When is the best time to Visit Arizona?
The best time to visit Arizona varies depending on your preferences and itinerary. However, generally speaking, spring and fall are the most ideal seasons to enjoy the state’s natural and cultural attractions without facing extreme weather or crowds.
Arizona has some of the best scenery you will find in the USA. You will love to visit all over the state, not just along the Colorado River. The Colorado River forms the famous Grand Canyon. But you will also find beauty in Sedona and the numerous National Parks that exist within the state.
Best Time to visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona
The Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Grand Canyon. You can visit in the summer, but it will be crowded, and we don’t recommend the winter.
The Grand Canyon is certainly a must see when visiting the northern part of Arizona. There are multiple ways to see the Canyon. Cos rafted down the Colorado River in his younger days. Depending on the time of the year, you can definitely get an exciting ride with some pretty challenging rapids. That is probably the best way to see the Canyon, and you have a number of options as to how many days you are on the river. You can put in the river up in Page, Arizona. And you have a number of ways to leave in addition to a tough hike up the cliff. If you choose this option, make sure you book it far in advance.
Back in the 90s, Cos took a pontoon raft with a guide. This was a safer ride than your own raft. Plus, he got to depart the canyon by helicopter. You can hike out, but you had better be in good shape as it is all straight up.
Most people will visit on the South Rim which has some great views and plenty of hikes and other attractions to keep the kids busy. To get there, it is just a short ride from Flagstaff and an hour longer from Sedona. For their recent visit, Cos and Robin flew in from Las Vegas by helicopter, passed the Hoover Dam and landed on the West Rim. It is not as dramatic as the South or North Rims but is still a very scenic experience. Check out our Tours Post, Viator or Get Your Guide for a great tour of the Canyon.
Horseshoe Bend in Northeast Arizona
However, for some real beauty, head up the Colorado River. Before you get to Page, Arizona, you will find Horseshoe Bend. It is one of the most beautiful places on the River. There is a very short, easy hike (fifteen minutes on a paved walk) from the parking area to the Bend in the river, and it is well worth the walk.
Sedona, Arizona
About an hour South of Flagstaff is Sedona, one of the most scenic places we have visited. Sedona is filled with large red sandstone formations that actually glow when the sun catches them usually early in the morning. There is an amazing Chapel, The Chapel of the Holy Cross not far from downtown. It is seventy feet high and sits atop a red rock cliff.
When is the best time to visit Flagstaff Arizona?
Flagstaff is at a much higher altitude than the southern part of the state. Therefore, unless you are planning on going skiing, April through September is probably your best choice.
There are three very scenic National Parks/Monuments in the Flagstaff area that are worth a visit: Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument where you gain great insight into what life and the community had been in this region. All three parks are within an hour drive.
Montezuma Castle
South of Flagstaff, near Sedona and Prescott is Montezuma Castle National Monument. The misnamed castle (Montezuma, the Aztec Chief, had nothing to do with the Castle’s construction) is a classic cliff dwelling built by native Sinagua Americans living in the area in the 12th to 15th century. It was built high on the cliff to avoid floods from the Beaver Creek. Remarkable to think of life on these cliffs!