Williams Arizona: Gateway to the Grand Canyon

Tucked into the cool, pine-scented forests of northern Arizona, the charming town of Williams feels like a step back in time—in all the best ways. Part of the original Route 66, it’s the kind of place where nostalgia meets outdoor adventure, where you can hop aboard a historic train or meet a bear up close (safely, of course). And the best part? The Grand Canyon is just an hour up the road.

Whether you’re craving quirky shops, cozy diners, forest hikes, or a magical ride on the Polar Express, Williams invites you in with open arms and a welcoming small-town vibe. This is a place that makes it easy to slow down, breathe deep, and make some unforgettable memories.

Let’s explore all the fun things you can do in Williams.

Table of Contents

Williams, Arizona Overview

Where is Williams & How to Get There.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Things to do in Williams
Day Trips from Williams

Where is Williams, Arizona?

Just 30 miles west of Flagstaff and 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon. It is the closest largest town to Grand Canyon.

How to Get to Williams

From Flagstaff, Arizona take I-40 west for about 30 miles.

BearArizona

The first time I visited BearArizona was for a mother daughter day trip. A girl’s weekend to William’s included a stop at Arizona’s unique Bearizona wildlife park. This wildlife park allows visitors to view bears in their natural habitat.

How to Get to Beararizona

The park is in the small town of Williams, Arizona just west of Flagstaff. From Phoenix the quickest route is 180 miles and about a three-hour drive. Take I-17 north to Flagstaff for 170 miles and then exit 340 b to merge onto Interstate 40 west. Stay on this for 30 miles ant then take exit 165 towards Williams. Make a left on 64 and look for signs to Beararizona.

Bearizona is divided into two parts: one you drive through and one you can walk through.

Drive Through

The first part is the drive through wildlife park where you are allowed to drive your car through eight different areas to view animals in their natural habitat. While driving through the wolves and the bear habitat your windows must remain rolled up.

Each area is marked by a gate and a rumble like strip area you will feel as you drive over. The first enclosure area is home to the Rocky Mountain goats, followed by the burros and the bison.

The third area is home to the wolves, who were not shy when we visited. Next you will loop around to see the Dall sheep, the white bison and the bighorn sheep.

The black bears are the last area. There are several dens near the road where bears were sleeping. Later on in the day they were walking around the woods and across the road.

Tip: You can drive through the area as often as you like, so if you want to see the animals again just loop back around. When we visited at 9:00 am the reindeer were active, and most of the bears were awake. At 1:00 pm the wolves were active, and the bears were sleeping. By 3:30 pm the bears were awake, and the wolves were sleeping.

We really enjoyed visiting this zoo, it was unlike any other in Arizona. The animals are within a few feet of your car, so it goes without saying keep the windows up.

Zoo Part

After you make the two-mile loop, you can park and visit the second part of Bearizona. The second area of the park is a small zoo that has birds of prey, bears, petting zoo, raccoons, lynx and several other animals.

To the right of the path past the lynx there is a large open viewing area for the younger bears. When we were there, we were lucky to see the babies eat.

There is also a cave you can walk through and see the bears (through the glass) sleeping inside of the cave. There were about ten bears when we visited. My daughter said we “hit the jackpot of bears.”

The petting zoo is home to chickens, ducks and goats. When we visited, they had three 9-week-old baby bears they were bottle feeding at the gift shop. They were so cute and fun to watch. The paths are wide and well kept. There is a gift shop, bathrooms, and a restaurant.

Hours: 8-6 (visit Bearizona webiste- hours vary depending on season) Address: 1500 E. Route 66 Williams, AZ Phone: 928-635-2289

Grand Canyon Deer Farm

The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is only seven miles from Bearizona, so it makes it easy to see both places on the same day. After you pay an entrance fee you are free to roam around the property and interact with all of the animals including wallabies, goats, camels, horses and of course to feed the very friendly deer.

I suggest being prepared for lots of deer greeting you as soon as you enter the gate. There were so many swarming me that I threw the food the opposite direction.

Flintstones Bedrock City

This could fall in the tourist trap category, but we thought it was a lot of fun to explore the different buildings from the cartoon, The Flintstones. I remember watching The Flintstones reruns at my grandma’s house, so I loved wandering around the cartoon-inspired buildings and snapping pics with your favorite prehistoric pals.

Route 66 Museum & Gift Shop

You can’t visit Williams without soaking in a little Route 66 magic. This nostalgic Route 66 Museum & Gift Shop has all the memorabilia you could want, from vintage signs to travel mugs. It is located at 811 W Rte 66, Williams, AZ 86046. You can’t visit Williams without soaking in a little Route 66 magic. This nostalgic shop has all the memorabilia you could want, from vintage signs to travel mugs.

Grand Canyon Railway

One of the most memorable ways to reach the Grand Canyon is by train—and it all starts right here in Williams. The The Grand Canyon Railway takes you on a scenic journey to the South Rim, with vintage-style cars and even costumed actors who bring history to life.

They offer regular tours year-round, but in the winter, something extra magical happens…

Polar Express

All Aboard the Polar Express. Getting a ticket on the Polar Express Grand Canyon Railway, is a tradition for many Arizona families.

Every winter, the spirit of Christmas comes alive on this journey to the “North Pole.”

The ride is based on the magical classic children’s book, The Polar Express™, by Chris Van Allsburg. Passengers are encouraged to wear their pajamas during the ride and bring a copy of the book.

Seats on the train are bench-style, with two passengers per bench. The seats can be reversed. If you have four people in your group you can face each other during the ride.

Arrive early, so you have time to pick up your tickets and explore the depot. Passengers can have their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Clause, visit with the elves and create some holiday crafts.

The ride lasts about an hour and each night a train leaves at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm from the depot in Williams. Every passenger is given a songbook of Christmas songs and are encouraged to sing along during the trip. Hot chocolate and cookies are served while you listen to the story of the Polar Express.

The “North Pole” and “Santa’s Village” has lots of decorations and lights. For some reason I had some misconceived idea passengers were able to exit and explore the “North Pole,” but this is not true. Passengers can only view the village from the train, this was a little disappointing. My daughter’s disappointment was short lived when Santa came on the train. He visited with all of the kids and gives each one a keepsake from their journey.

Tip: Plan early, tickets are often sold out by summer. If possible, choose seat on train that when you board you are seating to the right as you will have a better view of Santa’s Village.

Address: 233 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, Arizona
Directions: From Phoenix take I-17 north to Flagstaff, at the 40 interchange go west about 30 miles toward Williams.
Hours: The ride lasts a little over an hour, and most days the train will leave at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Phone: 1-888-848-3511
Website: https://www.thetrain.com/

Winter Fun – Sledding & Tubing

When the snow falls, the forests around Williams become sledding heaven. You’ll find several hills just outside of town, especially near the Kaibab National Forest. Bring a sled, bundle up, and enjoy some good old-fashioned winter fun.

Hiking

Williams is surrounded by national forest land, making it a great base for hiking. Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or a heart-pumping adventure, there are trails for every level. Popular spots include:

Bill Williams Mountain Trail
Sycamore Falls
Dogtown Lake

The fresh mountain air and quiet pine forests make for the perfect nature escape.

Grand Canyon

Wondering what the drive from Williams to the Grand Canyon looks like? It’s a scenic and simple route. From Williams, take AZ-64 north for about an hour. The drive is peaceful, with wide-open desert views that slowly shift into pine forest as you near the South Rim. And when those canyon walls finally come into view—pure magic.

Williams is more than just a pit stop—it’s a fun weekend destination. Whether you’re heading to the Grand Canyon or just craving a weekend escape with small-town charm, Williams rolls out the welcome mat with history, adventure, and a healthy dose of fun.