Arizona is a year-round vacation destination, but there are definitely times of the year that are better than others. If you’re looking for a crystal clear view of the Grand Canyon or a taste of the wild west at Tombstone, then you need to time your visit just right. To help you decide when is best to visit Arizona, we’ve compiled this list of the best time to vacation in Arizona for every season.

Whether you’re a native of Arizona or were simply passing through, the words “great vacation spot” probably came to mind at some point. And with good reason: its year-round warm weather and scenic wonders make it a popular destination for America’s most famous travelers. That includes me: I’ve written up some helpful tips for a vacation to arizona, and would love to share them with you.

When is the best time to visit Arizona? Given Arizona’s year-round pleasant 75-degree temperatures, it’s tempting to think of this southern state as a summer vacation destination. It is true that many parts of Arizona are scorching hot in the summer, but there are also mountain areas and areas near the coast offering cooler weather. The best time to go depends on where you want to visit. 

The best time to vacation in Arizona is any time of year.

The state has a warm climate and abundant natural beauty, so it’s easy to find fun things to do wherever you go.

Arizona is known for its hiking and camping, so if you’re looking for an outdoorsy getaway, consider going during any of the following seasons:

Spring: March through May – This is when the weather starts to warm up in Arizona. You’ll still be able to enjoy the cooler evenings without being too cold at night.

Summer: June through September – It’s hot in Arizona during this time of year, but there are plenty of ways to stay cool while still enjoying all its attractions! You can visit one of the many water parks or build your own sandcastle at an outdoor beach resort like The Wave or CoCo Key Water Resort. Or if you’re looking for something more low-key, try renting paddleboats or kayaks at Lake Pleasant Regional Park on Lake Pleasant just north of Phoenix.

Fall: October through December – This is when temperatures start getting cooler again and it’s less crowded than other times throughout the year–making it perfect for families who want

Best time to vacation in Arizona

The best time to visit Arizona is during the months of April, May, September and October. The days are warm and sunny, but not too hot. There is a good chance of seeing some rain during these months though. If you are planning on visiting the Grand Canyon or Sedona in the springtime then you should book your trip well in advance as these areas get very busy with tourists during this time.

If you are planning on exploring southern Arizona then March and April are also good months to visit if you want to avoid the crowds that come with summer holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day.

ARIZONA

When to Go in Arizona

Arizona is a year-round destination, although people head to different parts of the state at different times of the year. In Phoenix, Tucson, and other parts of the desert, the high season runs from October to mid-May, with the highest hotel rates from January to April. At the Grand Canyon, summer is the busy season.

The all-around best times to visit are spring and autumn, when temperatures are cool in the mountains and warm in the desert, but without extremes (although you shouldn’t be surprised to get a bit of snow as late as Memorial Day in the mountains and thunderstorms in the desert Aug-Sept). Late spring and early autumn (specifically May and Sept) are also good times to save money — low summer rates are still in effect at the desert resorts — and to see the Grand Canyon when it’s not its most crowded. In spring, you might also catch great wildflower displays, which begin in March and last until May, when the tops of saguaro cacti are covered with waxy white blooms.

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One more thing to keep in mind: Sedona is just high enough that it actually gets cold in the winter — sometimes it even snows. So if you’re looking for sunshine and time by the pool, book your Sedona vacation for a time other than the winter.

Weather

The first thing you should know is that the desert can be cold as well as hot. Although winter is the prime tourist season in Phoenix and Tucson, night temperatures can be below freezing and days can sometimes be too cold for sunning or swimming. However, although there can be several days in a row of cool, cloudy, and even rainy weather in January and February, on the whole, winters in Arizona are positively delightful. In higher-elevation areas, of course, you’ll find traditional winter weather. Don’t be surprised to see snow as late as Memorial Day in the mountains.

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In the winter, sun seekers flock to the deserts, where temperatures average in the high 60s (low 20s Celsius) by day. In the summer, when desert temperatures top 110°F (43°C), the mountains of eastern and northern Arizona are pleasantly warm, with daytime averages in the low 80s (high 20s Celsius). Yuma is one of the desert communities where winter temperatures are the highest in the state, while Prescott and Sierra Vista, in the 4,000- to 6,000-foot elevation range, claim temperate climates that are just about ideal.

If you happen to be visiting the desert in July or August, be prepared for sudden thunderstorms and dust storms. Storms often cause flash floods that make many roads briefly impassable. Looks for signs warning motorists not to enter low areas when flooded, and take them seriously.

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Also, don’t even think about venturing into narrow slot canyons, such as Antelope Canyon near Page or the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, if there’s any chance of a storm anywhere in the region. Rain falling miles away can send flash floods roaring down narrow canyons with no warning. In 1997, several hikers died when they were caught in a flash flood in Antelope Canyon, and in 2009, a flash flood inundated the parking lot at Sedona’s Tlaquepaque shopping center.

Holidays

Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year’s Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents’ Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans’ Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2020)