Forum Discussion

pbketron's avatar
pbketron
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014

When to make trip to desert southwest?

I have always been grateful for the advice and information I have received from this forum for the trips we made to Alaska in 2010 and out west last summer. Now we want to go to the desert Parks--Death Valley,Joshua Tree, Saguaro, and any other interesting monuments, Indians ruins, etc. along the way. I was thinking maybe late February into March, but I would really appreciate any information you could give me about this. We really enjoyed the monuments and lesser known Indian ruins we saw on our trip last summer. Thanks for your help.
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  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2014
    Temp wise Feb/Mar should be good. But the weather on our deserts is a******shoot at best. One day it can be 90, the next 30. We have had snow in March...so you just never know.

    I think I would probably push for more like Mar/Apr. May will be getting into the 90's pretty steadily without much chance of occasional cold weather.

    We typically leave the desert and head for the Oregon coast in mid May as by that time it's starting to get serious about 100 degrees.

    Hope this helps

    Ron
  • beaslwd's avatar
    beaslwd
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2014
    South west Arizona deserts can freeze in late Dec and early Jan. Night time temps can get down into the 20's at times. I would wait until Feb - March
    We are between Quartzsite and Parker in the little settlement of Bouse.
  • Powelligator's avatar
    Powelligator
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2014
    Another thing to consider are crowds, if you can believe that. Death Valley's busiest time of the year is Thanksgiving weekend, and it stays busy through New Year's. Temps are mild and days are clear.

    I've done Death Valley in July, and frankly I don't mind the heat and I enjoy the solitude, as that's the "off season" there.

    -Joe
  • 2oldnslow's avatar
    2oldnslow
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2014
    The best time to be in the desert (to me) is in the fall, October - December. The winds are usually much lower than in the spring and the bugs are non-existent. You can still get up to 100 in early October in Death Valley but the other places are a little cooler. By mid-October most places are quite comfortable.
  • Hicksco's avatar
    Hicksco
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2014
    We spent last fall and winter as volunteers for the Tonto National Park @ Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. It was fantastic! Arrived in middle of October 2013 and left April 8th 2014. The weather, things to see, sunrises/sunsets and over all experience was fabulous. Roosevelt Lake is 90miles east of Phoenix. The Tonto National Monument is right there. Campground cost with golden age is $3 a night. Flush bathrooms and showers, very clean. No hookups.
    We plan on a return this fall and winter.!

    Happy Trails;)
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2014
    When the wildflowers are in bloom if you are flexible
    Try http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html for more info

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