The best time to visit Arizona in short
The best time to visit Arizona for a classic road trip is spring, from late March to May, and autumn, from late September to early November. In those weeks the desert is warm rather than hot, the Grand Canyon is mild, and the slot canyons around Page are dry.
The catch is altitude. Phoenix lies at around 340 metres, Sedona at about 1,300 metres, and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at roughly 2,100 metres. On the same day in January you can have shirt-sleeve weather in Phoenix and snow at the canyon. In July the rim stays comfortable while Phoenix averages well over 100 °F.
Arizona month by month
Average daily high and low in °F, rounded from NOAA climate normals for 1991 to 2020 (Phoenix Sky Harbor, Sedona, Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, Page). Tucson is similar to Phoenix, with nights a few degrees cooler.
| Month | Phoenix | Sedona | South Rim | Page | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68 / 46 | 58 / 34 | 44 / 19 | 45 / 26 | Desert high season, snow possible at the rim |
| February | 71 / 49 | 61 / 36 | 46 / 21 | 51 / 30 | Mild desert, busy and pricier in Phoenix |
| March | 78 / 55 | 68 / 40 | 54 / 25 | 62 / 38 | Spring break crowds, light beams begin late in the month |
| April | 86 / 61 | 75 / 44 | 61 / 29 | 71 / 44 | Ideal almost everywhere, first saguaro flowers |
| May | 95 / 70 | 84 / 53 | 70 / 36 | 81 / 54 | Desert heats up, North Rim season opens mid-May |
| June | 104 / 79 | 94 / 61 | 82 / 43 | 92 / 63 | Hottest and driest in the desert, peak season at the canyon |
| July | 107 / 85 | 97 / 68 | 85 / 50 | 97 / 70 | Monsoon storms, flash flood risk in slot canyons |
| August | 105 / 84 | 94 / 67 | 82 / 50 | 94 / 68 | Afternoon thunderstorms, humid in the desert |
| September | 100 / 78 | 89 / 61 | 76 / 44 | 85 / 59 | Storms fade, crowds thin after Labor Day |
| October | 89 / 66 | 79 / 51 | 65 / 33 | 71 / 47 | Excellent everywhere, light beams end early in the month |
| November | 77 / 54 | 67 / 41 | 53 / 25 | 55 / 35 | Desert season starts, cold nights on the plateau |
| December | 66 / 45 | 58 / 33 | 43 / 18 | 44 / 27 | Quiet at the canyon, snow possible, mild desert days |
Season by season
Which part of Arizona is at its best when.
Spring (March to May)
The best all-round season. Desert hikes are still comfortable in March and April, Sedona is warm, and the plateau thaws out. Expect full hotels during spring break and around Easter.
Road trip itineraries →Summer (June to August)
Go north. The South Rim and Page are pleasant, the North Rim is open, and light beams shine in Upper Antelope Canyon. Avoid hiking in the low desert, and plan for storms from July.
Autumn (September to November)
Our favourite. Fewer families after the school holidays, settled weather after the monsoon and warm days in Sedona. From November, the southern desert is lovely again.
Winter (December to February)
Ideal for Phoenix, Tucson, Saguaro National Park and Tombstone. The South Rim stays open but can see snow and icy roads. Few crowds, lower rates in the north.
Light beams in Antelope Canyon
The famous shafts of light in Upper Antelope Canyon appear only when the sun stands high enough to shine straight down into the slot. That happens roughly from late March to early October, around midday from about 11 am to 1:30 pm, and only on sunny days.
Midday slots in this season are the most expensive and the first to sell out, often weeks ahead. Outside the beam season the canyon is still beautiful, with soft, glowing colours and fewer people.
Details and timing tips are in our guides to Upper Antelope Canyon and Antelope Canyon tours.
Arizona tours for every season
Desert jeep tours in winter, canyon tours in summer and balloon flights at sunrise, with live prices and availability.
Monsoon season: storms and flash floods
The National Weather Service counts Arizona's monsoon from 15 June to 30 September. Most storms arrive from July to mid-September. Mornings are usually clear, clouds build by midday, and thunderstorms break out in the afternoon, sometimes with hail, dust storms and power cuts.
For visitors this matters in three ways:
- Slot canyons: rain miles away can send a flash flood through a dry canyon. Antelope Canyon tours are cancelled when there is a risk, so book a flexible ticket and keep a spare day in Page.
- Hiking: start early and be off exposed ridges and canyon rims by early afternoon because of lightning.
- Driving: never drive into a flooded wash. Water levels rise fast and roads can be washed out.
The upside: the storms make for dramatic skies at the Grand Canyon and some of the best sunsets of the year.
Grand Canyon seasons and crowds
The South Rim is open all year. Summer brings the most visitors and the longest queues at the entrance. In winter, snow can close roads for a few hours while they are cleared, but the views over a snow-dusted canyon are worth it.
The North Rim is seasonal, roughly mid-May to mid-October, and State Route 67 closes in winter. After the Dragon Bravo Fire in 2025, the North Rim reopened on 15 May 2026, but without lodging or drinking water. In autumn 2026 the park also paused overnight stays at the South Rim because of water restrictions. Check the current situation on the NPS website before you book.
Fees apply in every season. As of 2026 a private vehicle pays $35 for seven days, and non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person. Fee-free days now apply only to US residents.
Best time by destination
Quick answers for the most popular stops.
Sedona
Warm days for hikes and jeep tours. Summer afternoons are hot and stormy, winter mornings can be frosty.
Page and Lake Powell
Boat trips and light beams in the warm months. Watch for monsoon cancellations in July and August.
Monument Valley
Clear air and mild temperatures. Summer afternoons are hot and dusty, winter days are short.
Saguaro National Park
The cool season is best for hiking. Saguaro flowers peak from late May to early June, when you should hike at dawn.
Best time to visit Arizona: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Arizona?
April and October are the best all-round months. Both are warm in the desert, mild at the Grand Canyon and outside the monsoon season.
Is summer a bad time to visit Arizona?
Not if you stay north. The Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley are pleasant in June. Phoenix and Tucson are very hot, and from July afternoon storms can cancel canyon tours.
When is the monsoon in Arizona?
Officially from 15 June to 30 September. Most thunderstorms and flash floods happen between July and mid-September, usually in the afternoon.
Does it snow at the Grand Canyon?
Yes. The South Rim sits at about 2,100 metres and regularly sees snow in winter. The park stays open, but roads may close briefly for clearing.
When can you see the light beams in Antelope Canyon?
From about late March to early October, around midday and on sunny days, in Upper Antelope Canyon.