Williams Fact Sheet
Williams, AZ: Gateway to the Grand Canyon
Overview: Known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" and for being the home of the famous Bill Williams Mountain Men; Williams, Ariz. is at an elevation of 6,770 feet, providing a moderate climate within Kaibab National Forest.
Founded in 1874, the town's current population is approximately 2,900. The downtown business district of Williams is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and many of the downtown buildings were constructed around 1900.
Williams has more than two dozen motels, several RV parks, a number of restaurants, Native American jewelry and curio shops.
Activities: Within an 18-mile radius of town, there are seven lakes and reservoirs, which support several species of fish dominated by trout. Hunting for big game such as mule deer, elk and antelope is also popular in the area.
Other attractions include downhill and cross country skiing, golf and hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The community hosts a variety of events each year, including a PRCA rodeo.
Additional attractions and historic features can be found just 32 miles east in Flagstaff, home of the respected Museum of Northern Arizona, world-renowned Lowell Observatory, Riordan Mansion, Snow Bowl Ski Resort and Northern Arizona University.
Where: Williams is located just off Interstate 40. Historic Route 66 is its main street.
Public Contact: For Williams, Ariz. media inquiries, call Donna Eastman at 928-635-0273 ext. 202.
Media Contacts: For Grand Canyon National Park media inquiries, call Maureen Oltrogge at 928-638-7779.
For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway, contact Steven R. Martin
at 928-773-1976 ext. 2249 or smartin@thetrain.com