Home › Arizona › Flagstaff › Picture Canyon Trailhead
Picture Canyon Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 325 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 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.
Easy trails to a waterfall in a canyon, plus petroglyphs and pictographs.
What runners say about Picture Canyon Trailhead
“Beautiful little stroll through nature; You can find an old stone pit house as well as some petroglyphs and a small waterfall which was pretty serene.”
“Beautiful little stroll through nature; You can find an old stone pit house as well as some petroglyphs and a small waterfall which was pretty serene.”
“Short easy trail with terrific petroglyphs, and a small canyon with a waterfall.”
Beautiful little hike. I got there just before nine and was perfect, there was only one other person there. The hike itself is very easy, though it does start off a bit strange. As others have mentioned, you’ll park near a water treatment center but your away from it quick enough. The waterfall area is so peaceful.
Very cute and scenic hiking around. We didn’t go too far along the trails because we couldn’t stay long but what we did see was nice. The trail is kid friendly and easy to walk along. There’s signs and a map to help you not get lost. We saw some small wildlife and other people walking their dogs.
Such a cute short hike to enjoy with my daughter. We loved it. Take the trail to the right if you want to hit the waterfall right away.
Beautiful little stroll through nature; You can find an old stone pit house as well as some petroglyphs and a small waterfall which was pretty serene. The parking area is fairly small unfortunately, however there is a porta potty on site at the trailhead.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful little stroll through nature; You can find an old stone pit house as well as some petroglyphs and a small waterfall which was pretty serene.”
“Unfortunately, the beginning of the trailhead is right next to the water treatment plant and the smell is really unpleasant, especially on a hot day.”
“Beautiful little stroll through nature; You can find an old stone pit house as well as some petroglyphs and a small waterfall which was pretty serene.”
“The parking area is fairly small unfortunately, however there is a porta potty on site at the trailhead.”
Plan your run at Picture Canyon Trailhead
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) 213-2000
- 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 Natural and Cultural Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 348 reviews
478-acre nature preserve featuring hiking, biking & horseback riding, plus wildlife & petroglyphs.
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.
Sandy Seep Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 84 reviews
Natural area with forested hiking trails that are suitable for families and dogs.
Buffalo Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,307 reviews
215-acre park offers a 2-mile hiking loop trail, picnicking space, wildlife & scenic mountain views.