Looking for beautiful Fall Foliage colors this year? Your timing is perfect! The Flagstaff and surrounding areas offer a variety of fall colors from late September to early October. Expect to see an abundance of red, orange and yellow leaves.

We recommend four different places for seeing the changing of colors; Hart Prairie Road, Lockett Meadow, Fern Mountain and The Arboretum at Flagstaff.

Hart Prairie Road is a two-hour tour that winds through unending aspen groves. The tour consists of 50 miles of paved and dirt roads. It is best to schedule more than two hours to really enjoy the colors. Plan a picnic or stop here to take in the smells and fresh crisp air. From the Flagstaff area, take US 180 north for about 10 miles to Forest Service Road 151, which is Hart Prairie Road. This road loops through the aspens and back to US 180. It is a simple and beautiful drive.

Lockett Meadow is located in the basin of the San Francisco Peaks. You can listen to the red, yellow and orange leaves fluttering in the wind and feel the brisk air on your face. The drive and hike should be considered a ½ day trip from Flagstaff. To get to Locket Meadow, take Hwy. 89 north for 17.1 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 552. Travel 1.2 miles down to the 18.3-mile marker, there you will find a sign for Locket Meadow. Turn right. Travel 3 miles to the 21.3-mile marker; this will be the entrance to Locket Meadow. The road is narrow and up hill, so be prepared. Locket Meadow has out houses but no running water. It is best to be prepared with food, wipes and water.

Our third stop on our self guided tour is Fern Mountain. Which is near our first stop. With stunning 360 views there is no better vantage point than Fern Mountain. Take Highway 180 north from Flagstaff about 14 miles to Forest Road 794 on the right. Go about two miles on FR 794 to a cattle guard and “Private Property” sign. Park and walk a half-mile through dense pines to a clearing ringed by aspen groves. Proceed along the path through the groves to Hart Prairie Road. The trailhead is just off the roadway. The trail is about a half mile. The trail is medium in terms of difficultly, it is steep, but short. The views are stunning! You will see 360 degrees of the Peaks, Hart Prairie, Kendrick Mountain and on a clear day the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Be sure to view our Leaf-O-Meter to determine the best time to come up and see this awesome view.

Be sure to visit The Arboretum of Flagstaff. They offer a wide variety of fall color species to view. Here is a list of the type of species to expect while visiting at the Arboretum.

Embassy Suites Flagstaff provides the perfect vantage point to stay in the Flagstaff while enjoying all the wonders of Fall in Flagstaff.

• Free cooked to order breakfast daily
• Complimentary Evening Reception
• Two Room Suites
• Free Internet Access