Overview

Hype:

The Rio de Flag Nature Trail travels along a shallow canyon carved by the Rio de Flag through the lava flow that covered much of the Flagstaff area 6 million years ago. Open from dawn to dusk, the trail is a half a mile in length.

Trail Condition: Class 2 (Trail may have tree roots or rocks jutting out. Navigation skills may consist of following rock cairns and choosing turns at junctions. Elevation gains may be more substantial.)

Time: 30 minutes

Length: 0.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: https://musnaz.org/about/campus/trails/

Getting There

Navigate to 35.234042, -111.665394.

Park in the Museum of Northern Arizona parking lot.

Route

The Rio de Flag nature trail begins at the flagpole just south of the museum entrance. Hikers can choose to hike the canyon loop, the forest loop, the pond loop, or a combination of the three. Navigation is easy as the highway or museum are visible along the whole trail.

Location

Closest City or Region: Flagstaff, Arizona

Coordinates: 35.233055, -111.663520

View larger map

Maps

Closest City or Region: Flagstaff, Arizona

Coordinates: 35.233055, -111.663520

Printable Maps

Brochure

April 3, 2022 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Killian Wagner,

Logistics

Start: 1:15

End: 1:40

Story

After we tried to go to the museum at Fort Tuthill and discovered it was closed, we went up to the Museum of Northern Arizona instead. The museum was nice enough, but the kids were incredibly energetic and didn't appreciate being told to keep quiet and not to climb on everything. It was a bit of a struggle. About 3/4 of the way through the museum, they had a little reading corner with some ant toys, so we let the kids play in that area for about 15 minutes. I fell asleep on the floor while waiting for them. After the museum, we meandered down the Rio de Flag trail and explored a bit then had a picnic lunch at one of the picnic tables.

Pictures