Best Times of the Year for Family Vacations in Arizona

Arizona has a lot to offer your family in terms of a great vacation. From all the urban amenities and many professional sports in the Phoenix area to the natural beauty and depths of the Grand Canyon, this state has something for everyone. Figuring out what to do while here is a big question, but the biggest one of all might be deciding the best times of the year to vacation in Arizona.

In and Out of Phoenix

For most of the country, travel in and out of Arizona is likely to mean flying to Phoenix. The largest city of the state is also a great place to use as a base of operations for many day trips given its location and bountiful accommodations. U.S. News has a good breakdown of what Phoenix is like based on when you go.

The months of November through April are the best times to visit for most families who will be spending all or some of their time in Phoenix. You can enjoy blue skies with highs ranging from the upper 60s to the lower 80s. You might not notice the seasonal changes visually, however. There are no fall color changes for the leaves, nor do flowers bloom much in the spring.

If you want to save money, visit the earlier part of this season for lower rates. Booking several months in advance can save you even more money. Lodging and airfare will both start rising as February draws to a close and for all of March. Spring training for baseball and spring break across the country cause a double bump in demand and prices.

Summertime temperatures can average in the triple digits. The heat is formidable, but it’s also dry heat. If you’re from somewhere hot and humid, such as corners of the Southeast, then summer in Arizona might be a time of great deals at many luxury resorts.

May through October offers many great deals and low rates because anything from sunbathing to golfing is still hard to do. The heat in Arizona is hot and dry. You’ll find that there aren’t as many insects here as many other regions that contain more humid climates throughout most of the year. You’ll need more sunscreen than you might think.

A Year-Round Option

The weather in Antelope Canyon can be unpredictable, as with anything in nature. Still, the weather is usually cooperative enough that visiting the canyon and even taking guided tours is an option available every month of the whole year. That means you can work on a visit no matter when you and your family plan to visit Arizona.

Summer is the hottest, of course, and the crowds are at their thickest. However, your kids are more likely to be out of school, and the midday light is just magical. You’ve probably seen those midday beams and Antelope Canyon dozens of times in photos, videos, and movies, even if you don’t know the name of the place yet. You’ll recognize it when you do, though, and seeing this for yourself is an experience unlike any other in the state, perhaps with the notable exception of that bigger canyon.

Fall and spring have lower temperatures and crowds, and winter has the thinnest crowds of all. Snow can cancel some tours, but full refunds are offered. Guided tours are required for visiting. Just wandering around on your own is not permitted for safety reasons and to help preserve this natural beauty.

The Rest of the State

Outside of Phoenix, the best time to visit the state of Arizona can vary depending on what part of it you are visiting. Fall and spring usually bring fairly mild temperatures and weather to most of the state, and not just Antelope Canyon. Having said that, the months of October and November usually feature the best balance between comfortable weather and lower crowds for most of the state.

If the cheapest hotel rates are what you’re after then you already know it’s summer for Phoenix. That also applies to Tucson. It’s the opposite for Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. Your best deals on accommodations in those places will be in winter.

Whenever possible, your best bet is to visit in the middle of the week. There are always spikes in demand for tours, amenities, and accommodations on weekends.

You can also save more money by booking things three months in advance. Making reservations closer to that is still possible, but demand goes up while supply goes down. That means prices and options both get tighter.

Things to Do in Arizona

Outdoor enthusiasts in your family are going to love it here. There’s hiking all over the place in very distinct and memorable places, be it to the bottom of a canyon or through the Petrified National Forest. There’s also skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, rafting, and canoeing.

There are other ways to unwind, too. Many wineries call Arizona home, and there are luxury accommodations and yoga resorts spread all over.

Many Major League Baseball teams have their spring training here, so fans flock here in that season to see their favorite teams gearing up for the upcoming season.

There are also always festivals of some sort going on. From annual butterfly exhibitions to taco celebrations, visitors to Arizona can enjoy arts, culture, education, and entertainment anytime they come.

What to Pack

Whenever you wind up visiting Arizona, you need to pack three things, in particular, to be on the safe side:

• Lots of Clothes: Even in the same month, the temperatures can change a lot based on where you are in the state. Especially from day to night, the desert air can range from scorching highs to bitter lows. Be ready to dress in layers so you can stay flexible.
• Sunscreen: You’re going to need a lot of it if you spend any time outside. One application a day isn’t going to cut it.
• Bottled Water: You don’t have to pack this at home since you can buy plenty of it in Arizona, but you’ll need to keep plenty of it available. Dry heat can dehydrate you faster than you might think since you won’t feel your sweat evaporating so quickly.

Yes, It Does Actually Rain Here

The end of the summer season is also known as the monsoon season. When the rain comes, it can be a furious sight to behold. Fortunately, it’s not likely to rain so much that it keeps your family indoors most of your trip. In fact, the monsoon season often means brilliant lightning storms at night that bring flashes to the sky. Does anything beat a free light show?