Season guide · Phoenix · United States
Phoenix in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Warm and sunny, with spring training and wildflowers in March; heat builds quickly through May. Expect highs up to 35°C (95°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 7 rainy days across March–May. March–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 12°C (54°F) to 35°C (95°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 7
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 25°C (77°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 | 11.9 h | 5/5 |
| April | 30°C (86°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 2 | 13 h | 4/5 |
| May | 35°C (95°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 1 | 13.9 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 7 of the year's roughly 37 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Cactus League spring training games (through March)
- March: Arizona Renaissance Festival (weekends, usually February to March)
Make the most of the weather
Garden · Papago Park
Desert Botanical Garden
Set among Papago Park's red buttes, the garden displays tens of thousands of desert plants, from towering saguaros and boojum trees to agaves and wildflowers, along trails that explain how people of the Sonoran Desert used them.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
Nature · Arcadia
Camelback Mountain
Start at first light, carry more water than you think you need and turn back when half of it is gone; the city may close the trails on extreme heat days.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Piestewa Peak
The Summit Trail up Piestewa Peak is a steep, popular climb of about 1.9 km with views over downtown and Camelback.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Park · South Phoenix
South Mountain Park and Preserve
Drive up to Dobbins Lookout around sunset, then stay to see the city lights spread out below.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- History
- After dark
Park · Papago Park
Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock
Red sandstone buttes, fishing ponds and easy trails between Phoenix and Tempe.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Day trips in spring
- Sedona (About 2 hours by car) — Red sandstone buttes, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and trails such as Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock make Sedona the most popular trip from Phoenix.
- Grand Canyon South Rim (About 3 hours 45 minutes each way by car) — The South Rim's viewpoints, such as Mather Point and Yavapai Point, look into the canyon's layered walls.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Phoenix?
Yes: March–April are among the best months. Warm and sunny, with spring training and wildflowers in March; heat builds quickly through May.
+What is the weather like in Phoenix in spring?
Highs of up to 35°C (95°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 7 rainy days over the season.