The perfect getaway-off the beaten path just outside Flagstaff, Arizona.Abineau Lodge Bed and Breakfast | 1080 Mountainaire Rd | Flagstaff, AZ ----- Email Us
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Area Parks
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Wupatki National Monument
- Sunset Crater National Monument
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Montezuma Well
- Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
- Slide Rock State Park
- Red Rock State Park
- Navajo National Monument
Flagstaff, the Hub of Northern Arizona Outdoor Adventure, Sight Seeing and Archaeology
If you’re a first time visitor to Northern Arizona then the Grand Canyon National Park is clearly a “must see”. Just 75 miles to the north west of Flagstaff the Grand Canyon is considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. But the Grand Canyon is only one of many sights to see and things to do in the Flagstaff area. Here is a list of links, personal favorites and brief descriptions of some of the many recreational opportunities in Northern Arizona:
Hiking, Horseback Riding and Mountain Bike Trails
The Abineau Lodge is named for one of the owners’ favorite hikes in the San Francisco Peaks-the Abineau-Bear Jaw Trail. Less traveled than trails on the south and east of the Peaks this trail is demanding, has beautiful views and lots of wildlife. We’ve seen wild turkeys, elk, mule deer, hawks, and bear while hiking this trail.
- Trails in the Coconino Forest -Peaks District Want to hike to the top of Mount Humphreys, the highest point in all of Arizona? Or do some exhilarating down hill biking on the Schultz Creek Trail? Check out the hiking and biking trails around and in the San Francisco peaks just north of Flagstaff. Our personal favorite hiking trail is the Little Bear Trail on the North east flank of Mount Elden. It’s a great summer trail, cool and shady for most of it.
- Trails in the Coconino Forest- Mormon Lake District-To the south east of Flagstaff lies the Mormon Lake District of the Coconino Forest. Trails in this district are less well used and all have their own distinct charm. This is also the location of several lakes for boating and fishing. Personal favorite-Sandy’s Canyon Trail
- Trails in the Kaibab Forest - The Kaibab Forest is just to the west of Flagstaff and offers excellent hiking and biking in a less crowded area. Personal favorites are the Sycamore Rim trail and Keyhole Sink. When looking for trails in the Kaibab you can get to from Flagstaff, look at the Willliams District trails. The North Kaibab is on the other side of the Grand Canyon, about 4 hours away.
- Trails in the Coconino Forest-Sedona District- Red rock pillars, desert streams, and cowboy trails are some of the things you’ll see when hiking in the Sedona district.
- Northern Arizona Trail Rides- Less than a mile from our property you can experience guided outdoor rides in and around the Mountainaire area.
Archaeology, Native Culture and History
For those interested in ancient ruins, Native American culture, petroglyphs and western history the following are a few of the places to visit surrounding Flagstaff:
- Wupatki National Monument - A fascinating site that features an unusual ball court as well a natural ‘blow hole’ (35 minutes NE on 89A)
- Elden Pueblo - an ongoing excavation on the edge of Flagstaff in the Coconino National Forest (15 minutes NE on 89A)
- Walnut Canyon National Monument - cliff dwellings that you can hike to (15 minutes East on I-40)
- Tuzigoot National Monument- a hilltop Sinagua pueblo (1 hour SW on 89A)
- Montezuma Castle National Monument - one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America, built into a limestone wall (35 minutes South on I-17)
- Montezuma Well - A beautiful sink hole with natural springs that keep water in it all year round. This natural well is surrounded by ancient ruins and feeds an aqueduct used for plantings on the south side.
- Palatki and Honanki Ruins- Great hike, petroglyphs and ruins 40 minutes, SW on 89A, west side of Sedona
- V Bar V Ranch Rock Art-a Sinagua sandstone wall covered with extensive rock art just 25 minutes S on I17
- Keyhole Sink Trail - a short hike to a small box canyon with rock art, 30 minutes W on I40
- Museum of Northern Arizona- This is an excellent small museum with a focus on local archaeology, prehistoric creatures and geology. For its size its very impressive. During the summer the museum hosts various Native American arts and craft fairs. Check the website to see what is happening when you visit us.
- Hopi Lands-When visiting the Hopi reservation please be respectful and follow the rules. If you see a sign that says “no photographs” put the camera away.
- Navajo Lands- Link to the Navajo Nations official tourism site.
- Canyon de Chelly- Self guided or guided hikes into the Canyon yield a fascinating visit. Cliff dwellings on the walls of the canyon are amazing! Watch for nasty biting gnats in the summer!
Geology
If you are a geology buff or just interested in strange and fascinating geological features:- Red Mountain Trail 25 miles north of Flagstaff is an easy hike to a partially eroded red cinder cone. If you want to know what a “hoodoo” is click on the link!
- Sunset Crater National Monument- More cinder cones along with a lava tube are visible at this site just 25 minutes north east of Flagstaff.
- Museum of Northern Arizona
- Jerome Mining Community
- Meteor Crater
- Petrified Forest National Monument
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Sedona Red Rocks
Star Gazing
Star gazers and astronomers find Flagstaff to be one of the best in the west; it’s the first Dark Sky City in the US:
- Lowell Observatory
- The Naval Observatory
- Northern Arizona University Observatory
Rock Climbing Areas
If you are already a climber then you probably know about all the areas around Flagstaff for bouldering, traditional climbing and sport climbing. Your hostess started climbing in 1975 and hasn't stopped yet. Some of the better known are:
Traditional Areas
- The Overlook (Oak Creek Canyon)- Basalt cracks and face.
- Paradise Forks (Williams)- Some pure crack climbing on sharp basalt.
- West Elden (Flagstaff)-Dacite face and cracks
- Sedona Spires (Sedona)-Sandstone often of the soft variety.
Sport Areas
- The Pit-Limestone face climbing.
- Jack’s Canyon-Limestone face climbing.
Bouldering
- Priest Draw- Limestone (you can bike to this bouldering area from the Lodge!)
- Gloria’s Rocks-Dacite
- West Elden-Dacite
- The Balls, Williams-Granite
Lessons and Gyms
If you want to learn to climb contact Vertical Relief, Flagstaff’s indoor climbing gym in downtown.
In addition to all the well known attractions, we can send you off on some more adventurous site seeing- places you won’t find in most guide books. Turkey Tanks is an undeveloped site of ancient ruins just a few yards off the Leupp road - yet almost no one but locals go there. When water’s flowing in the Little Colorado you’ve got to go see Grand Falls, an adventure drive down dirt roads. An ice cave near Williams and the Lava Tube cave north of Flagstaff are a few other lesser known sites to see if you like getting away from the standard tourist spots.