Grand Circle Gateway
Cities
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Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau Begin this Grand Circle tour of grand canyons and Indian country in Phoenix, a modern desert city and the capitol of Arizona. The Valley of the Sun boasts more five star resorts than are found in any other metropolitan area in the country.
The Museum of Northern Arizona has one of the state's most significant collections of artifacts from the tribes of northern Arizona and exceptional displays of native American arts and crafts. Interactive exhibits describe the geology, archaeology and anthropology of the Colorado Plateau. The Flagstaff area has many important natural attractions and prehistoric ruins. Visit Walnut Canyon National Monument, located seven miles east of Flagstaff off of Interstate 40, to see more than 300 cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua Indians over 800 years ago. Further east on Interstate 40, about 40 miles from Flagstaff, is Meteor Crater, the most well-preserved crater on the planet. Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument, a Sinagua Indian ruin, both located off north of Flagstaff on US 89, may be toured en route to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Another "must" see on US 89 is Cameron Trading Post, the second-oldest operating trading post in Arizona and an active trading center for Navajo Indians. Cameron, located one mile north of the junction of US 89 with Arizona 64 to the Grand Canyon, is well known for its selection of Indian pottery, jewelry and rugs. Turn west on Arizona 64 and drive to the east entrance of the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Follow the 25 mile East Rim Drive to Grand Canyon Village. Stop first at Desert View Overlook, the highest point on the South Rim, and climb the Watch Tower to enjoy the panoramic views of the Painted Desert, Colorado River and Marble Canyon. The unusual stone tower, built by Fred Harvey in 1932, is a re-creation of prehistoric Indian ruins found in the Four Corners area. Continue along the Canyon's East Rim Drive for 14 miles to Grandview Point, one of the most magnificent viewpoints in the park. Reservations are required any time of the year, however "walk ups" can often find room at the various inns. Two of the finest places for food, lodging and views of the South Rim are tEl Tovar Hotel, built in 1905, and the historic Bright Angel Lodge which is also situated on the rim. From the South Rim, return to Arizona 64 and head east to US 89. At the junction of US 89 and US 160, go northeast to Navajo National Monument and the well-preserved cliff-dwelling ruins of Keet Seel, Betatakin and Inscription House. Betatakin is accessible by a short hike. Keet Seel, the largest cliff dwelling in Arizona, is a 16 mile roundtrip hike or horseback ride. Inscription House is currently closed to the public. From Navajo National Monument it's only a little more than 40 miles to Monument Valley. Take US 160 to Kayenta, "Gateway to Monument Valley", and then go north on US 163 to Monument Valley. There's a self-guided scenic drive on a 17-mile dirt road that loops through the park. One of the best ways to see the valley, however, is to take a Navajo guided jeep tour of the hogans, petroglyphs and sandstone monuments which are not accessible by the loop road. Goulding's Lodge is just a few minutes away from the entrance to the monument and the only place to stay in the valley. Each room comes with a spectacular view of the red rock buttes and sand dunes. Visitors should take time to wander through the old trading post building and the displays of Indian artifacts and movie memorabilia. Next stop is Canyon de Chelly National Monument, one of the most awe inspiring spots in this Navajo and Hopi country. Depending upon the season, the sheer sandstone walls of Canyon de Chelly can be trimmed by brilliant emerald green wild grass or dusted with a lacy mantilla of snow. The Visitors Center provides excellent maps of self-guided rim drives. The only hike allowed without a guide is the two and one-half mile round-trip to White House ruins. This hike takes about two hours to complete, but the path is well maintained and not overly strenuous. At Canyon de Chelly the historic Thunderbird Lodge opened as a Navajo trading post in 1902. Visitors can stay there in the park today. It is located one-half mile south of the Visitors Center. From Canyon de Chelly, follow US 191 south for 36 miles to Hubbell Trading Post, a charming historic destination filled with elegant arts and crafts. The rug room is a wonder in itself. This busy center serves the Navajo in the area much as it did when Lorenzo Hubbell was living here in the 1800s and working with the Navajo. From Hubbell, take Arizona 264 west to the Hopi Reservation. The Hopi have lived in this the Four Corners region the longest of any native residents and their ancestors may be traced to 1500 years ago. Today the Hopi make their homes atop three 600 foot high mesas. The Hopi Cultural Center, on the Second Mesa, often has exhibits of Hopi customs and crafts. Old Oraibi, the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States since AD 1150, is nearby, on Third Mesa. From Hopi, follow Arizona 264 west to Tuba City. At the junction of Arizona 264 and US 160, stop at the Indian Cultural Museum. The collection is small but superb. Continue south on US 160 to US 89 to return to Flagstaff.
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A drive two hours north, on
Interstate 17, opens another world. Flagstaff is nestled high in
the pines at 7,000 feet elevation. Located just south of
Arizona's highest point, Humphrey's Peak, this city celebrates
all four seasons. Visitors come to ski the Fairfield Snow Bowl
in the winter, and to camp, hike and rock climb the rest of the
year. Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University, the
world-famous Lowell Observatory, where the planet Pluto was
discovered in 1930, and several outstanding museums.
