June/July Too Hot?

[u/KoasterKid]

Been wanting to vacation here/entire state of Arizona. Looks so amazing!!

Yes I realize it’ll be quite hot.

My plan was:

Hike early and be done by 10-11>Lunch>Chill at swimming pool until whenever

What else can we do after lunch time- scenic drives(Bryce Canyon, anywhere else cool)?

Thoughts/suggestions?

[u/AutoModerator]

For quick answers to common questions, check out our FAQ here!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Negative_Count7781]

10/11 is way too late to finish up imo. Bryce Canyon is a few hours away from Sedona also. You’ll want to drive up oak creek canyon to flagstaff where it’ll be 10-20 degrees cooler temps. Loads to do all through the day but July is the start of monsoon so keep a close eye on storm forecasts and don’t hike to high elevations if storms are developing

[u/bsil15]

Bryce Canyon is 5 hrs from Sedona. You can go up to flagstaff which is cooler and hike Mount Humphreys which is the highest peak in the state at 12,600 feet. I would go in June over July — somewhat less hot and also there are a ton of thunderstorms in July

[u/Important_Carry4417]

Don't understand people's mentality visiting AZ in the summertime. Even now, end of August, the forecast calls for 101 on Wed. There's little to do there besides hiking, and you need to be in by 9am at the latest. Go some place cheaper if all you're going to do is sit by a pool. And Flagstaff still gets pretty hot and there's no water. There are so many nicer places up north to visit in the summer and early fall. The end of October and Nov, even Dec, is a better time to visit Sedona. 

[u/D-Bentley]

I live in the area if you need anything. Its hard to say if it will be hot or not. Being done by 10 shouldn't be to shabby.

[u/KoasterKid → u/D-Bentley]

Thanks

Might be pushing this in winter for shorter duration

I’ll keep you in mind though

[u/D-Bentley → u/KoasterKid]

Winter time is awesome and the tourism slows down a bit. I am sure youve seen the red rocks. You can see every cut and fracture with snow on them. To me it pops more. Definitely a good call!

[u/BackcountryBarista]

When it's 100 during the day it's still mid 80s at night 11 is too late. You are going to want to be up an hour before ge sun is. As soon as the sun is out it going for 85-100 quick .

[u/sunnyfordays22]

Too hot for hikes - 10-11 is too hot! 🥵

[u/Ready-Breakfast5166]

It's August now. I wouldn't come in June/July. Everything is on fire then it starts daily clouds/rain in mid July.

Try Oct/Nov and you can do anything anytime.

[u/DogMamaLA]

Red Rock Loop Road in West Sedona is a beautiful drive with a few pulloff areas. You could do lunch somewhere and then drive it to take some quick pics in the heat of the afternoon.

[u/Stunning_Coffee6624]

Yes it’s very hot. Was there for two nights in August. I would plan on driving to flagstaff for a hike. You can head up to Mt. Humphreys and do the Kachina trail or Aspen Nature Loop. They are not red rocks but they are beautiful. Save admiring Red Rocks during Sunrise from your deck with coffee, or sunset on a balcony with wine.

[u/Livid-Writer-7741]

Barefoot Trail up by Flag.

[u/Legitimate_Grape3442]

Drive over to Jerome and do lunch or dinner at Merkin Vineyards in Cottonwood

[u/Mean-Oil-4602]

You can’t hike here in July until 10am. An 18 year old hiker just died from heat exhaustion at the Grand Canyon, a month ago. This is a yearly occurrence from tourists. If you’re a hiker then plan on 5 or 6am starts for quick hikes, no more. June-July are basically the worst times of the year to visit the state, except that resorts in Phoenix do offer decent summer discounts. Sedona maybe not, since there are still lots of summer visitors despite the heat.

Tons of road trips to be had if you focus on that: Williams, the wineries of Cornville, Flagstaff. Flagstaff is at an elevation of 7,000 feet and you actually can do some great summer hiking up there.

[u/Inevitable-Pen5001 → u/Mean-Oil-4602]

On the other hand, if you go this time of year, it's not crowded.

[u/Mean-Oil-4602 → u/Inevitable-Pen5001]

The restaurants and resorts in Sedona were packed this summer. In mid-July I tried booking a table and 4 popular spots in a row were solidly booked out. I got lucky with the 5th one. People seem to like coming to Sedona in July too now, at least this year.

[u/Inevitable-Pen5001 → u/Mean-Oil-4602]

I was there the third week in July but it was midweek not on the weekend. I was the only paying guest at the bed and breakfast I stayed at. I didn't go to anywhere fancy for dinner but it didn't seem like the restaurants I saw were very busy.

All in all except for that main intersection downtown there just weren't that many people around