Scenic Serenity of Snowflake, Arizona

By AZ Leisure Staff Writers

Snowflake, Arizona is a welcoming small town in northeastern Arizona known for historic charm, wide-open landscapes and easy access to the White Mountains region. Located along Highway 77 between Holbrook, Show Low and the Mogollon Rim country, Snowflake offers a quieter alternative to larger mountain destinations while still providing convenient access to forests, lakes, hiking and scenic drives. Visitors enjoy the town’s pioneer heritage, friendly atmosphere and four-season weather that brings warm summers and cool winter nights.

Snowflake Area Map

Located in the tranquil foothills of Arizona’s White Mountains Range, Snowflake offers travelers a charming stay in close proximity to many of the state’s most popular destinations. Named for its founders, Erastus Snow and William Flake, Snowflake actually experiences mild winters due to its lower elevation versus its sister-communities in the White Mountains Region where it is nestled within a valley. Summers, similarly, are pleasant and visitors have discovered that the downtown’s quaintly historic district provide equally pleasant accommodations near many of Arizona’s attractions.

The Snowflake Landscape

Snowflake is uniquely situated as the northernmost community of the White Mountains region. To the south, groves of ponderosa pine give way to the majesty of the White Mountains which are filled with pristine lakes and streams as well as the alpine beauty one might expect from the mountains. The White Mountains offer travelers a reprieve from the hot desert sun that heats the rest of the state. Consequently, it is a popular retreat for vacationers far and wide. The Mogollon Rim and Sitgreaves National Forest, also located in this region, offer a plethora of beautiful sites and plenty of year-round outdoor activities.

To the north of Snowflake are still more popular Arizona destinations. The Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert are less than 50 miles north of Snowflake and the various attractions of the Navajo Indian Reservation are well within driving distance from Snowflake AZ. The barren desert landscape is certainly a contrast with the Mountains to the south of Snowflake, but the geography gives the town its unique position. Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly, premier Arizona sites, are popular day trips that Snowflake visitors take regularly.

Why People Visit Snowflake, Arizona

People visit Snowflake for its relaxed small-town feel, historic sites, nearby outdoor recreation and central location for exploring northeastern Arizona. The town is popular with travelers heading to the White Mountains, Petrified Forest area, Show Low lakes and scenic backroads across Navajo and Apache counties. Visitors also come for family events, local festivals, cooler summer temperatures and access to fishing, camping and wildlife viewing within an easy drive.

Snowflake Attractions

The town of Snowflake was founded in 1878 and many buildings in its downtown district have been restored to reflect its quaint past. Of the 100 or so historic homes in Snowflake, forty-five have been listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Various tours of the buildings are offered that shed light on the architecture which boasts Victorian and gothic styles. Many of the homes show a Mormon influence as well and some have been converted into bed and breakfasts which are quite popular with visitors.

Things To Do Near Snowflake

• Explore the historic downtown Snowflake area
• Visit nearby Taylor and local community parks
• Drive to Show Low for lakes, golf and shopping
• Fish at Fool Hollow Lake near Show Low
• Explore the White Mountains scenic region
• Visit Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert
• Camp in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
• Take scenic drives through Heber, Overgaard and Mogollon Rim country
• Watch wildlife, birds and Arizona sunsets
• Enjoy cooler summer weather and star-filled night skies

Antique shops and various annual festivals make the town itself a charming destination.

The nearby White Mountains region offer travelers a vast array of things to see and do. Hiking, camping, mountain biking, fishing, and swimming are popular summer activities. In the winter, visitors to the region can expect to find activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and even ice fishing. The unique beauty of the mountains is a wonderful place to catch wildlife in action as well. Photographers will delight in the plethora of scenic subjects to capture with their cameras. There are plenty of accommodations from campgrounds to bed and breakfasts to be found as well as hotels in Snowflake.

Directions To Snowflake

From Phoenix. Take Loop 202 East, then Arizona 87 (Beeline Highway) north to Payson, Arizona to Arizona 260. Take Arizona 260 East to Show Low. At Show Low, take Arizona 77 North to Snowflake. Total driving distance is about 195 miles.

From Interstate 40. At Holbrook, Arizona along I-40, Exit at Holbrook on Highway 77. Go South on Highway 77 to Snowflake.

Beautiful White Mountains In Arizona