autumn is especially magical. Sure, the east coast might get all the glory when it comes to vivid fall color, but don’t let that fool you: the desert southwest can be truly breathtaking during the transitional season between summer and winter. Some of the best destinations for a fall road trip in Arizona include the Humphrey Peaks, where you can check out Arizona Snowbowl and see some of the best of the best of colors on some of the best hiking trails in Arizona, like Kachina Trail and Humphrey’s Peak Trail. Come October, you’ll discover a wonderland of golds, oranges, and reds.
Where can I see the best fall color in Arizona?
Of course, Mt. Humphreys isn’t the only place to see Arizona’s fall color at its best. Check out Mount Lemmon, in Tucson, an amazing drive during which you’ll pass through no less than four different types of biome on the way up. Then, there’s the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, in Superior, which has thousands of species of trees (both native species and non-native) that turn truly brilliant in autumn. Another splendidly scenic fall color drive in Arizona is the 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff, which is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States – and it’s ours, all ours!
Is there an Arizona fall foliage map available for 2022 yet?
Though it’s impossible to truly “forecast” fall color, you’ll find plenty of resources online for leaf-peeping in Arizona. There’s the City of Flagstaff’s “Leafometer”, which park rangers update multiple times throughout the entire season, using a system that shows where the leaves are at in the color-changing process in various spots all over northern Arizona – it’s quite helpful when trying to plan a quick jaunt up north to see the color! Another website, SmokyMountains.com, provides maps and interactive charts for its own fall color forecasts. Both resources are very helpful.
