Our Arizona adventures explore the diverse ecosystems of the Grand Canyon state from arid desert to lush riverbanks and otherworldly rock formations.
Astounding wonders of Mother Nature abound in Arizona, where the landscapes seem to defy words. Behold the epic views of the Grand Canyon from the rim and the canyon floor. Hop on a train and see the landscapes change before your eyes. Behold dry deserts and forested rivers. Arizona is a jewel in the American Southwest, offering countless adventures and hidden gems at every turn.
Explore Arizona Adventure Vacations
Explore Arizona Adventure Vacations
When is the best time to visit Arizona
Many people think of the words “hot” and “dry” when they conjure up an image of Arizona, but in reality, Arizona’s climate varies widely according to altitude. Southern Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson) experiences very hot summers and warm winters while Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon) will see four distinct seasons, although any time of the year is mild enough for a visit. On an Austin Adventures Arizona adventure, you’ll likely fly into Phoenix but will immediately head north to milder weather.
Spring (April-May)
Spring is a nice time to visit Arizona, regardless of where you go in the state. Southern Arizona will likely be pleasant in April (with average highs around 80°F) while May will see temperatures creeping upwards into the 90s – don’t forget, it’s a dry heat. If that’s too hot for you, head north where it will be much cooler at this time with highs in the 60-70°F range and lows in the 30s (bring a jacket!)
Summer (June-August)
Summertime temperatures can vary greatly depending on where you are during the hottest part of the season. Southern Arizona is hot, hot, HOT, seeing high temperatures in the 100F+ range and lows in the 80s. In this kind of heat, most of our guests either hang out inside or head out to the pool (wear your sunscreen!) June – August is the “value season” in Southern Arizona, while Northern Arizona enjoys its “peak season” during this time frame. Up north, you’ll find highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s – just perfect for an active vacation!
Autumn (September-December)
The fall season starts out warm in September (especially in Southern Arizona), but will drop down considerably over the next few months. Later in the season, the south starts to see some nice temperatures in the 60 to 70°F range. It will get colder up north, averaging anywhere between 40 to 60°F for a high, but it’s not so cold that you can’t take in the sights on foot! Depending on where you travel, you may even come across some snow later in the season. After all, places like Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon average about 7,000 feet in elevation!
Winter (January-March)
We would consider winter in Arizona quite pleasant for the most part. Southern Arizona experiences its peak season at this time as tourists flock to the warm temperatures, attempting to escape the snow across the rest of the US. The high’s in Phoenix at this time land in the 60 to 70°F range, ah, perfect. Northern Arizona will definitely be colder as you head up in elevation, but the winter temperatures (highs anywhere between 40 to 50°F) are quite pleasant in the height of the day. Lows can be below freezing, so there’s a possibility of snow – dress warm!
Planning for an Arizona Vacation
You can travel to Arizona at just about any time of the year and enjoy an adventure vacation. So, your main question might be: what do I pack? While our detailed pre-trip planner will give you the specifics, read on for a few tips from our adventure travel professionals on what to pack and how to prepare for your Arizona adventure.
Pack lightweight clothing, but be sure to bring layers
Since it’s warm most times of year in Arizona, you’ll want to be sure to pack lightweight clothing (shorts and t-shirts) to maintain a cool body temperature in the heat of an active day. However, you’ll also want to bring along a few extra warmer layers as it can be cool in the mornings, evenings, and nights! If you’re traveling anytime between late October and early April in northern Arizona, you may want to bring a warm jacket or fleece, gloves, a warm hat, mid-weight long-sleeve layers, warm socks, and long underwear.
Pack your raincoat, especially during monsoon season!
Arizona’s monsoon thunderstorms take place from mid-June through the end of summer during the height of the peak season. Monsoons in Arizona typically bring higher humidity, windstorms, dust storms, and periods of heavy rains. Be sure to pack your raincoat in your day pack and make it easily accessible. Thunderstorms are especially common in the afternoons and develop quickly. Luckily, we’ve usually completed our activities for the day and are enjoying ourselves back at the hotel by the time a storm hits. In case you get caught in a thunderstorm during an activity, your guide will direct you to the safest area to wait out the storm.
Bring a day pack
For adults, we recommend a backpack in the 24 to 38-liter range. For kids: a small pack will work, but we find that parents usually end up carrying a lot of their kids’ “stuff” on any given hike! You’ll want to make sure you have enough room for plenty of water, sunscreen, and your camera. You also may shed layers throughout the day or bring a lunch, so don’t forget that you’ll need extra room for these items.
Travel Tips for Visiting Arizona
Where and when you go in Arizona will largely determine how you go about planning your trip. Below, you can read a few insider tips from our knowledgeable team, and if you want to know more, just give us a call!
1. Avoid heat-related illness.
It can be HOT in Arizona in the summer, and it’s easy to fall victim to a heat-related illness if you don’t follow a few easy tips. First, drink more fluids than you normally would, especially during any outdoor activity. If you become thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. To avoid this, constantly sip on water throughout the day and drink lots of water after a strenuous activity. Also, you’ll want to steer clear (or enjoy in moderation) beverages containing alcohol, caffeine, or large amounts of sugar (these can dehydrate your body!). Also, limit your outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its peak intensity.
2. Phoenix: in the heat of the summer.
When it comes to flying into Arizona, Phoenix is our city of choice. While it’s very hot in the summer, there’s a myriad of things to do inside that will keep you out of the heat but still allow you to have fun. There are a number of water and splash parks if you want to get your soak on. You can also check out the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, or the Mining and Mineral Museum if you’d rather find a little intellectual stimulation. You can even hit up a Broadway production at the Orpheum Theater downtown or catch an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game in the comfort of a closed, air-conditioned ballpark.
3. Exercise now, enjoy yourself later
Many of our guests travel to Arizona from sea level (or near that) and find that activity is more difficult at this higher elevation. To prepare for this change, make sure to practice any kind of exercise routine (walking, running, cycling, fitness classes, etc.) to ensure you feel comfortable taking on an active vacation. The more physical you are before your trip, the better prepared you’ll feel, even with an elevation change!
Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full
By paying in full, we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply. Read more here.
Moments from Arizona Adventures
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FAQs About Adventure Vacations in Arizona
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
Transport
We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
- vegan (no meat or animal products)
- vegetarian (no meat products)
- pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- no pork (eat chicken & fish)
- gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
- picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or in your Account.
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Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Award-winning guides lead the way
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
You’ll never need to sweat the details
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
