State 48 is truly a year-round destination for sun and fun. Still, there's definitely a best time to visit Arizona depending on where you plan to travel.
This Is the Best Time to Visit Arizona, According to a Local
Updated on Jul. 22, 2025
Arizona offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, world-renowned resorts and spas, and urban amenities that make for a great vacation destination for a wide range of travelers. There’s so much to see in each part of the state—for instance, a road trip to Arizona takes you from the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Phoenix to the unparalleled views of the Grand Canyon, with plenty of sights to behold along your journey. As such, the best time to visit Arizona varies based on the part of the state you’re planning to visit because you’ll find different climates spread throughout.
I can say confidently that Arizona is a state you’re going to want to explore. (I should know: I’ve lived in Phoenix for more than 20 years!) Thankfully, you don’t have to blow your entire travel budget in the process. There are plenty of options for affordable family vacations in the state.
Eager to book your trip? Read on for interesting insights about the best time to visit Arizona, how to book the cheapest stays and more travel tips.
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Why should you plan a trip to Arizona?
While the entire state is stunning, Arizona offers some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the United States, from the expansive Grand Canyon up north to Saguaro National Park down south. No matter your vacation style, you’ll find something worth exploring here.
For the adventurers
Arizona has a varied topography, making it well-suited to a range of adventure sports and outdoor activities. If you love rock climbing, trekking, hiking, biking or just being outdoors, this state is perfect for you.
For the beach-lovers
You don’t have to head to the ocean for a budget-friendly vacation by the water. Whether you want to take a cool dip or have a wet-and-wild adventure, Arizona is the place to be.
A common notion is that Arizona is a vast desert, but there are plenty of water-based activities too—beyond the pools you’ll find at hotels and resorts. Raft the Colorado River, go tubing in the Salt River, enjoy boating and jet skiing on Lake Pleasant or Lake Powell, and take a dip in one of several hot springs.
For the cultural experts
Arizona has a rich Native American history and culture—there are 22 federally recognized tribes in the state—which you can experience through visits to various historical sites, festivals, galleries and museums.
For the gourmands
The food scene in Arizona features everything from celebrity chef–driven restaurants and five-star cuisine to tasty creations from taco trucks and hole-in-the-wall eateries. Of course, you’ll find plenty of Mexican and Southwestern options, but don’t overlook the global flavors talented chefs from other cities and countries have brought to state 48.
In fact, Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy (the first city in the country to earn this designation), which honors the city’s culinary heritage dating back 4,000 years.
When is the weather the best in Arizona?
Truly, any time is the best time to visit Arizona. When it’s too hot in Phoenix and Tucson, it’s usually the best time to visit Sedona and Flagstaff. And when it’s snowing in Sedona and Flagstaff, it’s usually a beautiful day down south.
The best time to visit Arizona for the best weather depends on where you’re vacationing, though temperatures are most mild in spring and fall. If you don’t like the weather where you are in Arizona, drive two hours in a different direction and it’ll probably be perfect. Seriously!
- If you’re in it for the sunshine: Arizona is one of the best places to travel for a sun-soaked trip. Phoenix sees about 300 sunny days a year (it’s the sunniest city in the nation). Even Flagstaff, which is farther north in the mountains, sees about 260 days of sunshine annually. The average rainfall in Arizona is only 12.26 inches, making it one of the driest states in the country.
- In the winter: High temperatures range from the high 60s in Phoenix and Tucson to the high 50s in Sedona and low 40s in Flagstaff.
- In spring: You can travel to any of those areas and feel comfortable, whether it’s a high of a dry 85 in Tucson, a wonderfully mild 75 degrees in Sedona or a cooler 59 degrees in Flagstaff.
- In the fall: The average high temperature may reach the high 80s in Phoenix and Tucson, but it’ll hover in the 60s and 70s in Flagstaff and Sedona, respectively.
- In the summer: Admittedly, it can be sweltering, with Phoenix and Tucson hitting an average high temp of 100 degrees—and above. Sedona hovers at an average of 95 degrees, while Flagstaff averages a more bearable high of around 69 degrees. Watch out for summer monsoons in Phoenix, which happen between mid-June and the end of September, as those can produce higher humidity, heavy rain, lightning, hail, high winds, flash flooding and dust storms.
What is the most popular month to go to Arizona?
It’s always high season somewhere in Arizona, but the maximum number tourists throng the state during the spring and fall months. However, the exact timing and location changes based on which city you’re visiting.
Here is what you need to know about the best time to visit Arizona, according to the location you select and the month you take your trip.
The best time to visit Phoenix and Scottsdale
The most popular time to visit Phoenix and Scottsdale is February through April, when Cactus League Spring Training baseball games are in full swing and the weather is absolutely gorgeous. This is when Phoenix and Scottsdale host crowd-drawing annual events, like the Phoenix Open golf tournament and Barrett-Jackson car auction.
Of course, this is also when you’ll find the area at its busiest and most expensive, as it’s probably the best time to visit Arizona overall. If you plan to visit in the spring, be sure to book a hotel or motel far in advance (and do the same with the iconic restaurants if you have your heart set on a specific dining experience).
Depending on where you’re headed, the high season may start even earlier. Take Phoenix, for instance. With folks in colder climates retreating to their second homes in the warm, sunny city when temperatures cool, Phoenix fills up from October through April.
The best time to visit Tucson
A couple hours south in Tucson, nary a room can be had during the first two weeks of February. A hidden travel gem, this is when the world’s largest gem show takes place. Even outlying communities’ rooms fill up for this sparkly show.
Beyond that, fall and winter are still popular vacation times. Like Phoenix, Tucson also sees a lot of “snowbird” activity from October through April, as this is when part-time residents flee their snowy and cold primary residences in favor of a mild winter at their second homes.
If your ideal visit is affordable and free of crowds, the best time to take a trip to Tucson might just be spring. You’ll be the snowbird rush while avoiding the sweltering summer temps.
The best time to visit Sedona and Flagstaff
Come summer, when temperatures can rise to an unbearable 110 degrees (and more) for several months in the Phoenix Valley and Tucson, it is the best time to visit Arizona’s northern regions, such as Sedona or Flagstaff. Here, you’ll find less-debilitating daytime temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees. (Though you’ll still need to pack the sunscreen.)
But Sedona’s best temperatures are generally from March to June and then again during the October and November shoulder season. It’s not uncommon to see a little snow from December through February, but it’s generally more of a dusting that melts off by noon the next day. Even in the chilliest months (January is the coldest), the average high temperature sits in the 40s and 50s, although it freezes at night.
Flagstaff is busy in the summer because it is much cooler than the desert communities and because of its proximity to some of Arizona’s iconic scenery (such as the Grand Canyon). But it also has stunning scenery for snow seekers and skiers in the winter, thanks to Mount Humphreys, a 12,633-foot peak. (For reference, Flagstaff sits at around 7,000 feet elevation.)
What is the cheapest time to travel to Arizona?
The best time to visit Arizona is unlikely to coincide with the least expensive time to visit. In the summer, it’s common to find hotel deals of 30% to 40% off in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson, but navigating the extreme heat will be your trade-off for this affordable four- and five-star luxury.
The least expensive time to visit Sedona is January and February or August—although “cheap” is a relative term for this small town. And Flagstaff rates are higher in the summer and on weekends during ski season, so avoid those time frames.
Where should you book your stay in Arizona?
Now that you’ve zeroed in on the best time to visit Arizona, it’s time to start looking at hotel options. These three are the best of the bunch, whether you’re popping in for a quick trip or booking an extended stay. (There’s no right amount of days to spend in the state, though if you have a packed itinerary or plan to travel from end to end, you may need more than a few days to see everything; a week gives you more wiggle room.)
- Phoenix: Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale is a must-stay spot. It lives in the shadow of the area’s iconic Camelback Mountain and offers a gorgeous pool and excellent golf.
- Tucson: The historic Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort delivers southwestern charm in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, with 34 acres of natural desert landscape and beautiful botanical gardens.
- Sedona: When visiting the famous red rocks and the banks of the area’s meandering Oak Creek, choose the romantic L’Auberge de Sedona as your stay. And be sure to book a relaxing treatment at L’Apothecary Nature Spa while you’re there.
FAQs
What are the three hottest months in Arizona?
The three hottest months are undoubtedly June, July and August. The hottest month in Phoenix is July, with an average high temperature of 106 degrees. However, these are also the months when you can travel on a budget.
What is the best month to go to the Grand Canyon?
The best months to visit this stunning sight fall between March and May, or between September and November. The ideal time to go to the Grand Canyon is the shoulder season: the transition time between the high and low seasons.
What is the best time of year to visit Sedona, Arizona?
Sedona’s best temperatures are generally from March to June and then again during October and November. However, if you want to spend less and travel on a tight budget, you can visit during the summer months. The temperatures in Sedona during summer are much more bearable than the rest of Arizona.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on the best time to visit Arizona, Jill Schildhouse tapped her experience as an Arizona resident and travel writer. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Heard Museum: “Arizona Indian Communities”
- Tucson City of Gastronomy: “UNESCO”
- Visit Arizona: “Weather”
- City of Flagstaff: “Community Overview”
- Tripadvisor: “Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale”
- Tripadvisor: “Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort”
- Tripadvisor: “L’Auberge De Sedona”
- Weather Spark: “Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Phoenix”
- Visit Arizona: “First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon”
