Zipline and adventure course participants must be at least 12 years old. There is another adventure course for ages 7-11.
The ski season is over, but the Arizona Snowbowl is worth a visit in the summer for its beautiful chairlifts and other attractions.
In winter, the Arizona Gondola Chairlift carries skiers from 11,500 feet above sea level to see the San Francisco Peaks, other peaks, and the Ponderosa Pine Forest.
Gondolas operate during the day, and you can even ride the Sunset Gondola on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer.
Scenic chairlift tickets start at $18 during the day and $29 at sunset when purchased online in advance.
In addition to gondola rides, Snowbowl hosts summer activities at Agassiz Lodge such as bungee trampolines, tubing slopes, and rock climbing walls. The fee for each activity is $10. It costs $20 to access all three.
detail: Arizona Snowbowl, 9300 N. Snowbowl Road, Flagstaff. 928-779-1951, https://www.snowbowl.ski .
Flagstaff Arboretum: Wildflower Walk and Mountain Views
With trees and flowers thriving during the summer months, a visit to the Flagstaff Arboretum, surrounded by ponderosa pine forests against a backdrop of the San Francisco Mountains, provides an opportunity to appreciate the flora and fauna of northern Arizona.
The arboretum paths and gardens showcase the flora of the Colorado Plateau, including vibrant native wildflowers and rare and endangered species. Birds, squirrels and chipmunks may also be spotted.
The Arboretum has several special events planned for this summer, including guided morning bird walks on select Saturdays at 7:30am and , includes the First Friday Wildflower Walk scheduled at 9:30 am on September 1st. The event that kicks off National Pollinator Week, which includes sales of pollinator garden plants, is scheduled for June 18 from 10am to 2pm.
detail: Flagstaff Arboretum, 4001 S. Woody Mountain Road, Flagstaff. General admission starts at $12. Additional charges may apply for special events. 928-774-1442, https://thearb.org .
“Great jumble”: Trekking 800 miles to write a book about the best (and worst) of Arizona
Pride in the Pines: Party in the Park with Family and Friends
Flagstaff’s longstanding tradition of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, Pride in the Pines, takes place Saturday, June 17th. The event includes live entertainment throughout the day, an evening afterparty and, for the first time in the history of the event, a parade.
The celebration started as a small picnic in Fort Tuthill County Park and has evolved over time. It is now held downtown in Thorpe Park and attracts nearly 4,000 people each year.
The parade runs through downtown Flagstaff Saturday from 9am-11am. Headlined by R&B duo Nina Sky, the festival with entertainment at Thorpe Park runs from noon to 9pm. An afterparty featuring drag entertainers is scheduled for 9pm at the Orpheum Theater.
detail: Pride in the Pines at various locations in downtown Flagstaff. Parades are free. Festival admission at Thorpe Park is $20 in advance online and $25 at the gate. Free for children under 10 years old. The Orpheum Theater Afterparty is $14. 928-814-0076, https://flagstaffpride.org/pride-in-the-pines .
Heritage Festival: Celebrating Indigenous Culture
Another major summer event in Flagstaff is the Heritage Festival, held annually at the Museum of Northern Arizona, celebrating the region’s Indigenous culture. It will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 24th and 25th on the museum grounds.
According to the museum, the Akoma, Apache, Dine (Navajo), Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Pai, Ute, Yavapai and Zuni tribes will participate in the event, which includes traditional dance, music and dance. It is said that lectures by cultural experts will be included.
The Heritage Festival also includes a Native American art market and a flute workshop.
detail: Northern Arizona Museum, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. $20 per day. $25 both days. $10 a day for ages 10-17. $15 both days. Native American tickets are $10 on weekends. Children 9 and under are admitted free. 928-774-5213, https://musnaz.org .
