Northern Arizona University

 

Southwest Driving Tours

Sunset Crater / Wupatki / Grand Canyon Loop

This trip takes about four to five hours and leads through several interesting landmarks.

Head northeast from Flagstaff to Sunset Crater, an inactive volcano that geologists say last erupted around 1,000 A.D. The eruption of the volcano and subsequent drought may have been responsible for the demise of the Anasazi culture that thrived here for 600 years. Take in interesting views of Painted Desert and the San Francisco Peaks and explore lava flows and cinder hills. See Sunset Crater Volcano for details.

Continue north toward Wupatki to visit the ruins of an ancient Native American Pueblo. The drive includes some dramatic views of the Painted Desert, and a small museum on site describes the anthropology of the culture that lived here For a virtual tour beforehand, see Wupatki.

Drive back to Route 89 and continue north to the town of Cameron. Have lunch at the Cameron Trading Post, which has been in business for almost 100 years, and features an extensive selection of Native American jewelry, weaving, and art. Try a traditional Navajo taco for lunch.

For some of the best views of the Grand Canyon, drive west toward the Grand Canyon, enter the park, and stop at Desert View. famous Southwest architect Mary Colter designed the Watchtower at Desert View, and many other rustic buildings at the Grand Canyon and in the surrounding region. Her work is noted for its quiet elegance and how it blends into the surrounding environment. The Watchtower is one of the best examples of her work. It is built out of native sandstone and literally melts into the cliff where it stands on the rim of the canyon. More than five stories tall, most of the tower is open to the public. Stairways take the visitor up to balconies and an outside observation deck, where the views of the Little Colorado and Grand Canyon area are magnificent. For more information and photos, see Desert View Watchtower. 

Flagstaff / Oak Creek Canyon / Sedona / Jerome

If you’re looking for warm temperatures, head south on Highway 89-A toward Sedona. Your trip will take you to the top of the Mogollon rim—the edge of the huge geological formation known as the Colorado Plateau, which covers four states. Take in the views at the Oak Creek Canyon overlook and see Navajo jewelry and handicrafts that are on display there.

Continue south on 89 into the spectacular Oak Creek Canyon. Stop at a popular Slide Rock State Park on the way, where you can slide down slick red rocks and plunge in refreshing Oak Creek.

If you drive further, you’ll enter the scenic artist enclave of Sedona. Take in the galleries on the main drag, go hiking in the spectacular red rocks, or take a backcountry jeep tour.

From Sedona continue south on 89 through the village of Cottonwood to the historic mining town of Jerome. Once called the “wickedest town in the west,” this walkable town gives you for a taste of what mining life was like during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

If you are coming back to Flagstaff, return through Camp Verde to access Interstate 17. When you get to the top of the plateau, be on the lookout for hawks, eagles, and particularly deer, and elk, who feed along the interstate at dusk and are a danger when they cross the highway.

Las Vegas / Hoover Dam / Old 66 Tour

You may want to attend the conference by flying into Las Vegas and renting a car. Because Las Vegas is a popular destination spot, flights are competitively priced. Las Vegas is four hours from Flagstaff, but has interesting scenery and historic places along the way. Because much of the ride parallels old Route 66, you may decide to get your kicks in the old towns of Kingman and Seligman. Steinbeck called Route 66 the “mother road” in his classic novel, Grapes of Wrath. Check out the Route 66 travel guide.

From Kingman, head northwest toward Las Vegas on Route 93, a lonely desert road, and make sure you have plenty of fuel! An hour north of Kingman, you will descend into Black Canyon, the site of one of the greatest construction projects of all time: Hoover Dam. Plan to spend a few hours here taking the tour, visiting the museum, and checking out the impressive new Hoover Dam bridge bypass project.

Spend Saturday night in Las Vegas, but watch your wallet. The whole place has been cleverly designed to pick your pocket!

Flagstaff and Vicinity Tour

If you stay in Flagstaff, take in some of the many interesting things to see and do. During the day, visit nearby Walnut Canyon

At dusk, head up Route 180 toward the Grand Canyon and take in the sunset with incredible views of the Colorado Plateau at the Arizona Snowbowl. On Saturday night, visit Lowell observatory where Pluto was discovered in the 1930’s. After the show, check out the downtown galleries, restaurants, and bars, such as the Zane Grey room atop the Weatherford Hotel —or head over to the famous Route 66 juke joint, The Museum Club, for a night of cowboys and country swing dancing.. Flagstaff can be cold in the spring time, so be sure to bring a sweater and a warm coat!