Show Low
Around Show Low
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Town and around · Arizona · 109k people
Show Low
Locals say White Mountains
Where the pines meet the painted desert
Burnt OrangePonderosa Pine GreenCopper
Welcome to the White Mountains, where the pines are tall and the air is crisp. Whether you're here for the lakes, the ski slopes, or just to slow down, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors.
Clubs for Show Low
No clubs for Show Low yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Show Low. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Show Low. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Petrified Forest National Park Famous for colorful petrified wood and badlands
- Show Low Lake Popular for fishing and boating
- Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Family-friendly lake with swimming and picnic areas
- Sunrise Park Resort Largest ski area in Arizona
- Standin' on the Corner Park Winslow's tribute to the Eagles song
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument Spectacular canyon with cliff dwellings
- Outdoors Hike the White Mountain Trail
- Outdoors Fish at Show Low Lake
- With kids Visit the Petrified Forest National Park
- With kids Swim at Fool Hollow Lake
- Evenings Listen to live music at local bars
- Evenings Try your luck at Hon-Dah Casino
- Locals love Mountain lakes
- Locals love Pine forest trails
Through the year
- Show Low Summerfest July Music and arts festival
- Winslow Standin' on the Corner Festival September Celebrates the Eagles song
- Holbrook Route 66 Days May Car show and festival
- Navajo County Fair September County fair with livestock and rides
- Pinetop-Lakeside Bluegrass Festival August Bluegrass music performances
The White Mountains enjoy four distinct seasons with mild summers and snowy winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall when temperatures are pleasant. Best: Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Rim”
- The Mogollon Rim, a local landmark
- “High country”
- The elevated mountain region
- “Snowbirds”
- Winter visitors from colder climates
- “The Lake”
- Show Low Lake
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona State Sun Devils, University of Arizona Wildcats, Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Eat and drink
- Navajo fry bread A staple of the region, often served as Navajo tacos or with honey.
- Mutton stew Traditional Navajo dish, slow-cooked with vegetables.
- Green chile stew A Southwestern favorite with pork and Hatch green chiles.
- Route 66 diner fare Classic burgers, shakes, and pie at historic stops like Winslow and Holbrook.
Where people go
- Ponderosa pine forests The White Mountains are covered in these towering pines, perfect for hiking and camping.
- Red rock mesas Vivid sandstone formations and desert vistas, especially near the Painted Desert.
- Route 66 roadside stops Historic diners, motels, and trading posts in Winslow and Holbrook.
- Navajo trading posts
- Mountain lakes and reservoirs Popular for fishing, boating, and summer retreats.
- Ski resorts Sunrise Park Resort near Greer offers winter recreation.
Heritage and traditions
This region takes pride in its blend of Native American heritage, Old West and Route 66 history, and mountain recreation, with a strong sense of community in small towns.
This time of year in Show Low
- Fall aspen leaf peeping Fall Driving or hiking to see the golden aspens in September and October.
- Pinetop-Lakeside Mountain Arts Festival October Local artisans, live music, and mountain crafts.
Say it like a local: “the rez” — The Navajo Nation reservation.
Festivals
- Snowflake Pioneer Days July Celebrates the town's Mormon pioneer heritage with parades, rodeos, and reenactments.
- Navajo Nation Fair September The largest Native American fair in the country, held in nearby Window Rock; a regional draw for arts, rodeo, and traditional foods.
- Winslow's Annual Rockin' Route 66 Car Show May Classic cars, rockabilly music, and Route 66 nostalgia.
- Holbrook's Old West Days April Western reenactments, gunfights, and pioneer crafts.
- Pinetop-Lakeside Mountain Arts Festival October Local artisans, live music, and mountain crafts.
- Show Low Christmas in the Pines December Holiday lights, parades, and community gatherings.
Landmarks with a story
- Snowflake Arizona Temple A prominent Latter-day Saint temple, reflecting the town's Mormon heritage.
- La Posada Hotel in Winslow A restored Harvey House hotel, a landmark of the railroad and Route 66 era.
- Wigwam Motel in Holbrook Iconic Route 66 motel with concrete teepees, a symbol of the Mother Road.
- Old Trails Museum in Winslow Showcases local history, including Native American artifacts and pioneer items.
- Navajo Code Talkers Monument in Kayenta Honors the Navajo veterans who used their language as a code in WWII.
Food traditions
- Mormon funeral potatoes A cheesy potato casserole common at gatherings in Snowflake and other LDS communities.
- Navajo blue corn mush A traditional porridge made from blue corn, often served with honey or meat.
- Elk and venison stew A hearty dish from the hunting culture of the White Mountains.
- Apple pie from Eagar orchards Fresh apples from local orchards make a regional favorite.
- Green chile cheeseburgers A Southwestern classic, served in many local diners.
Music and arts
- Navajo rug weaving and silversmithing Traditional arts practiced and sold at trading posts.
- Bluegrass music Popular in the mountain towns, with festivals and jam sessions.
- Western and country music Common at local venues and events.
- Native American flute A spiritual and musical tradition in the region.
A little history
- 1870s Show Low founded after a card game
- 1878 Mormon pioneers founded Snowflake
- 1930s Route 66 brought travelers through Holbrook and Winslow
- 1864 Navajo Long Walk and return to the area
- 1900s Logging industry boomed in the White Mountains
Rivalries
- Show Low vs. Pinetop-Lakeside Friendly town rivalry over which is the better base
- Arizona State vs. Arizona College football rivalry
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Rodeos
- Outdoors Hunting elk and deer
- Outdoors Snowmobiling
- With kids Apple picking at local orchards
- With kids Sledding and tubing in winter
Locals speak with a relaxed Western accent, often using terms like 'the rez' for the Navajo reservation and 'the mountain' for the White Mountains. You'll hear 'howdy' and 'you bet' in casual conversation.
Only here
- Show Low's name comes from a card game – legend says a loser declared 'show low' and won.
- Snowflake is the only town in the U.S. named after two LDS leaders, Erastus Snow and William J. Flake.
- The Mogollon Rim is a 2,000-foot escarpment that forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
- The world's largest concentration of petrified wood is in the Petrified Forest, just south of Holbrook.
New here? A few tips
- Acclimate to the altitude (6,500+ feet) – drink plenty of water and take it easy the first few days.
- Learn to pronounce 'Mogollon' as 'mug-ee-own' – you'll hear it often.
- Respect tribal lands and always ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies.
- Get a fishing license before heading to the lakes – it's required.
- Winter driving can be treacherous; carry chains and know how to use them.
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Nearby
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Show Low, AZ. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.