Flagstaff FAQs

Flagstaff, AZ originally started as a lumber mill town along the railway. That’s why Northern Arizona University’s (one of the three Arizona state universities) mascot is the Lumberjack!

Unlike many of the known neighboring cities in Arizona, Flagstaff gets four full seasons and prides itself on its thriving, outdoor, mountain-town culture. With an elevation of 6,909 ft (2,105 meters), Flagstaff not only has cool summer weather and winter snow that extends sporadically into late spring, but its location high above much of the surrounding terrain makes it prone to windy conditions throughout much of the year. But no matter what time of year it is or the temperature, Flagstaff still offers the benefit of basking in the bright, Arizona sunshine about 270 days each year. There’s a joke among locals said to visitors…"Do you not like the weather right now? Give it fifteen minutes!"

What is the Elevation of Flagstaff?

Elevation of Flagstaff: 6,909 feet above sea level (2,105 meters)

Elevation of San Francisco Peaks: Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (3,851 meters). Following in elevation are the three other major peaks–Agassiz (12,360 feet, 3156 meters), Fremont (1,1969 feet , 3648 meters, and Doyle (11,464 feet 3,494 meters).

Getting elevation sickness at this altitude is not uncommon. Be sure to hydrate before recreating at this elevation. Common signs of elevation sickness include headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Does Flagstaff have snow?

Yes. Because of its high elevation, Flagstaff enjoys four full seasons including snow in the winter and early spring. Flagstaff is home to the popular ski resort, Arizona Snowbowl, that is open late-November into mid-June some years. Most of Flagstaff's snow falls in the spring (Feb-Mar), with an average of 77 inches of snow per year in town, and about 126 inches up at the ski resort.

What is the population of Flagstaff?

Flagstaff Population: 76,831 (April 1, 2020U.S. Census Bureau Data)

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Flagstaff, AZ

White (Non-Hispanic) (64.5%)

White (Hispanic) (13.8%)

American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (6.97%)

Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.08%)

Other (Hispanic) (3.17%)

How Does Flagstaff Vote?

In 2020 Presidential and Senate elections, Flagstaff voted appprox 64% Democrat and 36% Republican.

What is Flagstaff famous for?

Have you ever wondered why Flagstaff is so dark? Flagstaff is the First International Dark Sky City. As home to Lowell Observatory and the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, has long been a leader in outdoor lighting policy, enacting the world's first outdoor lighting ordinance in 1958. The city of Flagstaff has exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky.

Flagstaff is a Gateway city to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Of the 6 million+ visitors who plan a trip to the Grand Canyon every year, about 78.8% (4.7 million) of them get accommodations in Flagstaff and over 5 million Grand Canyon visitors make Flagstaff their base for exploring the area.

Flagstaff is a college town and home to Northern Arizona University (NAU). Though the permanent resident population of flagstaff is 76,831, NAU students make up an additional 25,000 residents for a little over 9 months of each year.

What indigenous tribes are located near Flagstaff?

The Hopi and Navajo tribes are the two main Native American tribes near Flagstaff. The Navajo Nation is a territory covering about 17,544,500 acres ( 27,413 sq mi), in portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. This is the largest land area retained by an indigenous tribe in the United States. The Hopi's tribal land is surrounded entirely by the Navajo Nation, in Navajo and Coconino counties of Arizona. The site in north-eastern Arizona has a land area of 2,531.773 sq mi. These are two distinctly different tribes with their own culture, values, language, beliefs and way of living.

What is the Weather Like in Flagstaff?

Average Annual Days of Sunshine: 161 full days of sunshine, 101 partly cloudy (40-70% cloud cover, 103 cloudy days (80-100% cloud cover)

Average Annual Precipitation: 22.96 inches (58.32 cm)

Average Annual Snowfall: 108.8 inches (276.35 cm)

Average monthly temperatures

MONTH	HIGH/LOW (°F)	RAIN	SNOW
January	44°/16°	5 days	22.5 in.
February	47°/19°	5 days	22.2 in.
March	53°/23°	6 days	21.9 in.
April	60°/27°	3 days	6.7 in.
May	68°/34°	3 days	0.6 in.
June	80°/43°	1 day	0
July	82°/52°	8 days	0
August	79°/50°	9 days	0
September	74°/42°	5 days	0
October	63°/32°	4 days	1.2 in.
November	53°/23°	3 days	10.6 in.
December	44°/17°	5 days	17.9 in.

Data from: Noaa.gov

Cabins & Yurts At AZ Nordic Village

Stay in a yurt or cabin at the AZ Nordic Village, a premier outdoor recreation destination just north of Flagstaff. Perfectly situated in the cool pine and aspen forests at 8,000 ft of elevation between Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park, the Village offers rustic cabin and yurt rentals year-round, and summer campsites that are RV-friendly. Frontcountry yurts and cabins are available for those seeking easy access, and five backcountry yurts offer solitude and natural settings with more comforts than a typical backpacking adventure. Many miles of hiking and biking trails leave right from the Village, and there are numerous other activities nearby, including the Lava River Cave, Red Mountain, Arizona Snowbowl, the Arizona National Scenic Trail, and many other hiking and biking trails.

In the winter season, the Arizona Nordic Village hosts a groomed trail system for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and fatbiking. Over 20 miles of trails offer opportunities for everybody to have a winter adventure!