Inner Basin trail has beautiful Aspen tree forests patches. I can imagine what it would look like with all the autumn leaves changing colors in the fall.
Getting There
If you land at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport head north for about ~200 miles. It is ~15 miles north of Flagstaff on paved and dirt Forest Roads.
Forest Service Directions: “Drive northeast of Flagstaff on US Highway 89 for 12.5 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 552, directly across from the Sunset Crater National Monument turnoff. Follow FR 552 for approximately one mile. Turn right at the Lockett Meadow sign and continue to the campground.”
Inner Basin Trail No. 29
The Forest Service rate the hike as “Moderate to strenuous (steady gain of 600′ in elevation per mile at high elevation).”
Wear good hiking shoes as there are lots of roots and rocks on the trail.
Click here for the map from the Forest Service.
The online map shows a loop. When we arrived we thought we were doing a 2-mile loop.
However, the map at the trailhead showed one way- up and back.
We ended up exploring and walking around for a few hours and then turned around to get back to the truck to get back down the mountain before dark.
There are directional markers on the trail.
Many people were camping in the area. We went to this location for the day. FYI the drive up the mountain was on a narrow dirt road.
Once we were down off the mountain and getting ready to enter back on the main paved road, we stopped to enjoy this beautiful sunset.
Hiking Inner Basin Trail No. 29 Flagstaff, Arizona
It is a great day hike with shade. Whether you are camping in the area or visiting Flagstaff, check out this moderate to strenuous hike and bring drinking water.
Do you like hiking with shade or open to the sun?
Our favorite Flagstaff hike. Best part is that there are hardly any people on it.
There were not many people on the trail when we were there either. It was nice and quiet.
I’ve hiked Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff. Now I need to go back and check this trail out!
Yes, this is just on the other side!
I have always loved Aspen trees. And the shade makes for a great hike on a hot day!
Yes, I like shaded hikes on hot days.
We love hiking! It is so awesome when you find a great trail!
I agree. 🙂
I’m all about day hikes and trees these days…nourishes my soul. And these white trees! I could just sit and look at them all day! I love hiking in the woods with shade but also enjoy the wide prairies or rocky shorelines.
Yes, the different areas nourish my soul too.
This looks like another great hike. This may sound like a silly question, but do the leaves change colors like here in New England?
The aspen tree leave do change.
Is the camping back country or is there a campground nearby?
I like a combo of hiking in the sun and shade.
The trailhead is within a campground. There are fees for the campsites.
Looks like a great hike spot!
I liked all the different tree types.
Wow! Look at those trees. What a stunning place to hike.
That is was we thought too. 🙂
Another great hiking spot. I have wanted to visit Flagstaff.
Flagstaff has a lot to discover.
The sunset over the treeline is beautiful. What a great way to end a hike.
Yes, love a good sunset.
The Aspen trees are beautiful! I am definitely a shade hiker.. I hate being hot!! Though I do appreciate period breaks in the trees so I can enjoy views!
We like the shade too!
I love all of the aspen trees!
Us too. We like to visit and observe the animals that venture into the area too.
The trees are absolutely gorgeous! This would be a fun area to explore!
It was neat to see the different patches/areas of trees.
Looks like a great hike! I love exploring new places in nature!
Yes, us too. Never know what you will find.
I love all the trees! Looks like a gorgeous area to hike.
Yes, very relaxing.