Edge Of The World Flagstaff Hike Guide: Trails, Tips & Views

The landscape of Arizona offers a plethora of wonderful destinations and edge of the world flagstaff is one of them. The official name of this hiking trail is “East Pocket”, located in the Coconino National Forest, 40 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona.

No matter whether you love hiking or not, this spot is a must-visit spot for nature lovers who want to admire natural scenery with panoramic views.

Let’s take a look at how you can explore this hiking trail. Keep reading to know about trail’s map, difficulty level & elevation gain etc.

Overview of Edge of the World Flagstaff Trail

The edge of the World hike trail is a 87.4-km out-and-back trail near Flagstaff, Arizona. This is generally considered as an easy route, a famous area for off-road driving and scenic driving. While exploring this trail, you meet with other people like locals or tourists.

The actual road conditions are like bumpy dirt roads, unpaved road and dirt road winds. But awesome views from the top (actual viewpoint & climactic viewpoint) are definitely worth the drive for hikers & other tourists as well especially if they want to catch stunning views of sunset.

To know about trail’s map, directions, weather, reviews and camping sites, do not skip out on reading.

Edge of the World Flagstaff Map

Edge of the World Flagstaff Directions

Directions to the “East Pocket” from Sedona

With at least one-hour long drive and 90 minutes, you can get to Edge of the World from Sedona. Just need to follow these directions.

Look for forest road 535 from highway 89A.
Heading west into the mountains by taking left on 535.
About 17 miles north of Sedona, you will find marked turnoff for 535.
From turnoff, you need to spend 19 miles on windy & dirty road.
After look for forest service road # 9012R. Take a right down the road and you will reach your final destination.

Directions to the “East Pocket Knob” from Flagstaff

From flagstaff, the “East Pocket” hiking trail is located about an hour & 45 minutes in good road conditions. But if you find rough roads, it may take somewhere between one hour.

Follow these directions:

Head south for almost 20 minutes from highway 89A.
Then take a right on US Forest Service Road 535 for heading west into the mountains.
Almost about 12 miles south of flagstaff, you will easily find marked turnoff.
Spend almost 19 miles on dirt and rough road.
There are no designated signs for hiking trail so just look for Forest Service Road 9012R.
Take a right down the road to reach to your final destination.

Hiking Direction

This is less common but undeniably it will come up with immersive and fun experience. You can find various unmarked routes that combine Forest Road 231.

These hikes normally start near Woody Mountain Road and stretches from 10-15 miles as a round-trip, only recommended for experienced hikers who have enough idea about backcountry navigation.

What is the Edge of the World Flagstaff Weather?

10-day weather forecast in the form of table.

Date	Low/ High Temperature	Forecast	Rain chance
6^th April	58°/27°	Sunny	1%
7^th April	64°/34°	Mostly Sunny	0%
8^th April	67°/37°	Mostly Sunny	0%
9^th April	73°/41°	Sunny	0%
10^th April	74°/42°	Mostly Sunny	0%
11^th April	74°/43°	Partly Cloudy	0%
12^th April	68°/40°	Partly Cloudy	0%
13^th April	63°/33°	Partly Cloudy	0%
14^th April	63°/34°	Sunny	0%
15^th April	66°/37°	Sunny	0%

Best Time to Visit

Late spring through early fall (May to October) is the ideal time to go to Edge of the World. During this time, you won’t face dry weather & inclement weather with mild daytime temperatures ranging from the 60s to 80s (Fahrenheit).

Avoid these times of the year:

Winter & early spring because snow and mud can make the forest roads toughest.
Late July to early September when sudden thunderstorms and flash flooding are common.

What to Expect from this Hiking Trail?

Once you reach at Edge of the World, you will be welcomed with beautiful surrounding views, spreading across the Verde Valley to the red cliffs of Sedona. For camping trip, camping options or camping at edge, this is one of the beautiful camping locations with relaxing atmosphere.

Here’s what you can expect from this trail or canyon camping site.

Sunset & Sunrise Views: The golden hour light time of the day surprise visitors with beautiful hues of orange, red, and purple cliffs.

Stargazing: Due to minimal light pollution, this is one of the best spots for campsite before nightfall near Flagstaff.

Wildlife: There’s an abundant wildlife in the form of elk, deer, foxes, and a variety of birds. Respect wildlife while maintaining a safer distance from them.

Camping at Edge: For memorable camping experience and for better Edge of the World Flagstaff dispersed camping recommendations, enjoy cliff-side camping experience while following camping regulations and campfire guidelines.

How Many Hiking Options Are Available?

As we earlier mentioned that there’s no officially designated hiking trail but here are two important hiking ideas to reach to the area.

1. East Pocket Lookout Route

Distance: The distance is around 10-12 miles round trip and it all depends on where you start on FR 231.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

What to Expect? Forest views, enjoyable hiking and beautiful rim views.

2. Backcountry Route from Woody Mountain Road

Distance: It varies but normally a round trip of 12-15 miles.

Difficulty: The difficulty level is hard because trail is unmarked and requires proper navigation.

What to Expect? Solitude, dense ponderosa forests, off-grid experience.

Good topographic map and GPS is must because these hiking routes are hard to navigate due to forest paths.

Edge of the World Flagstaff Reviews

You can read amazing reviews of people who enjoyed visiting, hiking or camping at Edge of the World Flagstaff.

Edge of the World in Flagstaff amazed me! The snowy drive needed 4-wheel drive, but the breathtaking views were worth it. A moderate 4-hour hike with parking, perfect for picnics and camping.

Robin Boyd

Happy Visitor

Incredible views at Edge of the World, Flagstaff! Fun off-roading led to stunning scenery in 3 hours. This moderate hike offers parking and hiking spots, making the journey absolutely unforgettable and worthwhile.

Ward Rowse

Happy Visitor

Edge of the World, Flagstaff, left me speechless! The 4-hour moderate drive opened to epic views. With parking aplenty, we hiked and camped, soaking in nature’s beauty at this stunning spot.

Joey Field

Happy Visitor

Read Google Reviews

Useful Tips to Follow for a Memorable Visit

Start Early: By starting your adventure early, you have more time to explore and do not face overheating issues.

Check Road Conditions: Before go, must check road conditions. If you don’t know how to check road conditions earlier, call the Flagstaff Ranger District (928-526-0866).

Don’t Rely on Cell Service: Do not forget to download maps and guides earlier. You can download GPS apps like Gaia GPS or AllTrails.

Leave No Trace: Respect the natural beauty of area by leaving no trace and pack out everything you bring in.

Check Weather Conditions: Sudden and extreme weather conditions can be dangerous so turn back if you think weather is not good for exploration.

Camp Smartly: Set up at least 200 feet from the rim for safety and be mindful of fire bans.

What to Pack?

No matter whether you are hiking or driving, preparation is a key to successful journey. Here’s a checklist of important essentials.

For Day Trips:

Plenty of water (at least 3 liters per person)
Snacks and lunch
Navigation tools (GPS, downloaded maps, compass)
Sunscreen and hat
Layers (weather can change quickly)
First aid kit
Camera or binoculars
Trash bags (Leave No Trace!)

For Overnight Camping:

Tent or hammock with straps
Sleeping bag and pad
Portable stove or campfire gear (check fire restrictions)
Extra food and water
Headlamp or flashlight
Bear-proof container (though rare, it’s a good precaution)

Final Ideas!

When go to Arizona, it is impossible not to explore one of the best hidden gems named as “edge of the world flagstaff”. Because of awe-inspiring views, tranquil environment and sense of remoteness, this trail is a must-visit site for history & nature lovers.

The exploration experience is nothing short of magical because of fiery sunset views, quiet campfire crackle and crisp mountain air. Book your tickets in advance, pack essential gear, plan your route and go on one of the best life’s adventures in the USA’s most beautiful places.