Home › Arizona › Flagstaff › Inner Basin Trailhead
Inner Basin Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 157 Google reviews · Running trail in Flagstaff, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 10 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Inner Basin Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Inner Basin Trailhead
“I live in Phoenix, so to be able to come escape the heat in some beautiful shade, with beautiful tall trees and just smell fresh air.”
If you are heading to see the aspens during the fall, this is a must see…. Definitely worth the hike but do note from the parking lot it is a good 1-1.5 hrs just to get to the trail head and another 20-30mins to the scenic aspens. Don’t expect to get out of the car and go around a couple of bends and you are there.
Wow. Just wow. I live in Phoenix, so to be able to come escape the heat in some beautiful shade, with beautiful tall trees and just smell fresh air. Amazing. Very well marked trail that isn't TOO busy. Not much more I could ask for.
This is one of the best hikes in Arizona- and everyone knows it, so it'll be popular and busy on summer weekends and especially during the fall aspen season. Uses are tightly restricted (bikes, dogs, camping, etc.), so read the rules carefully and follow them.
Went last weekend, already yellow. Loved it but definitely challenging as there is no car access to get to trail, I was able to beat the crowds by going really early, saw the sunrise on the way to the trail about 3 miles then got to the beautiful enchanted forest with yellow trees in this season.
Trail conditions & character
“I live in Phoenix, so to be able to come escape the heat in some beautiful shade, with beautiful tall trees and just smell fresh air.”
“The trailhead for Inner Basin trail (pick up sticks) is in the burn scar but the meadow escaped the fire and most of the trail is still in great shape.”
“The middle stretch through the aspens is steep but the path is level and footing is sure.”
“The middle stretch through the aspens is steep but the path is level and footing is sure.”
“It's an easy trail but is a 10 mile walk so be prepared with electrolytes.”
Plan your run at Inner Basin Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance10 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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