Williams is in Coconino County, just west of Flagstaff on Route 66. It nestles at the foot of the unimaginatively named Bill Williams Mountain - which probably has a much more interesting native name – surrounded by one of the planet's biggest Ponderosa Pine forests, a real outdoor paradise. And it's only an hour's drive to the extraordinary drama and breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon, a legend of a destination.
The Schist rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is approximately 2 billion years old.
Snow in Arizona? Yes! Elk Ridge Ski Area is a family friendly ski, snowboard and tubing area in the lovely Kaibab National Forest, on Bill Williams Mountain, with surface lifts, a dozen scenic alpine trails and the only certified tubing hill in the region. All well as plenty of snow fun, there's a whole host of other attractions to enjoy in and around Williams.
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Take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway
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Visit Bearizona Wildlife Park
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Experience the Thunder Eagle Native Art Museum
Do all three of the above then have a giggle at Flintstone's Bedrock City, great fun for the kids.
You'll find the lush Kaibab National Forest on the vast Colorado Plateau with its beautiful lake. Take yourself to the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, a petting zoo, or visit the Planes of Fame Air Museum.
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Experience Wild West Junction
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Take a scenic hike to the ancient Kaibab Petrographs
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Enjoy a scenic drive along part of route US 191
All aboard! The Grand Canyon train is a unique way to experience the planet's biggest hole in the ground, and absorb lots of interesting scenery along the way. Look out for wild horses and massive herds of cows, and enjoy the music played by local musicians on the train.
The beautiful Green Mountain Reservoir is famous for its glorious sunrises, scenic hiking, thrilling jetski adventures, excellent 4x4 vehicle country, mountains, waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife.
Quirky Williams has a wonderful Old Wild West feel to it - most of the buildings date from the turn of the nineteenth century, when the area was still pretty wild.
Take a ride on a horse drawn buggy through Williams for an intimate look at this old Route 66 community. Then check out the small yet fascinating Williams Visitor Center and Museum, an old railway freight depot that's home to Route 66's final traffic light heading west. Walk the City of Williams Trail between Sheridan and Forest, a bit tricky to find but worth the effort for the views, lookout points and route through the beautiful National Forest. Take a hike around the city itself to discover some of its historic homes and commercial premises, all with that typical cowboy film feel. You can even take a contemporary tack and visit the Big Toy Playground to operate enormous machines like excavators and loaders, courtesy of an expert instructor.
Visit Williams for an excellent drive-through wildlife park and a vibe rich in historic Western heritage, a friendly place where cowboys swagger through town, the perfect base for Grand Canyon adventures. Go in June for Williams' famous Wild West Weekend, a feast of live music plus a replica gunfight, reunion rodeo, bronco riding, team tying, steer riding, model trains and tractors, photo displays, lots of food, beer, wine and more, a festival with a difference. Whatever time of year you visit Williams there's something going on, and the wild landscapes surrounding it are eternally beautiful.