When is the Best Time to Visit Tucson?
If you were to ask ten different Tucson natives their favorite time of year in Tucson, you would likely get ten different answers. Tucson, Arizona is such a vibrant city full of life and variety, and there is always something to do or some sort of adventure to be had. So, really, the answer is that it depends on what your preferences are and what you want to do! If you ask us, anytime is a great time to visit Tucson! Before we dig into the best time, let’s look at what Tucson is like over the course of the year.
Tucson’s Five Seasons
Did you know that Tucson actually has five seasons? Yep, that’s right. Tucson’s climate truly goes through five different seasons through the course of a year. First up, there’s winter, in December, January, and February, when the temps are generally moderate during the day and cold at night. We have a 20-30 degree temperature swing daily, so even if it’s nice during the day, pack a jacket as the desert temps dip as soon as the sun goes down.
Tucson experiences spring from late February to early May. Temperatures rise a bit, and the sun comes out, along with the people. You’ll see wildflowers blooming and the desert turns green if we enjoyed a wetter-than-usual winter. Hiking trails become more populated, and there are many events and festivals around the city. It’s perfect weather to adventure by day and relax by the fire pit or hot tub at night.
Then comes summer. Well, actually Tucson has two summers, which is what gives it five seasons total. The first summer is the dry summer, from mid-May through early July. This is where the desert gets its reputation of, “but it’s a dry heat.” Dry summer is when the desert heats up, and June and July can often be the hottest months of the year. While temps can be in the 90-100s during the day, the daily temperature swing means there’s relief overnight as it cools to the 70s or 80s. And with low humidity, it feels surprisingly comfortable! If you want to go hiking, make sure to get an early start and rise with the sun. If you love nature, you’re in for a treat. May and June is also when the prickly pear and saguaro cacti bloom, and you can see some incredible flowers that you aren’t able to see any other time or place.
After dry summer comes wet summer, mid-July through early September. This is southern Arizona’s monsoon season, and it is quite amazing if you haven’t experienced it before. Huge storms roll through on almost a nightly basis and fill the desert with pouring rains, the heavenly scent of creosote, and breathtaking lightning shows.
Rounding out the year comes fall, from late September to December, a welcome respite from the months of heat. The storms calm down, and the trails are once again filled with adventure-seekers looking to experience the beauty of the desert fall. And with just a quick drive up the hill, the foliage up on Mt. Lemmon gives quite the colorful show. If you’ve never had Thanksgiving dinner on the patio, Tucson can help you check that off your bucket list!
As you can see, Tucson is a vibrant city with plenty of reasons to visit year-round. Here are some of the best things to do in Tucson during each season:
Spring: Late February - EARLY May
Prickly pear at The Verde house blooming, which will turn to fruit in July.
Spring is such a vibrant time of year in southern Arizona. Visiting Tucson in the spring is always a good idea, and your trip will be full of so many things to do! First up, is to enjoy the blooming desert wildflowers in Catalina State Park, Saguaro National Park, and really just anywhere on the desert floor. If we've had an especially wet winter (like this year) you’ll see blooms popping up everywhere, including Mexican gold poppies, desert globemallow, penstemon, desert bluebells, paper flowers, desert marigold, and more.
Want to have an exceptionally unique wildflower experience? Wait to visit until early- to mid-May. That’s when the cacti come into bloom. You’ll see saguaro, ocotillo, barrel, prickly pear, cholla, and other cacti showing their true colors. It’s definitely unique, and we promise you won't be disappointed.
Also in spring, you’ll notice quite a few festivals taking place. The Tucson Festival of the Books is a free event with book signings, author talks, and literary activities, all taking place on the University of Arizona campus while the students are away for spring break. There is also the annual Cologuard Classic, a well-known golf tournament featuring several events and a Celebrity Challenge. Also in spring, you’ll find Arizona’s world-famous Renaissance Festival, just a little over an hour to the north, in Apache Junction. There are also many local artisan markets like Made in Tucson Market and the Fourth Avenue Street Fair.
During late spring, the weather is about as perfect as it can get. Days are warm (but not yet hot) and nights are still cool. Plus, tourism is usually in a lull during May, so you’re likely to experience lower rates on flights and lodging. Click here to explore dates in April and May!
Dry Summer: MID-MAY - JUNE
Golf among the majestic saguaro cacti
Tourism is usually at its slowest during late-May through mid-July, Tucson’s driest and hottest time of year. If you’re looking for a warm week by the pool with lower prices and not a lot of other people around, this is your best bet. Flights, lodging, and even activities like golf courses all are at an affordable price, which makes this time of year a hidden gem in the tourism world. So, what is there to do when temps are soaring into the triple digits?
Beat the heat by taking a dip in some cool water! Try out Seven Falls in Sabino Canyon. While you’ll want to keep hiking to a minimum mid-day, Sabino Canyon offers some of the most picturesque nature in the Tucson area, including waterfalls and shaded woods. If nature isn’t your thing, relax by the private pool at our Casa Alpenglow property, and enjoy sunny days and warm nights with your very own mountain view.
If you’d like to get out and explore, but don’t want to brave the heat, Tucson has many lovely indoor options to enjoy. Tucson boasts some of the best museums in the state, which are a great way to learn about the Southwest when it's too hot for a hike. The Tucson Museum of Art, Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, and the Arizona State Museum all offer vibrant exhibits to experience the culture of the southwest. Looking for something more unique? Check out the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and The Franklin Auto Museum.
Wet Summer: JULY - AUGUST
All of the seasonal activities for dry summer are still excellent choices for the wetter time of year, since you’ll still likely need to beat the heat (and now the rain) during the day. However, an added bonus of visiting during monsoon season (mid-July through early September) is that you’ll get to experience some of the most unique weather in the country.
The hallmarks of the season during the late, wet summer months are torrential downbursts of rain moving through the desert at high speeds. You’ll likely see cloud microbursts, which are small sections of heavy rain moving across the desert floor with plenty of lightning and loud thunder - it’s quite dramatic! Usually these rains end quickly, and everything is back to normal within an hour. It is certainly a memorable experience and is the perfect time to sit on the patio or inside and watch the storm pass.
Fall: SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER
Once summer gives way to fall, usually in late September and October, you’ll see the Sonoran Desert come alive once again. In fact, we highly recommend visiting in October, as the warm days are still hanging on, but the nights are cooling off and the busy tourist season has not yet begun. You’ll still enjoy lower prices and less crowds, but also the added bonus of beautiful weather. We love October in the desert!
Something most people don’t realize is that the Sonoran desert has two blooming seasons. We experience blooming flowers in the desert during the fall as well as the spring. Additionally, you can take a lovely drive up to Mt. Lemmon, and experience the stunning fall foliage that comes at higher elevations. The Tucson Meet Yourself festival is held in October and brings out food vendors, artisans, entertainment and more.
Moving later into fall, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the All Souls Procession, typically the first weekend of November. The Procession is a gathering of over 150,000 participants to honor and celebrate the souls of those they’ve lost.
Another of our favorite November activities is a visit to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Beginning the last few days of October, and stretching to early April, the Sonora Desert Museum has a raptor free-flight experience, showcasing some of the raptor birds of prey native to the Sonoran Desert. Going to miss the raptor flight? Don’t worry, the museum is incredible any day of the year, and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tucson.
Winter: DECEMBER - FEBRUARY
Spending the evening fireside at Casa Alpenglow
Winter is, by far, the most popular time of year to visit Tucson - and for good reason! The weather couldn’t be more perfect. It’s so popular, in fact, that we have an entire post dedicated to our favorite winter activities in Tucson. And it happens to be when we also have some of the most spectacular sunsets.
Tucson’s winter weather is so mild and beautiful, that it would be impossible to take advantage of all of the activities available! From pristine golf courses to endless hiking trails and nature all around, Tucson’s winter is unparalleled. If you’re visiting with the family, you may also try the Reid Park Zoo, San Xavier del Bac Mission, or Saguaro National Park.
One of the biggest events on Tucson’s social calendar happens every winter - the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, which is the largest gem and mineral show in the world. Every year, it draws over 60,000 visitors to the Tucson valley, so be prepared and book your accommodations early!
So, When is the Best Time to Visit?
If you ask us, the answer is… it depends! We believe any time of year is the best time to visit Tucson, and the answer truly depends on what you want to do once you’re here. Looking for less crowds, lower prices, and beautiful weather? April, May, or October are the perfect choice. Want to experience some of the most unique weather around? Don’t miss a visit in August! Hoping for cooler weather, and maybe a visit to the Gem Show? Winter is your best bet. Overall, Tucson offers something for everyone throughout the year, from outdoor activities to cultural events and festivals, and we know you’ll have a fabulous time regardless of when you come!