last updated: 8 July 1999

IMPORTANT: There will be another, probably much larger, conference in Flagstaff at about the same time as Sustaining Rural Environments. Because of this it is recommended that you make your travel arrangements early.

Most of the meetings will be held in the Hampton Inn and Suites Hotel.  Some larger gatherings may be held on the NAU campus in the Southwest Forest Science Center, home to the Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation.  Both of these buildings are located in the southwest corner of the NAU campus (which is the largest university campus in land area in Arizona).  This location can be seen in the aerial photography above by first locating the NAU Skydome - the large, oval white object towards the bottom of the photo.  (The skydome is among the largest wooden domes in the world.)  The conference venues are located directly to the southwest of the Skydome.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and then renting a car is your best bet.  All major airlines fly into the Phoenix airport and major rental car companies are located there as well.  From Sky Harbor to Flagstaff is very scenic drive of about a 2 1/2 hour, which will take you past titillating places named Bumble Bee, Black Canyon City, Big Bug Creek, Carefree, Cornville, and Congress Junction.  Renting a car would save you taking a taxi from the Flagstaff airport to the conference hotel (US$7 one way) or the bus stations downtown (US$4 one way) and leave you free to explore on your own.

If you choose not to rent a car, your next best bet is Open Road Tours. Go to their website and click on Flagstaff for information on their shuttels between Phoenix and Flagstaff.

Mesa Airlines, a subsidiary of America West airlines, flies into Flagstaff.  The little commuter plane is a 19 seater.  Flights fill up quickly and are sometimes cancelled if there are not enough pilots or there is inclement weather. (The latter information is from a travel agent whose name shall not be revealed).  Some people have complained of air sickness due to turbulent air currents associated with our hot and varied topography.   This should not be problem in October, unless a low pressure system is moving through the area.  There are about 7 flights between Phoenix and Flagstaff each day.  Flights leave Flagstaff as early as 5:45 PM and as late as 8:55 PM.   Flights leaving Phoenix start at 6:50 AM and end at 9:55 PM.  Round trip tickets from Phoenix to Flagstaff run from $110 to $200.

The Greyhound Bus Depot, located on Milton Road, is connected to all major cities.  If you arrive on Greyhound, a US$4 taxi fare will get you to the Hampton Inn and Suites.

Although trains pass through Flagstaff on a regular basis, snarling traffic, and evoking the past with their clanking and their whistle, Amtrack only comes through Flagstaff once a day from the west or east.  The passenger train arrives from the West (from Los Angeles) at approximately 6:30 AM and from the East (from Albuquerque) around 10:25 PM.

If you have require any further assistance, please feel free to contact Alan.Lew@NAU.EDU.

Whatever mode of travel you decide upon, we look forward to your participation at the meeting!

Return to meeting homepage