When the triple-digit heat finally breaks, and the desert exhales into crisp, golden afternoons, Arizona quietly becomes one of the most underrated fall destinations in the country. Between mid-September and November, daytime temperatures settle into the comfortable 80s, the crowds thin out, and the calendar fills up with pumpkin patches, hot air balloons, polo matches, and red-rock road trips. If you’ve ever wondered when to visit Arizona, fall is your answer, and this guide breaks down exactly why, plus everything worth adding to your itinerary.
Fall Weather in Arizona
Arizona’s fall weather gets more pleasant by the week. September starts to transition out of summer, with warm days in the desert and evenings that begin cooling down. By October, daytime highs settle into a comfortable 80°F to 90°F, with evening lows dropping into the 50s and 60s. November cools further still, with highs typically between 65°F and 80°F and crisp nights. Up north in Sedona and Flagstaff, temperatures run even cooler throughout the season, making October and November some of the best months of the year for hiking, golfing, and sightseeing.
Fall Foliage: Yes, Arizona Has It
It’s easy to assume the desert skips fall color altogether, but head north and Arizona puts on a real show every autumn. In Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon along Highway 89A, bigtooth maples, sycamores, and cottonwoods turn brilliant shades of gold, orange, and red from mid-October through November, framed against the red rocks for a color contrast you won’t find anywhere else.
Head northeast to Payson and the Mogollon Rim, and you’ll find color starting even earlier; leaves at higher elevations begin changing in early October, with peak golden aspens, fiery maples, and amber oaks hitting mid-to-late October against a backdrop of dark ponderosa pines, while riparian areas stretch the display into early November.
And in Flagstaff, Aspen Corner, about 5.5 miles up Snowbowl Road, is one of the most accessible fall-color spots in the state, where a dense grove of quaking aspens glows bright yellow against the San Francisco Peaks; no hike required, though a short walk on connecting paths like the Arizona Trail gets you even closer.
Fall Events in Arizona You Shouldn’t Miss
Arizona’s event calendar goes into overdrive once the weather turns, and 2026 has one of the fullest lineups yet. Here’s what’s worth planning a trip around.
Goldrush Music Festival
September 11–12, 2026
5700 W North Loop Rd, Chandler, AZ
One of Arizona’s biggest electronic dance music festivals takes over the Old West-inspired Rawhide Western Town, with 50+ artists across multiple stages this year, headlined by Martin Garrix, Alesso, deadmau5, and GRiZ.
Verde Canyon Railroad: Ales on Rails
September 13–October 31, 2026
300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ
Sip Arizona craft beer on the depot pavilion before boarding for a scenic ride through Verde Canyon, a fitting way to toast the changing season and take in fall color from the rails.
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party
October 1–31, 2026
24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ
This farm festival has been an Arizona fall staple for over 25 years. Wander the corn maze, take a hayride, pick your own pumpkin, and warm up with a bowl of the farm’s famous chili. Evening bonfires with live music close out the day.
Arizona State Fair
October 1–November 1, 2026
1826 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ
Now in its 142nd year, the Arizona State Fair takes over the Arizona State Fairgrounds Thursday through Sunday, all month long. Expect thrill rides like the Heidi Coaster and Overdrive, unapologetically indulgent fair food, livestock shows, and live entertainment for every age group.
Four Peaks Oktoberfest
October 9–11, 2026
80 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ
Tempe Town Lake goes full Bavarian for the weekend, complete with authentic German food, ice-cold beer, and carnival rides. Live entertainment and lively crowds keep the celebration going strong for three straight days.
Scottsdale Fall Festival
October 17, 2026
3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ
A longtime Scottsdale tradition freshly expanded for its 55th run, this free community celebration takes over the Civic Center Plaza from 5–9 p.m. with live music, food trucks, a cocktail garden, trick-or-treating, carnival games, and hands-on activities for kids.
2026 NASCAR Fall Weekend at Phoenix Raceway
October 18, 2026
7602 Jimmie Johnson Dr, Avondale, AZ
Catch the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the ARCA Menards Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series all in one action-packed race weekend at Phoenix Raceway.
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
October 23–25, 2026
7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
More than 20 hot air balloons take to the sky, each doubling as a trick-or-treat station. Enter the costume contest, watch the balloon glow, or book a tethered ride for an up-close look.
The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships
November 7, 2026
16601 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
Billed by its own players as “the best polo event in the world,” this is America’s most-attended polo event. Beyond the matches, expect luxury fashion shows, exotic car displays, the high-energy Riot House DayClub, and the Sanderson Black Label Lounge.
Charles Schwab Cup Championship
November 12–15, 2026
2901 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
The season-ending, championship-deciding event of the PGA TOUR Champions brings the top 36 players in the standings to Phoenix for four days of high-stakes golf.
Fall Is Arizona’s Best Season for Outdoor Recreation
With temperatures easing up, fall is one of the best stretches of the year to get outside in Arizona, whether that’s golf, hiking, or something a little more adventurous.
Golf
Fall’s mild days and cool evenings make it one of the most popular times of year to play Scottsdale and Phoenix’s championship courses without summer’s heat working against your swing. Standouts worth booking include TPC Scottsdale (home to the WM Phoenix Open’s Stadium Course), Troon North Golf Club, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, and Papago Golf Course, a highly rated municipal option with Camelback Mountain views at a fraction of the resort-course price tag.
Hiking
Trails that are borderline unbearable in July turn into some of the best come October. Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve are all much more enjoyable once temperatures drop, and fall’s clear skies make for some of the year’s best summit views.
Horseback Riding
For a more guided way to experience the desert, Windwalker Expeditions offers private horseback tours through remote Sonoran Desert trails, including exclusive access to sections of the 2.9-million-acre Tonto National Forest. Their guides pair riders with well-trained horses suited to any experience level and share insight into the area’s history and ecology along the way. GoodNight Stay guests receive an exclusive discounted rate; just mention GoodNight Stay when booking.
Off-Roading
Desert Dog Off-Road Adventure, based in Fountain Hills just 30 minutes from Scottsdale, has run guided ATV sand buggy tours through the Sonoran Desert for over 25 years. Their exclusive permits open up terrain other operators can’t access. The Sand Buggy Sunset Tour is a fall favorite, winding through rock gardens and sandy washes as the desert lights up gold. Gear, snacks, and photos are included, and you can use code GOODNIGHT for $10 off per buggy when booking.
Day Trip to Sedona
A little under two hours from Phoenix, Sedona is worth a full day on its own in the fall. Beyond the red rock scenery and Oak Creek Canyon’s turning leaves, it’s a great season to hike trails like Cathedral Rock and the West Fork Trail without the summer heat, browse the galleries and shops in Uptown Sedona, or sip local pours at one of the Verde Valley’s nearby wineries.
Make It a Fall Getaway
Fall is a great time to slow down and spend a little more time in Arizona. Whether you’re planning an extended stay to settle into the season or a shorter Scottsdale getaway, these homes offer a comfortable home base for enjoying everything on your fall itinerary.
Nyx
3 Beds | 3.5 Baths | Sleeps 6
31+ Day Stay
Nyx is a stylish desert escape where comfort and laid-back Scottsdale living come together. Sink into plush living spaces, warm up by the fireplace, mix sunset cocktails at the bar cart, and gather in the chef-ready kitchen after a day exploring. Surrounded by top-tier golf courses and scenic hiking trails, this home puts you just minutes from Troon North Golf Club, TPC Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Quarter, making it an inviting home base for a longer fall stay.
Scottsdale Chic Condo
2 Beds | 2 Baths | Sleeps 6
31+ Day Stay
Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale Chic Condo gives you an easy way to settle into the city for a month or more. Start the morning with coffee on your private balcony, spend an afternoon by the community pool and spa, then head out to explore Old Town on foot. And when the Scottsdale Fall Festival rolls around on October 17, you’ll be just a short trip from Civic Center Plaza for an evening of live music, food trucks, carnival games, and more.
Desert Dream
3 Beds | 2 Baths | Sleeps 10
For a shorter Scottsdale escape, Desert Dream gives you plenty of reasons to enjoy your time at home. Take a dip in the private pool, challenge your crew to cornhole or basketball, work on your short game, or gather around the fire pit as the evening cools off. When you’re ready to head out, Old Town Scottsdale is just four minutes away. Visiting in October? Make the short drive to Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake for German food, live entertainment, and carnival rides.
Signature Scottsdale
2 Beds | 2 Baths | Sleeps 6
Fall plans are especially easy when two of Scottsdale’s signature seasonal events are less than 10 minutes from your doorstep. Spend an October evening at the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, then return in November for The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships and its lineup of polo matches, fashion, exotic cars, and entertainment. For a shorter getaway, this condo gives you a comfortable place to recharge between outings, with a community pool and spa, sauna, fitness center, and private balcony.
Your Best Fall Yet Is One Booking Away
From craft beer on a scenic train to polo matches, pumpkin patches, and red rock hikes, Arizona’s fall calendar has something for nearly every kind of traveler. Whatever’s on your list, this is the season to build a trip around it.
Ready to book? Use code AZFALL15 for 15% off select Arizona homes when you book by October 28, 2026, for stays between September 1 and October 31, 2026.
