Trails

Why Trails?


  • "Trails are a a valuable asset to any community. Trails increase property values, encourage healthier lifestyles and provide a way for people to become engaged in the natural world." -Economic Values of Greenway, Trails and River Protection (1995), American Trails.org
  • "A trail... that is accessible to so many people, is in may ways one of the best amenities that a community can have." -Anthony Quintile, board member of Flagstaff Biking Organization
Coconino County - Greater Flagstaff Area Trails Map

Trails Rules & Regulations


All Parks and Recreation trails are non-motorized and open to hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians. Use of trails when muddy is discouraged, as it can damage the trail and make it hazardous for others to use. Please note that these trails are occasionally used for events and closed temporarily to the public.

Look for posted notices of trail closures and warning signs. Call (928) 679-8000 for the latest information.

Multi-Use Trails in Coconino County Parks and Recreation



Fort Tuthill County Park offers a network of nearly seven miles of multi-use, non-motorized trails. View trail maps (one-color or multi-color) and check out the descriptions below:
  • Soldiers Trail - The Soldiers Trail loops around the perimeter of the park, approximately 5.1 miles. This is an easy trail, with several challenging hills. The trail was named Soldiers Trail in honor of those who trained at the Fort when it was a National Guard Training facility prior to World War II. To reach the trail from the trailhead, go north on the Flagstaff Urban Trail for a half-mile to the trail junction.
  • Bridge Trail - The Bridge Trail is approximately one-mile in length and connects to Soldiers Trail in the southwest portion of the park. This is a nature trail with two rock benches for enjoying the views. It is a much more challenging trail for mountain bicyclists, and is not recommended for equestrians. To reach the trail, look for the trail junctions from the north and south legs of the Soldiers Trail.
  • Highlands Trail - This trail joins up with the Soldiers Trail on the south side of the park and is 3.8 miles long, with a small loop prior to reaching Hwy 89A before crossing Hwy 89A. It ranges from easy in the segment from Fort Tuthill to Highway 89A, and then moderate to challenging in the segment to the Kachina Wetlands. Much of the trail covers the top of a mesa with some great views of the forest below. The trail travels through ponderosa pine forest and traverses a few canyons where there is an opportunity to view a variety of wildlife. Two hundred volunteers built the trail in June 2008 as part of National Trails Day, and the American Conservation Experience donated a crew to complete the trail - thank you all! Highlands Trail is a cooperative project with Coconino National Forest. It was was conceived by District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan and seeded with a donation of cash and trail easement from Forest Highlands. The County provided planning, construction and maintenance.
National Trails Day 2008
Rogers Lake County Natural Area offers two trails that introduce people to this high-elevation wetland. Directions: Take Historic Route 66 west from Flagstaff and turn south on Woody Mountain Road. Travel 7.4 miles to the first (or north) trailhead, and travel another 1.1 miles to the second (or south) trailhead (or 8.5 miles from Route 66); stay on Forest Road 231. View the trail map:
  • Gold Digger Trail - 4-mile, single-track loop along east side of Woody Mountain Road; at the halfway point along the trail, users will encounter a shade ramada with rainwater collection feature for birds. This trail is in the process of being signed. Read the July 2015 story in the Arizona Republic!
  • 2-Spot Trail - 2-mile loop. This trail is in the process of being completed and signed. Users will also be able to experience wildlife viewing on a new watchable wildlife platform. Read the July 2015 story in the Arizona Republic!
Pumphouse County Natural Area:
  • Pumphouse Nature Trail - Visitors may encounter western and mountain bluebirds, blue grosbeak, broad-tailed hummingbird, belted kingfisher, flycatchers, phoebes, five different species of swallows and the occasional Lewis's woodpecker along this easy, ¾-mile round-trip trail with wildlife viewing blinds, stone bench work and four educational displays.
Peaks View County Park:
  • There is a short trail (approximately one mile in length) around the perimeter of Peaks View County Park in Doney Park; one for equestrians and one for hikers.

Other County Trails


A portion of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) links Fort Tuthill to the City of Flagstaff; this portion is the Sinclair Wash Trail. It is approximately five miles to downtown Flagstaff from the park. Traveling north, the trail passes Mountain Dell, University Heights, and Northern Arizona University.
A trail run in progress
The Flagstaff Loop Trail is a proposed multi-use, non-motorized 42-mile trail that will include many existing trails, including portions of the Arizona Trail, some social trails, and some two-track road converted to trail. As of 2014, 35 of those miles have been constructed.

For information about other trails within Coconino County, please contact:
  • Coconino National Forest - The Coconino National Forest extends from the Mogollon Rim's Blue Ridge area, west to Sedona and Sycamore Canyon, and north past the San Francisco Peaks.
  • Kaibab National Forest - The Kaibab National Forest includes Williams, Sycamore Canyon, Kendrick Mountain, south of the Grand Canyon, and the Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon.
  • Grand Canyon National Park - The Grand Canyon is an international attraction to hikers world-wide. Expect more difficult trails that range in elevation from 1500' at the Colorado River to 9000 feet on the North Rim.
  • City of Flagstaff - The Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) extends throughout the City of Flagstaff. The trails are improved surface trails suitable for hikers, runners, and cyclists.
  • Arizona Trail - At 800 miles long, this border-to-border trail crosses the state from Mexico to Utah. The trail is non-motorized, and open to hikers, backpackers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians.