Best time to visit the Desert Southwest

The best time to visit the Desert Southwest is March, April, May and October, judged across 25 places; June to August are its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · North America · 25 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

The Desert Southwest month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januarygood3 wet days · before the heat · 11°C highsBig Bend National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Saguaro National Park
Februarygood3 wet days · before the heat · 14°C highsBig Bend National Park, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park
Marchin season4 wet days · before the heat · 17°C highsJoshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, Phoenix
Aprilin seasonwildflowers & blooms · 2 wet days · before the heatMoab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park
Mayin season2 wet days · before the heat · 27°C highsCapitol Reef National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Zion National Park
Junelow seasonextreme heat · 34°C highs · best Mar–May · still good for hikingFlagstaff, Bryce Canyon National Park, Santa Fe
Julylow seasonextreme heat · 36°C highs · best Mar–May · still good for hikingBryce Canyon National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Santa Fe
Augustlow seasonextreme heat · 34°C highs · best Mar–May · still good for hikingBryce Canyon National Park, Flagstaff, Santa Fe
Septembergood4 wet days · the heat has broken · 30°C highsFlagstaff, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park
Octoberin seasonautumn colour · 3 wet days · the heat has brokenGuadalupe Mountains National Park, Zion National Park, Albuquerque
Novembergood2 wet days · the heat has broken · 17°C highsBig Bend National Park, Saguaro National Park, Grand Canyon National Park
Decembergood3 wet days · the heat has broken · 12°C highsBig Bend National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 25 places in the Desert Southwest

The Desert Southwest — FAQ

When is the best time to visit the Desert Southwest?
March, April, May and October. In April: wildflowers & blooms · 2 wet days · before the heat.
When is the low season in the Desert Southwest?
June to August. In June: extreme heat · 34°C highs · best Mar–May · still good for hiking.
Which months are in season in the Desert Southwest?
March, April, May and October — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.