Historic Williams, AZ, near the Grand Canyon

Known as "The Gateway to the Grand Canyon," historic Williams, Arizona has a rich and notorious past, scenic mountain beauty, and just enough modern touches to keep up with the times! Western nostaligia seekers have definitely found a place to hang their hat in this old one-time frontier town!

Since its rough and tumble days, a great deal has changed in Williams, but you can't tell by looking! Many of the old buildings from 1800 are still here, like saloons and bordellos, and many more have been restored to preserve the rich history for future generations.

The town, founded in 1800, gets its name from an early day trapper named William "Old Bill" Williams, who ranched, worked the Santa Fe Rail Line, and old lumber mills. The town's tourism grew from the Grand Canyon tours that sprang up(Williams is a mere 58 miles south of the Grand Canyon).

Williams is an ideal tourist location because it is located close to Flagstaff, Sedona, the South Rim, and other Northern Arizona Tourist destinations. The modern day hotels are offset by the quaint historical bed and breakfasts that still exist today. This satisfies all tourists-those seeking nostalgia, and those seeking modern amenities.

After all this time, however, the town is still very much western, and architecture is reminiscent of those Old Wild West days. In addition, to the history that abounds, Williams offers a contrast in scenic wonders-mesmerizing mountains complemented by thickly-pined forests.

The town stays hopping with family-fun events year-round, as well as attractions like Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, home of the second-largest canyon in Arizona, great fishing and camping at Cataract Lake, Kaibab Lake, Dogtown Lake, and Whitehorse Lake. The Williams area offers excellent downtown skiing, sledding, and nearby cross-country sk trails. If you're an avid hunter, check out Kaibab National Forest, which surrounds Williams. Here, you'll find over 200 campsites and seasonal hunting for deer, elk, mountain lions and bear.

So, on your way to the Grand Canyon, stop and spend some time here first. You'll say good-bye to any stresses in your life, and a get a much-needed break from the present in Williams, where you'll find no traffic lights within 30 miles!