The Wonders of the Old West Are Alive in Northern Arizona
Home to epic natural beauty including the Grand Canyon, Coconino County is situated in North-Central Arizona and is the second largest county in the lower 48 United States. In Coconino County, median incomes are on the rise and average home prices continue to increase, both of which are major contributors to the noticeable economic growth the area has seen in recent years.
With over 18,600 square miles, Coconino County is actually larger than nine American states. The vast area is the home of much beauty and diversity — serving as home of the Havasupai Nation along with parts of the Navajo Nation, Hualapai Nation and Hopi Nation. Approximately 130,000 residents populate the county and that number is on the rise, up over 15% since 2000.
The county seat of Flagstaff, situated at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, serves as the transportation hub of the area. There are two regional airports, AMTRAK service for rail travel, and Greyhound Bus Lines for highway transit.
Attractions & Events
Coconino County provides access to its eclectic culture via several galleries, museums and art centers, but the main appeal is the great outdoors. The top destination is Grand Canyon National Park — a powerful and inspiring landscape that overwhelms the senses in sheer size. At certain points the Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep. Air tours are offered by Air Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Airlines both headquartered in Tusayan. And if you’re really feeling adventurous, hop on a horse for a guided tour into the scenic depths of the canyon!
In Flagstaff, The Arboretum is a 200-acre botanical garden, environmental education center and research station with over 2,500 species of plants from the Colorado Plateau. The highest peak in the state, Humphrey’s Peak, soars to 12,637 feet and is a popular hiking attraction. “Humphrey’s Trail” starts at the Arizona Snowbowl, a large ski resort in the Coconino National Forest, and traverses to the peak through the only region of tundra in the state at an elevation just over 11,500 feet.
You can also visit the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact site. Just minutes from Winslow, Meteor Crater is nearly one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep. The crater was created when an asteroid crashed into Earth about 50,000 years ago traveling at a speed of 26,000 miles per hour.
If you first make it out to Coconino County next holiday season be sure to stop by the Weatherford Hotel. Every New Year’s Eve the hotel drops a 70-pound, 6-foot tall, metallic pinecone from the roof at midnight to ring in the New Year. In early September, don’t miss Flagstaff’s Route 66 Days which highlights the city’s connection to the iconic American highway.
Economy, Education & Resources
W.L. Gore & Associates, a medical device manufacturing company, is a major part of the local economy providing 9,000 jobs to the area. The county is also a distribution hub for Walgreens and Nestle. Coconino County is also home to The Lowell Observatory, the U.S. Naval Observatory, and the United States Geological Survey Flagstaff Station. The area is served by Flagstaff Medical Center and is home to Coconino Community College and Northern Arizona University – all of which are major area employers.
Coconino County, Arizona is big and bold with tons of ‘Old West’ charm. Will you make it your next home?