14 Best Things to Do in Fredonia (AZ)

Located in Arizona’s Coconino County, Fredonia is a small mountain town that had less than 1,500 residents at the time of the last census.

Fredonia is considered ‘The Gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.”

Northern Arizona is a paradise for artists, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, and no matter what time of the year you chose to go, there will be plenty of unique sites and activities to keep you busy.

The town is just a few minutes south of Kanab, Utah, which is home to many more of the American-southwest’s most impressive and visited attractions.

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Fredonia, Arizona.

1. Grand Canyon National Park

Straddling Coconino and Mohave Counties in Arizona’s vast north-central region, Grand Canyon National Park may just be the most recognized and iconic symbol of the beauty and vastness of this amazingly diverse and dramatic region.

The park was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1979 and is one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders.

President Teddy Roosevelt visited the Grand Canyon in 1903 and, awed by its immenseness and majesty, vowed to do everything in his power to protect it for future generations.

The park is largely undeveloped, thanks to his declaration, and there are many ways to view this masterpiece from like by helicopter, horseback, and guided hikes.

2. Red Pueblo Museum

Located on North Main Street in Fredonia, the Red Pueblo Museum is dedicated to displaying and preserving the area’s rich Native American heritage.

It’s full of centuries old artifacts from the Anasazi people who’ve called this rough country home for generations.

Though the museum is pretty small, it’s packed full of interesting things and if your timing is good you may get the dime tour from the curator, who unsurprisingly is an enthusiastic expert of all that’s on display.

Outside there’s a pioneer-era cabin that was moved to its current location for preservation. Consider a small donation to help keep this gem of a stop open.

3. Pipe Spring National Monument

Located on North Pipe Spring Road in Fredonia, Pipe Spring National Monument is comprised of about 40 acres, and though it’s small, it attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year.

It’s been around since the 1920s and is full of artifacts and memorabilia left over from the area’s Native Americans and Mormon settlers who came to the area in the 19th century.

The area was very important in ages past due to its natural spring, which was one of the only steady sources of water in the otherwise arid landscape.

The spring was discovered in the early 1700s and is located along the Old Spanish Trail, which was used by explorers and missionaries in the area.

4. Kanab Visitor Center

Since it’s almost a certainty that your trip to Fredonia will include at least one side-excursion to Kanab, Utah, then the Kanab Visitor Center would be a great place to stop to get some insider information into things that you’ll want to do and see.

The center is full literature and brochures that you’re able to take with you, and it’s staffed by knowledgeable and informative locals who’ll be happy to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.

The visitor center is a museum too, and is full of fascinating Native American artifacts that’ve been collected by the area’s archaeologists.

5. Heritage House

Located just up the road in Kanab, Utah, Heritage House was built in the 1890s and over its life has served as the home for many of the area’s most prominent citizens.

It’s been lovingly restored and preserved, and is really like a time capsule that’ll transport you back in time to an era that was very different than what we’re used to today.

The house is full of period furniture, art, and amenities, most of which were considered very extravagant by the standards of the time.

Guided tours are available if you request one in advance, or you’re welcome to show yourself around too if that’s more your speed.

6. Kaibab National Forest

Located in nearby Jacob Park, Arizona, Kaibab National Forest includes nearly 1.6 million acres of near-pristine northern Arizona mountains, canyons, and mesas that are full of natural beauty, history, and lore.

The national forest is a great place to visit if you’re driving between the Grand Canyon and Utah’s attractions.

It’s magnificent to see no matter the season, but is especially stunning in fall and winter when the Aspen tree leaves are changing color or covered with a dusting of snow.

Mountain rams, bison, and elk live in the forest too and may be viewed from many of the forest’s trails.

7. Little Hollywood Movie Museum

Considering it’s a free attraction, the Little Hollywood Movie Museum is one of the things to do when in the Fredonia area that really shouldn’t be missed.

Since the glory days of Hollywood movies, the area around Kanab, Utah has been a favorite shooting area and has hosted film crews and stars from nearly 100 movie productions that were filmed around the town.

Classics like The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Lone Ranger, and Gunsmoke are among the most notable.

The museum is full of classic Americana that is pretty unique, and not something to pass up, especially if you’re a movie buff.

8. Alstrom Point

If you’re the rugged type who likes getting of the well-beaten path, then a trip to Big Water, at Utah’s Alstrom Point would be a great choice.

Be warned, it’s in the middle of nowhere, and should really only be visited if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, or at least one with plenty of ground clearance.

Your reward for all that work will be most memorable views of Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

The area is a particular favorite of photographers, artists and majestic sunset seekers, so consider going in the afternoon if that’s something you’d like to see.

9. The Redstone Theater

Though it hasn’t been around for very long, Kanab’s Redstone Theater has quickly gained a reputation as a great place to see live entertainment and hit musicals.

If names like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash ring a bell and conjure pleasant memories of decades past, then you may just find an event at the theater that’ll tickle your fancy.

The theater hosts local talent as well as more professional productions, so check their website to see what’ll be in the lineup when you’re in the area.

The town is full of cafés and watering holes that are great stops before or after the show.

10. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

To a lot of people, the desert is a place of unmatched serenity, and the amazing scenery and landscape at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park may just make you feel like you’re on a different planet.

The park is off the beaten path, but getting there isn’t too difficult because the road is well marked with signs.

The park has areas where it’s OK to drive dune buggies and off-road vehicles, so if you go at peak times it could be noisier and more crowded than you’d like.

If that’s a scene you’d like to avoid, consider going during the week.

The sunsets over the dunes are amazing too.

11. Raven’s Heart Art Gallery

Raven’s Heart Art Gallery on West Center Street in Kanab represents and displays art from local and national artists, both established, and those who aren’t so well known but are making their mark.

You’ll find many different kinds of art here, much of which includes western themes and local materials like sterling and turquoise.

Paintings, jewelry and sculptures are included, and if you’re an artist who’s been short on inspiration, Raven’s Heart Art Gallery is a must-see when in the area.

Nearly all of the gallery’s pieces are originals and one-of-a-kind, and it’s a great place to pick up a keepsake or two.

12. Moqui Cave

Located inside an ancient sandstone cave that was carved from the rock by eons of erosion, Moqui Cave is privately owned, and the admission fee is very inexpensive.

The museum is located just off US Route 89 in Kanab, and it’s full of lots of fascinating stuff like fossilized dinosaur tracks and Native American artifacts from the Anasazi and Paiute people who called the area home for countless generations.

The museum’s façade is made to look like an Indian ruin, and it’s one of those quirky stops that’s filled with that that certain something that’s hard to put your finger on, but is usually referred to as Americana.

13. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Located in southern Utah near the town of Kanab, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has been a protected area since the ‘90s.

It’s interesting to note that the area is one of the least explored and most remote in the entire United States, and is the least mapped region of the country too.

The area is full of amazing geologic and Native American ruin sites, but due its vastness it’s wise to familiarize yourself before heading off into the wilderness never to be seen or heard from again.

Back country hiking permits are in short supply, and are only available by a lottery system.

14. Moccasin Dinosaur Tracks

Due to its ruggedness and vastness, the great Arizona and Utah deserts are full of places that are only accessible if you’ve got a 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle.

Moccasin Dinosaur Tracks site is one of them.

If you’re into off-roading and have the right set-up, you may find the drive to the site more enjoyable than the site itself.

The ancient dinosaur tracks are embedded in the area’s sedimentary rock, and are an eerie glimpse into a past that was ruled by massive animals and predators that make the ones we fear today seem like cuddly house pets.