Home › Arizona › Flagstaff › Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve
Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 348 Google reviews · Running trail in Flagstaff, Arizona · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve'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.
478-acre nature preserve featuring hiking, biking & horseback riding, plus wildlife & petroglyphs.
What runners say about Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve
“Please keep it clean as you walk there; wildlife everywhere.”
“After you get past the smell of the Biden administration, picturesque views and gentle elevation changes are in store for your outdoor pleasure.”
“You feel like your way out, but it's in the city limits yet quiet for the most part.”
“Easy hikes to both sides of the small canyon.”
After you get past the smell of the Biden administration, picturesque views and gentle elevation changes are in store for your outdoor pleasure. To get to the waterfall and pictographs turn RIGHT at the first fork in the road after semi circle of signs. The waterfall is a nice short hike.
Enjoyable simple hike that is a bit of a hidden gem relative to other nearby National Monuments and Parks. The parking lot is super small and there is no bathroom. Very peaceful and beautiful place.
Was a fun hike for the family. My son loved seeing the waterfall. Can’t wait to take my dog up on the next hike over there! Was lots of little wildlife to notate and a few good little picnic or snack spots to enjoy the day.
Beautiful trails. Several different trail options according to how skilled and how long you want to hike. Mild to moderate incline. Well maintained trail system. Fairly well signed. The petroglyphs are well preserved
Trail conditions & character
“After you get past the smell of the Biden administration, picturesque views and gentle elevation changes are in store for your outdoor pleasure.”
“It was quite weird driving in as they look like to be a water reclamation area and active minds or compost piles before you actually hit the parking area.”
“This place is free to enjoy and has a porta-john at the trailhead.”
“You feel like your way out, but it's in the city limits yet quiet for the most part.”
“After you get past the smell of the Biden administration, picturesque views and gentle elevation changes are in store for your outdoor pleasure.”
“We went from Tom Moody Loop to Don Weaver Trail to view the petroglyphs.”
“It was probably estimated 3 miles or so of walking roundtrip with mostly flat ground and a short descent nearer to the petroglyphs.”
Plan your run at Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websiteflagstaff.az.gov
- Phone(928) 213-2300
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Flagstaff
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Picture Canyon Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 325 reviews
Easy trails to a waterfall in a canyon, plus petroglyphs and pictographs.
Sandy Seep Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 84 reviews
Natural area with forested hiking trails that are suitable for families and dogs.
Fatmans Loop Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 681 reviews
Walking trail featuring scenic overlooks with city views, volcanic rock formations & more.
Mt Elden Lookout Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 156 reviews
This trail leads up to the summit of Mt. Elden & offers views of the city & surrounding area.
Arizona Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 13 reviews