Water and Fishing
Pond with fishing and walking trails near downtown Flagstaff. Located close to Thorpe Park and Lowell Observatory. 18-min drive.
Frances Short Pond
Pond with fishing and walking trails near downtown Flagstaff. Located close to Thorpe Park and Lowell Observatory. 18-min drive.
We love spending a day at Lake Mary swimming, playing in the sand, kayaking, fishing, or boating. Bathrooms and pavilions are available in day use area. $10/vehicle/day. 29-min drive.
Upper Lake Mary Boat Launch & Picnic Area
We love spending a day at Lake Mary swimming, playing in the sand, kayaking, fishing, or boating. Bathrooms and pavilions are available in day use area. $10/vehicle/day. 29-min drive.
Beautiful drive to a beautiful creek for all ages to enjoy. $10/vehicle/day. 1 hr 15 min drive.
52 locals recommend
Crescent Moon Picnic Site
333 Red Rock Crossing RdBeautiful drive to a beautiful creek for all ages to enjoy. $10/vehicle/day. 1 hr 15 min drive.
Wet Beaver Creek
Shady watering hole available for day use, about 1 hour from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Clear Creek Reservoir
A BEAUTIFUL place to hike, sight-see, and swim in Oak Creek Canyon. Arrive early because the parking lot closes when it fills up! 40 min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead
A BEAUTIFUL place to hike, sight-see, and swim in Oak Creek Canyon. Arrive early because the parking lot closes when it fills up! 40 min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
National Parks & Monuments
You can't visit Arizona without seeing the Grand Canyon! South Rim can be accessed by heading north toward Cameron (1 hr 11 min) or by heading south toward Williams (1 hr 36 min). You may enter one way and exit the other for added views! $35/vehicle for a 7-day pass.
12 locals recommend
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
450 AZ-64You can't visit Arizona without seeing the Grand Canyon! South Rim can be accessed by heading north toward Cameron (1 hr 11 min) or by heading south toward Williams (1 hr 36 min). You may enter one way and exit the other for added views! $35/vehicle for a 7-day pass.
Incredible views on a paved walking trail overlooking canyon and ancient ruins. Over 240 concrete steps on Island Trail, or look down in from the stroller and wheelchair-accessible Rim Trail. Keep small children close and carry babies in pack (can sometimes be borrowed at visitor’s center). $25 per private vehicle for 7-day pass to Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, and Wupatki monuments. 17 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
230 locals recommend
Walnut Canyon National Monument
3 Walnut Canyon RoadIncredible views on a paved walking trail overlooking canyon and ancient ruins. Over 240 concrete steps on Island Trail, or look down in from the stroller and wheelchair-accessible Rim Trail. Keep small children close and carry babies in pack (can sometimes be borrowed at visitor’s center). $25 per private vehicle for 7-day pass to Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, and Wupatki monuments. 17 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Witness the grandeur of cooled lava flow by driving through and/or walking a series of short trails in this National Monument. 15-min drive
161 locals recommend
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Witness the grandeur of cooled lava flow by driving through and/or walking a series of short trails in this National Monument. 15-min drive
Continue down the road from Sunset Crater to see the Wupatki ruins. 21-min drive
143 locals recommend
Wupatki National Monument
25137 North Wupatki LaneContinue down the road from Sunset Crater to see the Wupatki ruins. 21-min drive
Sightseeing
Souvenirs, brochures, and information for your visit to Flagstaff, with an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter! 18 min drive in Downtown Flagstaff.
41 locals recommend
Flagstaff Visitor Center
1 E Rte 66Souvenirs, brochures, and information for your visit to Flagstaff, with an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter! 18 min drive in Downtown Flagstaff.
Venture to the big hole left by a crater and discovered in 1891. Visitor’s center has gift shop, 3D video, and rim tours. See website for hours and ticket prices. 44 min drive.
101 locals recommend
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
233Venture to the big hole left by a crater and discovered in 1891. Visitor’s center has gift shop, 3D video, and rim tours. See website for hours and ticket prices. 44 min drive.
***CURRENTLY CLOSED***
AKA "Chocolate Falls" is a muddy waterfall in the middle of the desert flowing for a couple months of the year. 50 min drive.
28 locals recommend
Grand Falls, Arizona
***CURRENTLY CLOSED***
AKA "Chocolate Falls" is a muddy waterfall in the middle of the desert flowing for a couple months of the year. 50 min drive.
Food Scene
Our favorite local restaurants
Restaurant nearby with tasty pizza, pasta, salad, and wings. Free kids’ scoop of ice cream with purchase! Locally owned. Delivery available. Order online for discounts. 4-min drive.
Pizza Edge
7810 U.S. 89Restaurant nearby with tasty pizza, pasta, salad, and wings. Free kids’ scoop of ice cream with purchase! Locally owned. Delivery available. Order online for discounts. 4-min drive.
Tasty breakfast burritos and other Mexican food. Drive-thru or dine-in. 8 min from Oak Ranch.
40 locals recommend
Tacos Los Altos
3650 E Rte 66Tasty breakfast burritos and other Mexican food. Drive-thru or dine-in. 8 min from Oak Ranch.
Delicious brunch/lunch menu including sandwiches and tasty sweet potato fries. Closes at 3 pm. 13-min drive.
99 locals recommend
Brandy's Restaurant & Bakery
1500 E Cedar AveDelicious brunch/lunch menu including sandwiches and tasty sweet potato fries. Closes at 3 pm. 13-min drive.
Great Mexican food and inviting atmosphere. Next to Fat Olives, 11-min drive.
100 locals recommend
Salsa Brava
2220 E Rte 66Great Mexican food and inviting atmosphere. Next to Fat Olives, 11-min drive.
Authentic pizza al forno and pasta. Next to Salsa Brava, 11-min drive.
136 locals recommend
Fat Olives
2308 E Rte 66Authentic pizza al forno and pasta. Next to Salsa Brava, 11-min drive.
My favorite pasty is The Chicken Greek. Pavlova is also to-die-for! Rogue atmosphere and bar if you’re into that. If not, takeout is also available. Located downtown, 18 minutes from Oak Ranch Cottage.
21 locals recommend
Cornish Pasty Co
26 S San Francisco StMy favorite pasty is The Chicken Greek. Pavlova is also to-die-for! Rogue atmosphere and bar if you’re into that. If not, takeout is also available. Located downtown, 18 minutes from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Delicious food and an extra fun surprise if you mention it’s your birthday. Fun and inviting atmosphere. Seating is limited so aim for a less-popular time of day. If you end up having to wait— it’s worth it! The only menu item we don’t recommend is the tostada. 12 min. drive from the Cottage.
23 locals recommend
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
2004 W Historic Rte 66Delicious food and an extra fun surprise if you mention it’s your birthday. Fun and inviting atmosphere. Seating is limited so aim for a less-popular time of day. If you end up having to wait— it’s worth it! The only menu item we don’t recommend is the tostada. 12 min. drive from the Cottage.
Tasty food in a fun and open atmosphere located in the Country Club golf course. Indoor and outdoor seating. No reservations needed because there is a lot of seating available. My favorite dish is a huge spicy Cajun pasta (split or save half for later) or the Sonoma Chicken. Whipped feta is a fun side dish. 12-min drive.
50 locals recommend
The Oakmont - A Great Neighborhood Restaurant
2380 N Oakmont DrTasty food in a fun and open atmosphere located in the Country Club golf course. Indoor and outdoor seating. No reservations needed because there is a lot of seating available. My favorite dish is a huge spicy Cajun pasta (split or save half for later) or the Sonoma Chicken. Whipped feta is a fun side dish. 12-min drive.
Delicious food in a fun atmosphere downtown. Known for their burritos and chilaquiles but we enjoy the chimichanga as well. 17 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
205 locals recommend
MartAnnes Burrito Palace
112 E Rte 66Delicious food in a fun atmosphere downtown. Known for their burritos and chilaquiles but we enjoy the chimichanga as well. 17 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Small local dine-in restaurant offering crispy fries cooked to perfection, tasty burgers, and other American food. We skip the cheese (it’s processed) but other items are quality and delicious. 9-min drive.
Miz Zip's
2924 E Rte 66Small local dine-in restaurant offering crispy fries cooked to perfection, tasty burgers, and other American food. We skip the cheese (it’s processed) but other items are quality and delicious. 9-min drive.
Quality burgers on English muffin buns with seasoned fries. Located in trendy atmosphere downtown with indoor and outdoor dining. Paid street parking. 15-min drive.
194 locals recommend
Diablo Burger
120 N Leroux StQuality burgers on English muffin buns with seasoned fries. Located in trendy atmosphere downtown with indoor and outdoor dining. Paid street parking. 15-min drive.
The only non-local restaurant on our guidebook because the Santa Barbara Char is just TOO GOOD. Paired with tempura green beans, this is one of our favorite meals for under $15 (and it’s big enough to share)! 17 min away.
The Habit Burger Grill
1400 S Milton RdThe only non-local restaurant on our guidebook because the Santa Barbara Char is just TOO GOOD. Paired with tempura green beans, this is one of our favorite meals for under $15 (and it’s big enough to share)! 17 min away.
Pato Thai provides tasty Thai food and lunch specials. Parking can be tricky since it’s located downtown, but it is well worth the walk! Located 15 min. from Oak Ranch Cottage.
134 locals recommend
Pato Thai Cuisine
20 E Rte 66Pato Thai provides tasty Thai food and lunch specials. Parking can be tricky since it’s located downtown, but it is well worth the walk! Located 15 min. from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Fine dining with indoor and outdoor seating. 16-min drive.
122 locals recommend
Josephine's Modern American Bistro
503 N Humphreys StFine dining with indoor and outdoor seating. 16-min drive.
Lucy's Burgers
Located in Flagstaff Mall food court, just 8 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Recently reopened as “Mama B’s”, offers delicious home-town burgers and shakes! 18-min drive.
55 locals recommend
Mama Burger
991 N Fort Valley RdRecently reopened as “Mama B’s”, offers delicious home-town burgers and shakes! 18-min drive.
Quality pizza with 3 locations in Flagstaff. Eastside location is 10 min from the cottage.
6 locals recommend
NiMarco's Pizza
3715 N Kaspar DrQuality pizza with 3 locations in Flagstaff. Eastside location is 10 min from the cottage.
Quality pizza with 3 locations in Flagstaff. East location is a 10-min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Fratelli Pizza
Quality pizza with 3 locations in Flagstaff. East location is a 10-min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Convenience Stores Closeby
Several larger grocery stores and amenities are available in town but these are the closest stores to grab those last-minute items!
Silver Saddle Store often has the cheapest gasoline in town and is walking-distance from Oak Ranch Cottage. Store has slushees, souvenirs and other trinkets, and USPS shipping services. 2-min drive or 10-min walk.
Silver Saddle Trading Post
9001 US-89Silver Saddle Store often has the cheapest gasoline in town and is walking-distance from Oak Ranch Cottage. Store has slushees, souvenirs and other trinkets, and USPS shipping services. 2-min drive or 10-min walk.
Dollar General has items to meet your last-minute needs: clothing, medications, a toothbrush, or food to prepare a meal. 3-min drive.
Dollar General
7925 US-89Dollar General has items to meet your last-minute needs: clothing, medications, a toothbrush, or food to prepare a meal. 3-min drive.
Local Parks
Places to play for all ages.
The closest park to Oak Ranch Cottage. Spacious turf soccer fields, baseball diamond, playground, dirt walking trail, and horse arena. Tip: bring water— fountain is hard to find and may not work. 5-min drive from Oak Ranch.
Peaks View County Park
8805 Koch Field RdThe closest park to Oak Ranch Cottage. Spacious turf soccer fields, baseball diamond, playground, dirt walking trail, and horse arena. Tip: bring water— fountain is hard to find and may not work. 5-min drive from Oak Ranch.
A small neighborhood park located 6 min from the Cottage. Tip: Go before you go! No bathrooms or other facilities available.
Smoke Rise Park
A small neighborhood park located 6 min from the Cottage. Tip: Go before you go! No bathrooms or other facilities available.
Paved walking path (also leads to Flagstaff Urban Trail System), ball fields, skate park, large grass area, and playground for children. 14-min drive.
7 locals recommend
Foxglenn Park
4200 E Butler AvePaved walking path (also leads to Flagstaff Urban Trail System), ball fields, skate park, large grass area, and playground for children. 14-min drive.
Near Downtown with playground, musical play area, tennis courts, and baseball fields further down the road. Close to Frances Short Pond. 20-min drive.
30 locals recommend
Thorpe Park Center
191 N Thorpe RdNear Downtown with playground, musical play area, tennis courts, and baseball fields further down the road. Close to Frances Short Pond. 20-min drive.
Dog park, skate park, and two different play areas (“new” side with zip line and spinning toys and “old” side with more traditional swings and slides). Tip: For safety reasons, we don’t recommend staying at this park after dark. 10-min drive.
31 locals recommend
Bushmaster Park
3150 N Alta Vista DrDog park, skate park, and two different play areas (“new” side with zip line and spinning toys and “old” side with more traditional swings and slides). Tip: For safety reasons, we don’t recommend staying at this park after dark. 10-min drive.
Hiking Trailheads
We love to hike! We’ve been hiking Flagstaff for 9 years and have barely made a dent in the trailheads available. We have a Kelty hiking backpack if you need to take Baby/Toddler along!
One of our favorite and most-frequently-visited hikes. Family-friendly, with lava caves to explore and incredible views of Doney Park at the top. 2 miles round-trip. Can get steep but is not technical. Keep an eye on small children near the top due to abundant cave openings. 3 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Old Caves Crater Trailhead
8980 Silver Valley RoadOne of our favorite and most-frequently-visited hikes. Family-friendly, with lava caves to explore and incredible views of Doney Park at the top. 2 miles round-trip. Can get steep but is not technical. Keep an eye on small children near the top due to abundant cave openings. 3 min from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Fatman's Loop Trail
5098 US-89Walking trail a 6-min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage
Trailhead great for hiking and mountain biking at the foot of Mt Elden. 7-min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
10 locals recommend
Sandy Seep Trailhead
Trailhead great for hiking and mountain biking at the foot of Mt Elden. 7-min drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
Five loop trails for hiking or mountain biking, the longest being 5.7 miles and the shortest being 2.7 miles. 13-minute drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
23 locals recommend
Campbell Mesa Loop Trails
Forest Service Road 790Five loop trails for hiking or mountain biking, the longest being 5.7 miles and the shortest being 2.7 miles. 13-minute drive from Oak Ranch Cottage.
A great location for hiking, jogging, or biking. Exercise stations throughout. Stroller-friendly depending on weather conditions. 15 min drive.
129 locals recommend
Buffalo Park
2400 N Gemini RdA great location for hiking, jogging, or biking. Exercise stations throughout. Stroller-friendly depending on weather conditions. 15 min drive.
Flagstaff Urban Trail