Seasons
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Arizona
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Arizona depends on elevation. In the low desert around Phoenix, Tucson and Lake Havasu, October through April is prime. In the high country around Flagstaff, Prescott and the Mogollon Rim, May through October is. Spring and fall work almost everywhere, which is why they're the busiest months for rides and events.
- Low desert
- October to April
- High country
- May to October
- Both work
- Spring and fall
- Watch for
- Monsoon, June 15 to Sept 30
The short version
Arizona has two riding seasons, not one
Most states have a riding season and an off-season. Arizona has two seasons running at the same time, split by elevation. Phoenix sits around 1,100 feet and Tucson around 2,400. Flagstaff is around 7,000. That gap is the difference between a 110-degree afternoon and a cool pine forest on the same day.
So the question isn't when to ride, it's where. Riders in the Valley ride the desert all winter and ride up all summer. That's why Arizona works so well for a year-round game like Rippin', where every ride pays points and turf is always up for grabs.
It also means there's no real off-season to wait out. When a Flagstaff rider is parked for snow in January, a Phoenix rider is on the Apache Trail. When a Phoenix rider is hiding from 110 degrees in July, a Flagstaff rider is out on the Rim. Plan your year around both and you'll ride every month.
Month by month
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Arizona, month by month
| Month | Low desert (Phoenix, Tucson, Havasu) | High country (Flagstaff, Prescott, the Rim) |
|---|---|---|
| January | Prime. Mild days, cold mornings | Cold, snow and ice likely. Ride the dry days only |
| February | Prime. Event season | Cold. Snow possible |
| March | Prime. Wildflowers, busy weekends | Warming. Snow still possible up high |
| April | Great, getting warm by month's end | Opening up. Check closures |
| May | Hot. Ride early | Prime |
| June | Very hot. Dawn rides only | Prime. Dry, fire season |
| July | Hottest. Dawn only, monsoon storms | Good. Afternoon storms |
| August | Hot, monsoon storms | Good. Afternoon storms |
| September | Still hot, cooling late | Prime as storms fade |
| October | Season opens, great by month's end | Prime early, cold by late month |
| November | Prime | Cold. First snow possible |
| December | Prime, short days | Cold, snow likely |
General patterns, not a forecast. Every year is different. Check the weather and AZ511 before you ride.
Low desert
Riding the low desert: October to April
This is when Phoenix, Tucson, Lake Havasu and Kingman ride their best. Days are mild, the desert roads are at their most comfortable, and the big events happen: the Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion in January, Supercross in Glendale in February, Arizona Bike Week in spring. See Arizona motorcycle events.
Winter mornings can be cold, especially in the desert outside the city, so layer up and wait for the sun. Days are short in December, so plan to be home before dark. Spring brings wildflowers and the busiest weekends on the Apache Trail, Bush Highway and Gates Pass.
High country
Riding the high country: May to October
When the desert gets too hot, ride up. Oak Creek Canyon into Flagstaff, Jerome and Mingus Mountain, the Mogollon Rim on SR 260, Hualapai Mountain near Kingman, and Mt Lemmon above Tucson are the summer playground. See the Northern Arizona ride guide.
June is often the driest month, which also means fire season, and fire restrictions or closures can shut roads or forest areas. July and August bring afternoon monsoon storms even up high, so ride early. Snow can close high roads from late fall into spring, and roads like the Coronado Trail and the road to the Grand Canyon's North Rim are seasonal. Check AZ511, and for the North Rim, the National Park Service.
Sweet spot
Spring and fall: when all of Arizona rides
March through May and late September through November are the months when you can ride almost anywhere in Arizona on the same weekend. Start in the desert in the morning, climb to the pines by lunch, and the temperature works at both ends.
That's why the big trips land here: a loop from Phoenix up the Beeline to Payson, across the Rim on SR 260 and back down through the Salt River Canyon, or a run from Tucson to Bisbee and out to the Coronado Trail. In spring, the high roads can still have snow early in the season. In fall, the first cold snap can close them. Check before you commit.
By region
Best months to ride, by Arizona region
Each region has its own guide with the classic roads: Phoenix and Scottsdale, Tucson, Northern Arizona and Route 66 and western Arizona.
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix and the Valley | October to April | Midday from May to September |
| Tucson | October to April, Mt Lemmon all summer | Midday in summer |
| Lake Havasu, Kingman, Oatman | October to May | Summer afternoons |
| Sedona and Prescott | March to May, September to November | Icy winter mornings |
| Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon | May to October | Winter snow |
| Mogollon Rim and White Mountains | May to October | Winter snow, elk at dusk |
Summer
If you ride the desert in summer
The full guide is riding a motorcycle in Arizona heat.
- Leave at first light and be home by mid-morning.
- Carry more water than you think you need, and drink before you're thirsty.
- Wear vented gear with armor, not a T-shirt.
- Check tires cold and test your battery before the heat.
- Watch the sky in monsoon season, June 15 to September 30, and never ride into a flooded wash.
- In a dust storm, get completely off the road.
Plan it
Plan your Arizona season with Rippin'
- Weather alertsRippin' sends weather alerts before you ride, and riders flag road hazards on the map.
- Ride plansShare a ride card with departure time, route, stops and RSVPs, so the dawn start actually happens.
- AI trip plannerBuild a day trip or a multi-day run up to the high country with stops and pacing. Free has limits, Plus is unlimited. See the AI ride planner.
- Passport stampsGet a stamp for every town you ride through and badges for places you've been, from Bisbee to the Grand Canyon. Both pay points.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best month to ride a motorcycle in Arizona?
For the low desert, March and November are hard to beat. For the high country, June and September. October works in both, though high country nights get cold.
Can you ride a motorcycle in Phoenix in summer?
Yes, at dawn. Be home by mid-morning, carry water and watch for monsoon storms. Or ride up to Payson and the Mogollon Rim.
When does it snow on Arizona motorcycle roads?
High-country roads around Flagstaff, the Rim, the White Mountains and Mt Lemmon can see snow from late fall into spring. Check AZ511 before you go.
When is monsoon season in Arizona?
Officially June 15 to September 30. Storms usually build in the afternoon, with lightning, flash floods and dust storms.
When is the best time to ride Mt Lemmon?
Summer mornings, when it's the coolest ride near Tucson. In winter it can see snow and closures, so check AZ511 first.
When is the best time to ride Route 66 in Arizona?
October to May. Summer is very hot around Kingman and Oatman, so ride early if you go then.
Is spring a good time to ride in Arizona?
One of the best. The low desert is still comfortable, the high country starts opening up, and it's peak event season.
Ride Arizona in every season.
Download Rippin' free. Every ride pays points, winter desert loop or summer mountain run.