Williams, Railroad town in Northern Arizona, United States.
Williams is a small town in northern Arizona, set among pine forests at around 2,060 meters elevation. Six street blocks preserve historic buildings along the former path of Route 66.
The settlement began in 1881 as a railroad town and remained the last city on Route 66 until 1984, when Interstate 40 opened. Its development followed the rhythm of the railroad and later automobile traffic.
The name honors trapper and mountain guide William Sherley Williams, who traveled through the region in the 19th century. The townscape still shows architecture from the railroad and early automobile road era.
The depot serves the train connection to Grand Canyon National Park with several departures daily. Downtown can be explored on foot, as the historic blocks sit close together.
Seven fishing lakes lie around the area and draw anglers during the warmer months. Bill Williams Mountain rises to about 2,820 meters and offers hiking trails plus a small ski area in winter.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.