Museum of Northern Arizona
Museum Museum of regional Native American and natural history
Flagstaff’s Museum of Northern Arizona houses extensive collections of Hopi, Navajo and other Indigenous art alongside geology and natural‑history displays; visitors come for Native American pottery, regional archaeology and Colorado Plateau interpretation.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is a museum in Flagstaff, Arizona, established to document and interpret the natural and cultural history of the Colorado Plateau. It was founded in 1928 by Dr. Harold S. Colton and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton.
Galleries display archaeology, ethnology, and fine art related to Native American cultures of the region as well as natural history exhibits. The institution supports research, conservation, and public education and maintains collections used by scholars and tribal partners.
The museum grew from early 20th century archaeological and ethnographic work on the Colorado Plateau and has expanded its research and curatorial programs since its founding. It has acted as both a public exhibition space and a repository for regionally important collections.
Located in Flagstaff in northern Arizona, the museum sits within the greater Colorado Plateau region and serves as a base for field research and public programs focused on the surrounding deserts, canyons, and high-country landscapes.
- Founding: Founded in 1928 by Dr. Harold S. Colton and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton to study and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau.
- Collections: Houses extensive archaeological and ethnographic collections documenting Indigenous cultures of the Colorado Plateau, with strong holdings of Hopi and Navajo material culture.
How to Get to Museum of Northern Arizona #
The museum is located on Fort Valley Road just north of Flagstaff, Arizona. From downtown Flagstaff, take US-180/US-89 north to N Fort Valley Rd and follow signs. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and Amtrak service (the Southwest Chief) provide regional connections; local taxis and rental cars serve the museum area.
Tips for Visiting Museum of Northern Arizona #
- Arrive early to explore outdoor exhibits and the native plant garden before midday heat at higher elevations.
- Visit the gallery rotation-they often mount major exhibitions on Hopi, Navajo, and Colorado Plateau archaeology that are regionally significant.
- If interested in paleontology, ask about guided hikes or nearby sites the museum references; local rangers and docents can often point to interpretive trails.
Best Time to Visit Museum of Northern Arizona #
Flagstaff's cooler elevation makes spring and autumn particularly pleasant for the Museum of Northern Arizona's mix of indoor and outdoor programming.
Weather & Climate near Museum of Northern Arizona #
Museum of Northern Arizona's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) - Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (522 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 8°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 4°C. The driest month with just 11 mm.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain.
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September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
