Arizona · Hiking · Near Kachina Village

Christmas Tree

Christmas TreePhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
3.1 mi
round trip
243 ft
climb
7,275 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Christmas Tree open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Coconino National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Christmas Tree is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3 miles in the Flagstaff Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. The trail rises roughly 240 feet from a low point of 7,017 feet to a high of 7,275 feet, and the climb is broken into natural terrain rather than a built surface. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is not accessible. The most comfortable stretch runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from the Ft Valley weather station, about 9 miles away, put May highs near 71°F and October highs near 66°F, with summer bringing more frequent wet days. The trailhead is at the Mt Elden parking area, and the route is close to a cluster of other outdoor spots. Fatmans Loop, a mountain biking route, and Fatman's Loop, a hiking route, both lie within a third of a mile. The Lost Elden climbing area is about 0.6 miles away, and Little Elden Springs Horsecamp offers camping roughly 2.6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    KOA Holiday - Flagstaff

    Campground

    Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    McDonald's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Museum of Northern Arizona research facility

    Museum

    On your way back · 5 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Christmas Tree

    Best months: May–July and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 17°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 20°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 24°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 27°

      5 wet

    5. May

      71° / 33°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 49°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 49°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 41°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 30°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 23°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ft Valley, AZ, 9.4 mi away at 7,347 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Blue Dot TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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