What Is The Best Hiking Trail In Flagstaff Arizona? | A Photographer's Opinion
The Best Hiking Trail in Flagstaff, Arizona: The Inner Basin Trail
When it comes to hiking in the mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona, there’s no shortage of stunning forested trails. But if I had to pick just one as the best or my favorite, it would hands down be the Inner Basin Trail in the Coconino National Forest. And with out a doubt the fall season when the Aspen leaves turn to shimmering gold is my absolute favorite time to hike this moderately challenging trail. In my opinion, this trail winds through one of the most beautiful and perfectly formed Aspen forests in the American Southwest as it leads into the inner basin of the iconic and towering San Francisco Peaks.
However, some recent events have made access to this popular trail a little more challenging which I will share later in this post.
Location And Access:
The Inner Basin Trail is located in the stunning Lockett Meadow (see photos below) in the Coconino National Forest North of the city of Flagstaff. To get there, drive north on U.S. Route 89 from Flagstaff for about 12 miles until you reach Forest Road 552 which is directly across from the paved entrance to the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument entrance. So if you a re heading North you will need to turn left and cross the highway to enter the un-paved (and occasionally very rugged) FR 552 and follow the signs to the Lockett Meadow Campground, where the trailhead is located. I’ve seen passenger vehicles negotiate this occasionally very steep and bumpy forest road successfully, but I would definitely recommend a high clearance and 4 WD vehicle or truck.
Recent Access Challenge:
Unfortunately, vehicle access to the Inner Basin Trailhead in Lockett Meadow is currently closed due to the major Pipeline Fire that happened back in 2022. However, the Inner Basin Trail is still open, but you now have to hike an additional 3 miles just to reach the trailhead making your adventure considerably longer. I have searched to find some news about when the access road might potentially reopen to vehicles, but was unable to find anything. With the never ending and chronic underfunding of our National park system and forest service, Im guessing it could be a few years before the access road is open again which is a shame.
The Trailhead:
The trailhead itself starts behind Lockett Meadow, which also hosts a fairly small but beautiful campground. There are adequate restrooms and designated parking areas for day visitors and hikers . It should be noted that the parking areas near the trailhead traditionally can fill up very fast particularly in the very popular fall season forcing visitors to park along the gravel access road that runs through Lockett meadow and parallel to some of the campsites.
According to Coconino National forest website , from the trailhead sign its about 2 miles one way to reach the Inner Basin with a starting elevations of 8,650 feet and ending at about 9,800 feet at the pump house (see photo below) in the inner basin meadow. So its approximately a 1, 200 feet elevation gain.
How Hard Is The Inner Basin Hike?
The hike itself is rated as moderately challenging with no very serious inclines are technical aspects or challenges to negotiate. I personally don’t find it particularly hard hike. The biggest challenge in my view is the elevation of the trail which starts 8.6k elevation and ends at nearly 10k. This is particularly true if you are not fit or acclimatized to the higher elevations surrounding the Flagstaff area.
Altitude sickness is no fun. If you are driving up from the Phoenix area for example to do this as a day hike be prepared for the possible effects of the altitude difference. I have recommended to less fit friends and family that staying over night in the Flagstaff area or nearby campground to get a little acclimatized the day before could make a big difference and ultimately set the stage for a more enjoyable outdoor experience.
Best Time To Hike The Inner Basin Trail?
Other than Winter when the access road to Lockett Meadow is generally closed because of Ice and snow, I have hiked this trail many times during the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons over the last 20 years. But as you will hopefully see why from some of my images below, the Fall season is my absolute favorite time to hike up the Inner Basin trail. The vast Aspen tree forest that this trail winds up and through is truly a stunning sight when the Aspen leaves start tuning brilliant gold starting generally in mid September. If I had to pick a week to catch the peak fall colors, I would say the first week of October has always been the most reliable. But the timing of peak colors can vary from year to year depending on the weather.
I would not discourage you from hiking this trail in late Spring or Summer. In late Spring there is always a good chance the San Francisco Peaks will still be snow covered which adds to the alure and provides a dramatic backdrop to the hike.
During the Summer months there could also be an explosion of beautiful wildflowers in the high altitude meadows. The crisp and cool mountain air will also provide a welcome relief from the summer heat if you live in the desert in the Phoenix and Tucson area.
Tips for Hiking the Inner Basin Trail:
Be prepared for the high elevations of this hike! At 9,000 feet there is about 25% less oxygen than at sea level. Spending a day getting acclimatized before this hike can make a noticeable difference.
Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated- especially if you’re not acclimated to the altitude.
Bring layers! Even in warmer months, it can get chilly at higher elevations. At 9k elevation, it can easily be 25 to 30 degrees cooler than temps in the Phoenix area. Always check the weather forecast. Mountain weather can always change rapidly.
Start early to beat the afternoon thunderstorms that are common in the Summer monsoon season.
Plan your hike for a weekday hike if possible. This trail is popular even with the locals…
Respect the forest — stay on the trail to protect the delicate sub-alpine environment.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an Arizona resident or a visitor just passing through, the Inner Basin Trail is a must-hike — a place where nature’s beauty is on full, breathtaking display. As noted earlier access to this trail is currently more challenging with the closing of the forest road to motorized traffic that leads to Locket meadow where the trailhead is located.
Short Video: Be sure to watch the short video at bottom of the post of fall scenery along the Inner Basin Trail on a very windy day in the San Francisco Peaks.
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The Inner Basin trailhead is tucked away behind Lockett Meadow. See arrow on image.
Soaring Aspen trees along the trail displaying fall colors in early October.
The trailhead..
The beginning section of the trail starts out fairly level before it starts to moderately wind and weave up into the vast Aspen forests.
Stately Aspen trees are ever present along the Inner Basin Trail and make for great photography subjects particularly in the Fall season.
You would have to try really hard to get lost on this trail as its clearly marked and well defined.
I would say about ¾ of the trail is shaded curtesy of dense Quaking Aspen tree stands. The trail itself is usually in good shape with some moderate inclines and switchbacks to contend with that wind through the forest.
It can get very windy up in the San Francisco Peaks that top out at an elevation of approximately 12,600 feet. This Aspen was a casualty of a wind storm and was blocking this part of the trail which is also a forest road that is not open to the public for vehicles.
In this photo I am about ½ mile or so from where the trail dead ends in the big Aspen ringed meadow that’s considered the Inner Basin of this ancient and extinct Volcano. Geologists believe the Volcano may have soared over 16,000 feet in elevation before exploding a couple hundred thousand years ago. It should be noted that even a moderate trail incline like what you see in the this photo can be taxing because of the elevation.
This is the beautiful Aspen ringed meadow where the trail ends at nearly 10,000 feet elevation. These buildings are part of water well system operated by the city of Flagstaff. This beautiful meadow is the perfect setting to take a lunch break and relax before heading back down the trail.
Sign on one of the well or pumphouses buildings in the Inner basin meadow.
This is a short video I created from a fall hike on the Inner basin trail back in 2019. The wind had to be gusting easily over 40 miles an hour that morning!