Founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1901, Williams, the city and the mountain, were named for William S. Bill Williams, a famous master trapper and scout on the Santa Fe Trail. The Grand Canyon Railroad offers historic steam-engine train rides between Williams and the Grand Canyon. In addition to the Grand Canyon, attractions in the Williams area include Bill Williams Mountain, elevation 9,264 feet, and White Horse Lake and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area to the south. Air and ground scenic tours are available in Williams. The surrounding Kaibab National Forest provides hunting for deer, turkey, antelope, elk, lion and bear in season.
Small game includes rabbit, squirrel, quail, dove, duck and geese.
For the fishing enthusiast, six well-stocked lakes surround Williams. Camping is available with 200 National Forest campsites and 300 private sites serving the surrounding region. The Williams Ski Area provides downhill skiing and sledding during the winter months and there are cross-country ski trails nearby.