When Is the Best Time to Visit Scottsdale?

Discovering the best time to visit Scottsdale is the key to planning the perfect trip. Although there are certainly advantages to visiting year-round, each of the four seasons shines in its own unique ways. 

Learn everything you need to know about visiting Phoenix and Scottsdale during each season, from average temperatures to things to do during each month to determine the best time to travel to Scottsdale, depending on your budget, goals, and interests.

Winter 

Average Temperature

December: High – 65°F || Low – 42°F 

January: High – 66°F || Low – 43°F 

February: High – 69°F || Low – 46°F

Scottsdale weather in the winter is a refreshing contrast to the majority of the country. Since the average low is in the mid-40s, there isn’t any risk for snow, and the constant sunshine can almost always guarantee balmy afternoon temperatures. 

If you’re looking to escape the cold weather during the winter, Scottsdale is the perfect location to book a vacation. This is also snowbird season in Arizona—many individuals from around the country spend the winters in Phoenix to escape the cold temperatures elsewhere.

Best Things to Do

Many of Scottsdale’s most popular events occur during January and February. The Barrett Jackson Car Auction, Arabian Horse Show, and TPC Scottsdale Waste Management Open all occur during these months, and they draw millions of visitors to the Phoenix area. 

Generally speaking, winter is a great time to explore the outdoors. However, if you’re planning a trip to Scottsdale during December or January, be prepared that it will be too cold to spend time in the pool. If pool time is important to you, opt for a spring or autumn trip instead!

Spring

Average Temperature

March: High – 75°F || Low – 50°F 

April: High – 83°F || Low – 57°F 

May: High – 92°F || Low – 66°F

Spring is usually considered to be the best time to visit Phoenix and Scottsdale. With warmer temperatures and low chances of precipitation starting in April, you’ll experience some of the best weather for outdoor adventures in the Scottsdale area. Plus, the desert is in full bloom, so you’ll have the chance to photograph beautiful wildflowers, lush greenery, and iconic cactus blossoms while you’re here. 

Besides outdoor activities, the beautiful spring weather attracts several concerts, festivals, and sporting events to the area. It’s definitely the high season for hotel prices in Scottsdale, but you’ll find no shortage of fun things to do! Check out our ultimate guide to spring break in Scottsdale for families for more information.

Best Things to Do

There are tons of things to do in Scottsdale during the spring months. You can get outside and enjoy the area’s lush golf courses, lounge at a resort to soak up some of the best pool weather of the year, or explore some of the hiking trails in the Sonoran Desert. Scottsdale even has Bike Week as a five-day celebration of motorcycles and music.

If you’re looking to soak up the sunshine, consider grabbing a patio table at one of Scottsdale’s best brunch spots, then spend some time hanging out at one of the several local wineries in Downtown Scottsdale. 

Of course, one of the reasons the spring season is the most popular time to visit Scottsdale is because of baseball spring training games. If you’d like to watch a game, you can catch the San Francisco Giants playing at Scottsdale Stadium or the Arizona Diamondbacks or Colorado Rockies playing at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

Summer

Average Temperature

June: High – 101°F || Low – 75°F 

July: High – 104°F || Low – 81°F 

August: High – 102°F || Low – 80°F

Scottsdale is located in a desert, so needless to say, the summer brings very high temperatures—with average high temperatures in the triple digits. 

If you plan a trip to Scottsdale in the summer, it’s important to note the summer is divided into two parts—the dry summer and wet summer. The desert experiences very little precipitation and low humidity during May and June, creating a “dry heat.” However, in July and August, the monsoon season begins and continues through late September, bringing humidity, high winds, and precipitation.

Best Things to Do

Summer is undoubtedly the least popular time of the year to visit Phoenix and Scottsdale. Since the temperatures are so hot, it’s not very fun (and even unsafe!) to spend much time outside. That said, if you’re visiting Scottsdale in the late summer, it’s imperative to find indoor activities to enjoy in Scottsdale to stay in the air conditioning as much as possible. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor activities that allow you to beat the dry heat. You can play indoor golf, browse one of Scottsdale’s museums, or go shopping at one of the area’s indoor shopping malls. Or, if you’re looking to stay cool outside, you can visit one of Phoenix’s waterparks or spend the day lounging at the pool at one of Scottsdale’s luxury resorts. 

Plus, if you’re looking to save some cash and avoid crowds, summer is the least expensive and least busy time to visit Phoenix. Hotel prices typically drop since most tourists stay away until the temperatures cool down.

Fall

Average Temperature

September: High – 98°F || Low – 74°F 

October: High – 87°F || Low – 62°F 

November: High – 74°F || Low – 49°F

Autumn in Scottsdale is the equivalent of spring in most other areas of the country. In the same way that others breathe a sigh of relief when the snow subsides, and temperatures warm up, Arizonians are relieved the hot days are over, so they can begin to enjoy the beautiful desert!  

Although the weather can still be hot in September, temperatures begin to cool down in the mornings and evenings in October, and the days start to cool down in November.

Best Things to Do

Fall is a great time to experience Phoenix. The temperatures are pleasant enough to visit a farmer’s market, like the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market, take a hike in McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or grab a seat on the patio at one of Scottsdale’s popular restaurants. 

If you’re visiting during the early autumn months, in September or October, you may want to beat the heat by exploring the surrounding areas and taking a day trip from Scottsdale to Sedona, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon and other cooler locations in Northern Arizona. 

Or, if you’re traveling during the spooky season in late October, you may want to visit some haunted houses or pumpkin patches in Phoenix to enjoy the area’s best seasonal activities.

Enjoy the Best of Scottsdale During Every Season with Stay With Style Scottsdale

Rather than booking a hotel during your trip to Scottsdale, consider booking one of our luxurious, spacious vacation rentals. 

Our rentals have amenities for every season—from refreshing swimming pools to enjoy during the hot summer months to cozy fireplaces to keep you warm during the chilly winter evenings. 

Browse our selection of stylish Scottsdale vacation rentals to find the perfect vacation rental for your trip to Scottsdale, Arizona!