Outdoor Adventures

Campus Rec Bike HUB
Open Monday through Friday from 10 AM-3 PM. Bring your bike in for a repair or tune-up. Use our tools to fix your bike on your own.
Campus Rec Climbing Wall
Open Monday through Friday from 3 PM- 9 PM for free for all current NAU students.
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Outdoor Adventures
The Outdoor Adventures Trip Program is up and running, hosting trips almost every weekend. We look forward to seeing you there! OA also has a basecamp rental program where you can rent anything you may need during your next adventure. Be sure to check out the Climbing Wall in the HLC. Lastly, if you want to go on an adventure on your own, we have many links to hikes across Arizona and a fully loaded cookbook full of recipes we recommend trying on your next trip. Click the links below and begin exploring!
Outdoors is located in Campus Recreation on the first floor if you walk past the stairs and take a right, and continue down the hallway. You can also check us out from our outside entrance. Turn to Mountain View Drive and through the parking lot of the HLC on the south side of the building to find us. If you need help locating our facility, ask the front desk workers at campus recreation for help.
Outdoor Adventure Trips
Ready to expand your experience at NAU by going on one of our Outdoor Adventure Trips? If so this is the place for you! OA offers many explorations almost every weekend during the school year. We also offer Wilderness Welcome trips for freshmen students prior to the first week of school. From biking to hiking and also rappelling, camping, kayaking, and so much more. Check out our trips website for information on all our trips.
Outdoor Equipment Rentals
All equipment is rented on a first-come first served basis. There are no reservations.
- Equipment must be returned in the same working order and clean. Any excessively dirty or broken equipment will incur a damage fee. Any equipment returned after the return date will incur a late fee.
Equipment Available
Equipment | Price |
---|---|
2 Person Tent | $8 |
4 Person Tent | $12 |
Sleeping Bags (0 or 20 degree) | $8 |
Backpacking Backpack | $10 |
Deluxe Camping Chair | $6 |
Crazy Creek Chair | $4 |
Cots | $8 |
Foam Sleeping Pad | $4 |
Inflatable Sleeping Pad | $6 |
Paco Bag | $15 |
Shade Tarp | $4 |
Critter Sack | $2 |
Trekking Pole | $4 |
Cooking | Price |
Backpacking Pot Kit (stove included) | $4 |
Cooler | $4 |
Dutch Oven | $10 |
2 Burner Stove | $8 |
Biking | Price |
Mountain Bike (includes helmet and lock) | $25 |
Snow | $10 |
Snowshoes | $10 |
Climbing | $15 |
Crashpad | $15 |
Water | Price |
Hardshell Paddle Board | $25 |
Inflatable Paddle Board | $30 |
Single Inflatable Kayak | $30 |
Tandem Inflatable Kayak | $40 |
Large Dry Bag | $10 |
Small Dry Bag | $5 |
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) | $5 |
Climbing Wall
Who can use the climbing wall? Accordion Closed
- All Northern Arizona University students, Campus Recreation members, and member guests may access the climbing wall free of charge during open climb hours.
- You can purchase a non-member pass at the front desk of the Recreation Center when sponsored by a member.
- Participation in clinics and programs such as family day, as well as climbing competitions is available to HLC non-members without sponsorship.
- Contact OA if you would like more information on how to rent the climbing wall.
First time visiting our wall? Accordion Closed
We encourage Northern Arizona University students and faculty/staff with all levels of climbing experience and ability to drop by the wall during open hours.
Simply check in at the desk by the climbing wall where our friendly staff will:
- give you a blank Liability Waiver to complete. It is mandatory that we have a complete form for each individual who enters the climbing area. Minors will need to provide a form signed by a parent or guardian
- provide you with a facility orientation
- teach you how to check out and use climbing gear
When can I climb? Accordion Closed
Monday- Friday from 3 PM- 9 PM
What should I bring? Accordion Closed
We provide climbers with harnesses, shoes, ropes, and belay devices (if you are certified to use them) free of charge.
If you are borrowing shoes, please bring socks. They are required.
You are welcome to bring and use your own shoes, harnesses, belay devices, and chalk bags with chalk socks or liquid chalk only. However, staff have the authority to deem gear inappropriate for use at the climbing wall.
Belay Policy Accordion Closed
Safety is our priority at the Climbing Wall. All roped climbers must be belay certified through one of our belay clinics. We offer belay clinics often at Campus Rec, so stay tuned for more information on our next clinic!
Belay certification process
Our process is as follows:
- Attend a belay clinic. The clinic is not required if you already know how to belay and are able to pass the belay test without taking the clinic.
- Take the belay test. You will demonstrate proficiency in belaying and equipment usage.
We ask all participants to use the PBUS belay method, Pull, Break, Under, Slide.
Our belay card system
Belay cards help our staff easily identify individuals both new and experienced so they can more efficiently supervise and provide assistance to climbers at the wall. Our cards include:
- beginner belay card (expires after 6 weeks)
- competent belay card (expires after 1 year)
- lead card (expires after 6 months)
Rules and Regulations Accordion Closed
General
The climbing wall’s general rules and regulations are as follows:
- Always check in at the climbing wall desk prior to using the facility.
- Outdoor Adventures belay certification is required to belay.
- Only climbing equipment and water bottles are allowed in the gym area.
- Shirt and shoes are required at all times.
- Only climbing shoes are allowed on the wall.
- Keep fingers out of bolt hangers and quick draws.
- If you have a medical condition that may limit or affect your or others’ participation in this activity, like heart conditions, injuries, or epilepsy, please consult your doctor to determine if this activity is right for you.
- Women who are pregnant are not permitted to climb and individuals with an uncontrolled condition which causes loss of consciousness are not permitted to belay at this facility.
Bouldering specific
The following are the climbing wall’s bouldering specific rules and regulations:
- Spotting and use of crash pads is highly recommended.
- Keep hands below the bouldering line.
- Topping-out on the bouldering cave is not permitted.
- Yield wall space to roped climbers.
Climbing Programs Accordion Closed
Campus Rec has several climbing events for the student population such as belay clinics, community specific clinics, and other inclusive events to bring people to the climbing wall.
Resource Center Accordion Closed
Area information
Flagstaff is an amazing city for local outdoor recreation. Here you can summit peaks, boat rivers and lakes, climb massive spires, or mountain bike miles of trail all within a few minutes of town. There is something in Northern Arizona for everyone, what is your outdoor passion? Come into NAU Outdoor Adventures to check out our Map Resource Center. Knowledgeable staff can help you build a personalized trip that is right for you!
Need gear? Don’t worry, at Outdoor Adventures you can rent all the equipment you need for overnight camping or backpacking trips.
Altitude
Flagstaff sits at a hefty 7,000 ft. above sea level. It can take up to 3 weeks to become fully acclimated to the high altitude. Common side effects of acute mountain sickness are: headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, trouble sleeping, and fatigue.
Safety tips
- Prepare! Plan well & check the weather
- Hydrate! Drink more water than normal
- Be smart! Start slow and build up
- Sun screen! You are closer to the sun
Hiking
Mountain biking
Additional mountain biking information
Rent one of our mountain bikes!
Climbing
Additional climbing information
Water sports
Additional water sports information
Nearby national treasures
- The Grand Canyon National Park
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Wupatki National Monument
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Barringer Meteor Crater
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Antelope Canyon
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Canyon De Chelly National Monument
- Glen Canyon
- Monument Valley
- Havasu Falls
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area