Spring in Arizona is supposed to be mild. But we’re seeing triple digit weather and its only March. … Yes, we all did an eyeroll.
The heat and the dry sunny weather are almost certainly always to be expected in Arizona. But with Phoenix smashing records like an Olympic sport, the weather just seems to be getting more unbearable and locals are trying to either beat the heat or escape it.
So if the desert is acting like an oven, try to climb a mountain, float a river, hide in a cave, become nocturnal or pretend you’re at the beach. Here are five places in the Grand Canyon State to cool off.
Mount Lemmon
Start with going up, way up at Mount Lemmon. Just outside Tucson, this mountain is a built-in escape hatch from the desert. You climb from cactus-studded heat into pine forests that feel like a completely different state. Temperatures can drop 20–30 degrees by the time you reach the top and suddenly you’re thinking about a hoodie instead of a tank top. There are scenic pull-offs, trails and even a small ski area.
Salt River Tubing
If climbing a mountain sounds like effort, then just float your problems away at Salt River Tubing. Most people start with the main hub at Salt River Tubing. This is the classic experience: rent a tube, hop on a shuttle and float between designated stops. However, it doesn’t open until May.
There are also several public river access points for locals to float, kayak, paddleboard and fish. Popular areas include Water Users Recreation Site, Pebble Beach, Blue Point and Goldfield. You can also camp, hike, rent a boat and do ATV tours.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
When Arizona turns into an oven, go underground. Inside the Kartchner Caverns State Park, temperatures stay around a steady, cool level year-round, with massive limestone formations. It’s quiet, surreal and best of all, completely sun-free.
Visit a dark sky city
If you’re willing to flip your schedule, Arizona also rewards those who avoid the sun entirely. Places like Flagstaff and Sedona, Bisbee, Fountain Hills and many more are officially designated “dark sky” areas, meaning minimal light pollution and incredible night views. Instead of sweating through the afternoon, you head out after sunset when temperatures drop and the sky turns into a planetarium. It’s cooler, calmer and free.
Revel Surf
Apparently, Arizona looked at the ocean and said, “We’ll make our own.” Revel Surf at Cannon Beach is a surf park that creates real, rideable waves in the middle of the desert. It’s controlled, clean and fun. While it won’t drop the air temperature like a mountain will, it absolutely tricks your brain into thinking you’ve escaped the heat, which honestly might be just as valuable.
Reporting by Tiffany Acosta, Arizona Republic
