KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST

A vast greenway attracts outdoor adventurers to Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

The north and south rims of the Grand Canyon are surrounded by Kaibab National Forest, a scenic collection of prairies, plateaus and canyonlands. Grand Canyon National Park is the main draw, but getting there adds more opportunities to explore the forest’s natural wonders. Outdoor destinations here span the rugged area from the Mogollon Rim to the south nearly all the way to the Utah border to the north.

Enjoy Four Seasons

In this part of Northern Arizona, snow sports come into play. In this vast expanse of pristine Northern Arizona forests, snowmobile trails and paths worn in by cross-country skiers cut through the ponderosa pine forests that lead to the rims of the Grand Canyon. When the ground is not blanketed in snow, these same trails attract hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders in the spring and summer months. Summer is also fishing season here, with forest lakes near Williams open to anglers. When autumn arrives, aspens fill the area with yellow and orange fall-color displays.

Hike & Camp

Expect some serious climbing in this forest where the elevation changes from 3,000 feet to above 10,000 feet. Find dozens of trailheads for hikes and mountain bike rides throughout the forest or commit to a longer trek and backpack along a segment of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Many of the northern segments of the Arizona Trail pass through Kaibab National Forest, climbing through pine forests, crossing rim to rim through the Grand Canyon and reaching the plateaus north of the canyon. Camping at developed sites or dispersed sites throughout the forest is a popular warm-weather activity. Visitors also have the option of renting historic cabins within hiking distance to the south and north rims of the Grand Canyon.

Visit Williams

Make the historic railroad and lumber town of Williams home base during a getaway to Kaibab National Forest and the Grand Canyon. While in town, visit the historic motor lodges and vintage shops along a stretch of Route 66 to get a sense of the area’s rugged beginnings. The Grand Canyon Railway offers a unique way to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Ride the historic train through sections of Kaibab National Forest to see the canyon before riding the rails back to Williams.