With the spring semester ending, NAU students are anticipating a warm and eventful summer in Flagstaff. Along with idyllic temperatures and consistent sunshine, Flagstaff and its bordering areas offer an array of outdoor activities for locals during the summer months. 

“The best part about summers in Flagstaff is definitely the weather,” said senior fire science major Anthony Acheson. “As far as being surrounded by all the elements and whatnot, you can just pick and choose as to what you want to do.”

On any given clear, 80-degree afternoon, students can lace up a pair of boots and enjoy the abundance of day hiking opportunities in the Flagstaff area. Walnut Canyon National Monument, located eight miles east of Flagstaff, features the Island Trail and the Rim Trail. Along with the summer scenery, both trails allow hikers to explore ancient ruins and cliff dwellings.

“For the most part, I just like to bushwhack it,” Acheson said. “But as far as trails go, you’ve got Walnut Canyon and the Inner Basin, which is on the 89 if you’re going towards Page. You can actually summit Humphreys from that trail. In the summer and fall, it’s just ridiculous how beautiful it is; you go through so much different vegetation.”

Though Flagstaff may be a few hundred miles away from the nearest beach, Oak Creek Canyon, located about 30 minutes west of Flagstaff, offers a handful of waterfront lounging destinations. Grasshopper Point, Midgely and Chavez Ranch are among the few locations Oak Creek Canyon features.

“I like taking a six-pack down to the creek and lounging with some of my buddies,” said junior environmental studies major Jack Flaccus. “It’s cool to just surf down the water slots. I personally like to go down further to Chavez Ranch and do some rock hopping.”

In addition to Sedona’s trickling creek, Oak Creek Canyon features a series of alternative outdoor activities, such as various hiking trails and overnight campsites.

“It’s really fun to go creek fishing and fly fishing,” Acheson said. “You can go down to Sedona and Beaver Creek. While you’re down there, you can go fishing and hiking. You can do it all in one day. You can even camp if you want.”

A little off the beaten path, Clear Creek also serves as a tranquil watering hole. Clear Creek, located six miles east of Camp Verde, flows yearround, creating prolonged water-carved passageways equipped with extensive pools, waterfalls and springs. Though not as accessible as Oak Creek due to longer and more difficult hikes and rough roads, Clear Creek features multiple areas for overnight camping.

Upper Lake Mary, located 11 miles southeast of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road, provides patrons with a number of outdoor recreational activities. Boating, wakeboarding, fishing, camping and picnicking are a few of the outdoor leisure endeavors Lake Mary offers. Upper and Lower Lake Mary are stocked with a variety of fish including trout, channel catfish and bass.

“They just stocked the lake for the summer,” said senior construction management major Brian McLean. “Wakeboarding is also really popular. I know a lot of people who like to wakeboard at Lake Mary when it’s full.”

In addition to these hiking and fishing opportunities, Flagstaff also features four disc golf courses: McPherson Park, located north of the hospital; Thorpe Park, located downtown; Arizona Snowbowl, located seven miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 180; and NAU’s own disc golf course, located on campus off McConnell Drive. 

“Frisbee golf is huge in Flagstaff,” McClean said. “All the courses should be open by the first of May. McPherson Park is by far the best because of its location.”

For music lovers, Pine Mountain Amphitheater, located five miles south of Flagstaff near Ft. Tuthill County Park, is northern Arizona’s largest outdoor amphitheater. This outdoor venue offers a wide selection of concerts held throughout the summer. 

Pine Mountain Amphitheater’s summer calendar includes performers such as Queensryche on May 31, George Thorogood and The Destroyers on June 4, the Good Times Music Festival on June 13, The Neville Brothers on June 14, the Indigo Girls on July 9 and the Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass Festival on Sept. 19 and 20.

“Living in Flagstaff, you’re so close to so many aspects of outdoor activities,” Acheson said. “There’s the Grand Canyon and Havasupai falls. You can hike for 30 minutes, or you could hike for days. You can hike rim to rim, or you can raft down it if you want. There’s just so much to do around here; I could go on forever.”