Spring
March through May is prime time: wildflowers, comfortable hiking temperatures and spring training baseball in the Phoenix area.
American Southwest
Red rock, wide skies and canyons so big they make you go quiet, with a great spa or golf course waiting at the end of the day.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Best time to go
- March to May and September to November; winter for Scottsdale and Palm Springs
- Trip length
- 5 to 10 days
- From Atlanta
- About 4.5 hours nonstop to Phoenix
- Time difference
- 3 hours behind Atlanta in summer, 2 in winter (Arizona)
- Entry
- No passport needed
- Getting around
- Rental car or private driver, plus scenic flights
Why the Southwest feels like another planet
Big landscapes, big skies and small, wonderful towns in between.
A classic trip starts in Scottsdale, then heads north to Sedona’s red rocks, the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and Monument Valley. From Las Vegas, Zion and Death Valley are easy add-ons, and Santa Fe brings adobe architecture, art galleries and some of the best food in the region.
It’s a natural fit for couples and active travelers, and for anyone who wants to pair big landscapes with a great spa.
Drive times
- Scottsdale to SedonaAbout 2 hours
- Sedona to the Grand CanyonAbout 2 hours
- Grand Canyon to Monument ValleyAbout 3 hours
- Las Vegas to ZionAbout 2.5 hours
- Las Vegas to Death ValleyAbout 2 hours
- Albuquerque to Santa FeAbout 1 hour
When to go
The best months, the busy weeks and the quieter windows, so you can choose the trip that fits.
- JanDesert golf and spa season
- FebSunny desert days
- MarWildflowers, spring training
- AprPerfect hiking weather
- MayWarm, crowds thin
- JunHot below, cool up high
- JulMonsoon storms
- AugMonsoon storms
- SepCooling off
- OctIdeal hiking, Balloon Fiesta
- NovClear and comfortable
- DecFarolitos in Santa Fe
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan1.8″
Feb2.0″
Mar1.9″
Apr0.9″
May0.5″
Jun0.3″
Jul1.7″
Aug2.3″
Sep1.6″
Oct1.4″
Nov1.2″
Dec1.5″
Jan0.6″
Feb0.6″
Mar0.8″
Apr0.7″
May0.9″
Jun1.0″
Jul2.3″
Aug2.4″
Sep1.5″
Oct1.2″
Nov0.7″
Dec0.7″
Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Summer
June is hot in the low desert, and July and August bring dramatic afternoon monsoon storms. Higher towns like Santa Fe and Flagstaff stay pleasant.
Fall
September cools things down, and October and November are ideal for hiking. Early October is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which books up a year ahead.
Winter
Scottsdale, Palm Springs and Death Valley shine in winter, with sunny days for golf and spa time. Sedona and the Grand Canyon can see snow, which is beautiful but can close roads.
Where to go
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Sedona
Red rock trails, jeep tours, stargazing and some of the country’s best spa resorts.
Best for Couples, hiking, spas
Grand Canyon South Rim
Open year-round, with the classic viewpoints, historic lodges and helicopter flights over the canyon.
Best for Bucket-list views
Scottsdale & Phoenix
Desert golf, spring training, great restaurants and resort pools.
Best for Golf, winter sun
Monument Valley
The iconic buttes of the Navajo Nation, best seen with a Navajo guide on a backcountry tour.
Best for Photography, culture
Zion & Bryce Canyon
Utah’s showpiece parks: the Narrows in Zion, and Bryce’s hoodoos glowing at sunrise.
Best for Hikers, families
Santa Fe & Taos
Adobe architecture, art galleries, nearby hot springs like Ojo Caliente, and red or green chile on everything.
Best for Art, food, culture
Palm Springs
Mid-century style, pool days and desert golf, with Joshua Tree about an hour away.
Best for Winter sun, design lovers
Death Valley
Sand dunes, salt flats and some of the darkest night skies in the country, best from November to March.
Best for Road trippers, stargazers
From the travel blog
Sedona in winter
Red rock trails without the crowds, cozy resorts and the occasional dusting of snow.
Read the guideGood to know
The small things that make a big difference once you arrive.
Start early
Hike in the morning and save afternoons for the pool or the spa, especially from May through September.
Permits and reservations
Some hikes, like Angels Landing in Zion, need permits, and busy parks may require reservations. We take care of it.
Navajo Nation
Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon are on Navajo land and visited with Navajo guides.
Mind the elevation
Sedona sits around 4,300 feet, the South Rim near 7,000 and Santa Fe around 7,200. Drink plenty of water and take day one easy.
Time zones
Most of Arizona doesn’t change clocks for daylight saving time, but the Navajo Nation does, so tour times can shift.
See it from above
A helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon is one of those splurges nobody regrets.
Questions we hear a lot
When is the best time to visit the Southwest?
Spring and fall are ideal for hiking and sightseeing. Winter is perfect for Scottsdale, Palm Springs and Death Valley. Summer is hot in the desert but lovely at higher elevations.
How many days do we need?
Five days covers Scottsdale, Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Seven to ten adds Monument Valley, Zion or Santa Fe.
Should we fly into Phoenix or Las Vegas?
Phoenix for Scottsdale, Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Las Vegas for Zion, Bryce and Death Valley. Some trips fly into one and out of the other.
Can we see the Grand Canyon as a day trip?
From Sedona, yes. But a night at the rim to see sunset and sunrise is well worth it.
Is the Southwest good for families?
Absolutely. Junior Ranger programs, easy rim walks, jeep tours and pool days keep every age happy.
Let’s plan your Southwest trip
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.