478-acre nature preserve featuring hiking, biking & horseback riding, plus wildlife & petroglyphs.
Picture Canyon is a 478-acre city-run preserve on Flagstaff's north side, and it punches well above its size — petroglyphs, a small waterfall, and a network of easy trails that thread through cottonwoods and reclaimed wetlands along the Rio de Flag. With a 4.5-star rating from over 345 reviews, it's become a regular stop for locals stretching their legs and visitors detouring off Highway 89.
The main draw is the Tom Moody Trail, an easy, mostly flat route that leads to two petroglyph sites and a small waterfall — bigger than most photos suggest, according to visitors. The preserve links directly to the Arizona Trail, so hikers and mountain bikers can extend the route for miles in either direction, including a connection toward Walnut Canyon. Interpretive signage at the trailhead covers local bird and duck species, and reviewers have spotted herons among the reclaimed ponds.
It won't feel like a wilderness experience given the treated-water backdrop, but between the petroglyphs, the waterfall, and the wildlife, it's a worthwhile detour if you're already in Flagstaff.
359 reviews
3 months ago
We always have an incredibly pleasant hike and see scores of birds when we visit Picture Canyon. The longer trails are fantastic, quiet, and peaceful. While there are reminders of the fact that you're basically on the edge of town, we always get lost in the nature once we get far enough down a trail. Great points of interest like the petroglyphs, pit house, and railroad trestle.
4 months ago
As others have mentioned there is a slight odor in a few spots. Mainly at the start of the trail. We walked the Moody Loop which isn't that bad, but the soft soil is like walking in loose sand for a lot of the trail. We did end up seeing several elk along the back side of the loop.
5 months ago
If you can get past all the bugs swarming your face for the beginning of the trail and smell the sewage from the treatment plant, then you will see a beautiful waterfall through the canyon. This place is free to enjoy and has a porta-john at the trailhead.
9 months ago
Took my family to this nice, peaceful hike - the Tom Moody Extension of Picture Canyon hiking trail. We visited during Thanksgiving week at around 11:00 am and were pleased to have the hike mostly to ourselves - maybe came across a handful of people. The weather was chilly but bearable. Would definitely recommend this hike. The start of the trail is at a sewerage and water plant which makes for a terrible and unpleasant odor at the beginning, however it doesn’t last long. The public bathroom is a porta potty at the trailhead/parking lot. As you start your hike you can take detours to Arizona Trail, which is a bike friendly trail and goes on for miles on either direction, even connecting this to Walnut Canyon. We followed the Tom Moody trail to the left at the fork, exploring the beautiful landscape and woods before ending our hike with the petroglyphs and waterfall. Our total distance was around 4 miles. This was an easy hike and mostly flat landscape. You will need to venture off the trail just slightly to get to the waterfall, but you will hear it - just keep following the signs to Tom Moody.
4 months ago
Was very fun and easy to visit this area. About 10 mins of walking around and you get to see the river and meadows. Very windy that day so please dress appropriately lol 😆 😅