Museum of Northern ArizonaAbout Museum of Northern Arizona
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.
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -10° - 6° | -6° | 51 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -8° - 8° | -4° | 55 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -6° - 10° | -2° | 59 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -3° - 15° | 3° | 27 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 0° - 20° | 8° | 20 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 26° | 15° | 11 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 8° - 28° | 18° | 65 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 8° - 27° | 17° | 71 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 4° - 23° | 14° | 48 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -1° - 18° | 6° | 39 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -6° - 11° | -1° | 39 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - 7° | -6° | 37 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
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.