While Arizona is known for its dry desert vistas, Flagstaff experiences a full range of seasonal weather—that means blankets of snow in the winter, vibrant blooms in the spring, sunny days in the summer, and beautiful changing leaves in the fall. If you’re looking to take an autumnal retreat this fall season, Flagstaff is the perfect destination!
Add stargazing to your list of amazing things to do during your fall trip to Northern Arizona! On this page, you will find out how to get the best leaf-watching and stargazing out of your trip.
Duration
45 minutes
When
October 28 - 31
6:30pm - 7:15pm 8:00pm - 8:45pm
Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky named after the vain queen Cassiopeia, mother of Andromeda, in Greek mythology, who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. To spot her in the sky, look for a ‘W’ shape ascending in the northeast after nightfall.
The constellation Pisces is easiest to see in October and November, or on late evenings in September. Because its stars are relatively dim, Pisces is most visible in a dark country sky. The constellation Pisces is part of a larger grouping of Pegasus, Andromeda, Aries, and Triangulum. It is also near Aquarius.
Aquarius is best seen in the evening sky during a Northern Hemisphere autumn or Southern Hemisphere spring. It’s just to the east of another zodiacal constellation, Capricornus. You can also use the Great Square of Pegasus to guide you toward Aquarius.
To find Andromeda, first look for the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia in the northern part of the sky. Andromeda is located directly next to Cassiopeia, and is also connected to a boxy shape of stars that make up the constellation Pegasus.
Aries is located in the Northern Hemisphere between Pisces to its west and Taurus to its east. The best view of Aries occurs on December nights around 9 p.m. local time. Alpha, Beta and Gamma Arietis are the three brightest stars within the Aries constellation.
To locate Perseus, look to the north, where Cassiopeia forms a bright “W” or “M” (depending on its orientation). If Cassiopeia resembles a “W,” Perseus will be the group of stars below the left part of the zig-zag. If Cassiopeia resembles an “M,” Perseus will be the group of stars below the right part of the zig-zag.
Look east just after dark for the Great Square of Pegasus around the time of the September equinox (which will occur on Thursday, Sept. 22 this year). Throughout late September and October evenings, the Great Square will be ascending in the eastern evening sky.
Cetus is easy to find as it is quite large and lies in a region of the sky lacking many stars. Cetus can be found most easily rising just above the eastern horizon in the fall and winter. The constellation is found just west of Taurus the Bull and East of Aquarius.
The constellation of Cepheus is bordered by the constellations Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Draco, Lacerta, and Ursa Minor. To find Cepheus, carry out a naked-eye search for its asterism. The five stars in the ‘house’ are Errai, Alfirk, Alderamin, Delta Cephei, and Iota Cephei.
Use Discover Flagstaff’s virtual LEAF-ometer to check on the changing fall colors around Flagstaff throughout the autumn season! Whether you’re planning a scenic hike or a seasonal photo session, the LEAF-ometer will keep you updated on what kinds of fall colors to expect.
You can also visit DiscoverFlagstaff.com to see beautiful photos taken in various locations around Flagstaff and surrounding areas for an accurate foliage forecast.
Daily
Arizona Snowbowl
10 AM – 4 PM.
Take in the dramatic scenery of Northern Arizona from a bird’s eye view on the Arizona Gondola.
As the lift travels up to 11,500 feet, you can see the cinder cone volcanic field, the red rocks in Sedona, and as far as the Grand Canyon on a clear day. The gondola ride offers great opportunities for photography, observing skiers and snowboarders, or just enjoying the fresh air and expansive views from the San Francisco Peaks.
Every Sunday until October 30
Flagstaff City Hall
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
The freshest in regional fruits, vegetables, honey, baked goods, fresh flowers, tamales, jams, breads and more at City Hall on Sunday mornings.
Sunday, October 23, 2022
NAU’s Ardrey Memorial Auditorium
3:00 pm
The NAU School of Music presents the Fall Festival of Choirs Concert featuring a variety of historic, contemporary and multicultural choral works performed by NAU’s various student ensembles.
Friday, October 28
Dark Sky Brewing
3:00 – 6:00 pm
Come care the pumpkins that will make The Arb Pumpkin Walk shine! Carving is free for the while family while supplies last!
October 29, 2022
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
4:00 – 8:00 pm
Old-fashioned Carnival Games, Spooky stories & Face-Painting, Halloween fun from Tynkertopia, 100’s of lit Jack-o-Lanterns, Beer from Dark Sky and Historic, Dinner from Hatcher Shack Bar-B-Q, Community Organizations, Music from Lady Beard.
To experience the fall colors at their finest, hit the hiking trails and climb to 8,000 feet in elevation; where large stands of aspen trees steal the show with their quaking leaves glowing like liquid sunshine.
To find out when the leaves will be changing, check the Flagstaff LEAF-ometer to see color ranges for different regions throughout Flagstaff. A scenic drive is a great way to see the fall colors, and so is a glorious autumn hike.
