Weather in Arizona in November
November is the month Arizona stops trying to kill you. Phoenix and Scottsdale cool to 55-75°F — down from summer's 110°F nightmare. The Grand Canyon South Rim runs 30-55°F during the day, with freezing overnight temps and possible snow at the rim. Sedona sits in the sweet spot at 40-65°F with clear skies almost every day.
Rain is almost nonexistent — November averages less than an inch statewide. The sun shines 25+ days. This is the desert at its most cooperative: warm enough for short sleeves at midday in Phoenix, cool enough to actually enjoy a 5-mile hike without carrying a gallon of water.
- •The temperature swing between Phoenix (75°F) and the Grand Canyon rim (45°F) on the same day catches people off guard. Pack for two seasons.
- •Daylight Saving Time ends in November everywhere except Arizona, which doesn't observe it. Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Check your clocks.
What to Pack
Layers, layers, layers. Phoenix afternoons hit the 70s but Grand Canyon mornings can be below freezing. A warm jacket, gloves, and a beanie for rim hikes at dawn. Sunscreen regardless — the desert sun at 7,000 feet elevation burns fast even in cool weather. Hiking boots with ankle support for canyon trails. Bring a headlamp if you're catching sunrise at the rim.
Grand Canyon South Rim: Fewer Crowds, Better Light
Summer at the Grand Canyon means 6 million visitors fighting for parking spots and sweating through rim walks. November cuts that crowd by more than half. The South Rim stays open year-round, and November is one of the best months to visit — cool temps for hiking, golden afternoon light for photography, and you can actually find a seat at El Tovar dining room.
The Inner Canyon (below the rim) is where November really shines. Summer temps on the Bright Angel Trail regularly exceed 110°F at the river. November? A pleasant 60-70°F at Phantom Ranch. If you've ever wanted to hike below the rim without risking heat stroke, this is your window.
- •El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge book 6+ months ahead even for November. If the in-park lodges are full, Tusayan (1 mile from the entrance) has a dozen hotels.
- •Snow is possible at the rim in late November. The park stays open but some viewpoint roads may close temporarily. Traction devices (microspikes) are smart to pack.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Park entry | $35/vehicle |
| Phantom Ranch cabin | $165/night |
| Phantom Ranch dorm | $68/person |
| El Tovar Lodge | $250-450/night |
| Bright Angel Lodge | $120-200/night |
| Tusayan hotels (outside park) | $100-180/night |
Rim Trail and Viewpoints
The Rim Trail stretches 13 miles along the South Rim and is mostly paved and flat. In November, you can walk from Mather Point to Hermit's Rest without the summer shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Sunset at Hopi Point or Yavapai Point is transcendent — the low autumn sun paints the canyon walls in colors that don't exist in July.
Hermit Road (west of Grand Canyon Village) closes to private vehicles March through November. In late November, it reopens for private cars — no shuttle required. Check the exact date for 2026.
Below the Rim: Day Hikes
Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5-Mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip, 1,131ft descent) is the most popular day hike. In November, the trail is manageable without the extreme heat warnings posted in summer. The 3-Mile Resthouse (6 miles round trip) is a solid half-day option with canyon views that deepen with every switchback.
South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip, 740ft descent) gives you the best views-per-effort ratio in the park. No water on this trail, so carry at least 2 liters. November mornings start cold on the trail — start by 8am and you'll warm up fast on the climb back.
Overnight at Phantom Ranch
Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon is a legendary overnight — dormitory bunks or cabins on the banks of Bright Angel Creek. November availability is easier to snag than summer. Lottery reservations open 15 months in advance at grandcanyonlodges.com. Cabins run $165/night, dorm beds $68/person. Meals are $25-55 and must be reserved.
The hike down Bright Angel Trail to Phantom Ranch is 9.5 miles one way (4,380ft descent). Plan two days minimum — one down, one up. November temps make this dramatically more enjoyable than summer.
Sedona: Red Rocks Meet Fall Color
People don't associate Arizona with fall color, but Sedona in November will change your mind. The cottonwood trees along Oak Creek turn brilliant gold and orange, creating a stunning contrast against the iconic red rock formations. Cathedral Rock reflected in Oak Creek with golden cottonwoods in the foreground is a top-five landscape photo in the American West.
November temps in Sedona run 40-65°F — ideal for the 100+ hiking trails in the area. Summer pushes into the 100s and the trails are miserable. November gives you the red rocks without the sweat.
- •A Red Rock Pass ($5/day) is required for parking at most trailheads. Buy it at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce or any gas station in town. No pass = $75 ticket.
- •Peak fall color on Oak Creek usually hits late October through mid-November. Plan for the first two weeks of November for the best shot.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Pass (parking) | $5/day or $15/week |
| Pink Jeep Tours | $90-130/person |
| Verde Valley wine tasting | $15-20/flight |
| Hotels in Sedona | $180-400/night |
| Airbnb/VRBO | $120-300/night |
Top Hikes
Cathedral Rock Trail (1.2 miles round trip, 744ft gain) is a short, steep scramble to one of the most photographed viewpoints in Arizona. November mornings are crisp and clear — start by 7am for sunrise light on the rocks. The final scramble requires hands-on-rock climbing but no technical gear.
Devil's Bridge Trail (4.2 miles round trip, 400ft gain) leads to the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. The trail itself is moderate. The bridge is dramatic and Instagrammable. November crowds are present but manageable compared to October's peak fall-foliage tourism.
West Fork of Oak Creek Trail (6.9 miles round trip, 200ft gain) is the fall color showpiece. The trail follows Oak Creek through a narrow canyon with towering red walls and golden cottonwoods. Multiple creek crossings require waterproof boots or a willingness to get your feet wet. Go early — parking fills by 9am on weekends.
Beyond Hiking
Pink Jeep Tours ($90-130/person) take you off-road on trails you'd never attempt in a rental car. The Broken Arrow tour is the most popular. For something mellower, the Sedona Trolley ($15/person) hits the major viewpoints without the dust. Wine tasting in the Verde Valley — Page Springs Cellars and Alcantara Vineyards are 20 minutes from town, $15-20 per tasting flight.
Phoenix and Scottsdale: Resort Season Returns
Phoenix in summer is an air-conditioned prison. Phoenix in November is an outdoor playground. Temps in the mid-60s to mid-70s bring the city back to life. The resort pools reopen for sunbathing (not survival cooling), hiking trails become usable again, and the snowbirds start rolling in from the Midwest.
Scottsdale's resort corridor — from The Phoenician to the Four Seasons at Troon North — enters peak season in November. Rates climb from summer's fire-sale prices but remain below the January-March peak when every Midwesterner with a golf bag descends on the Valley of the Sun.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Scottsdale resort (November) | $250-500/night |
| Phoenix hotel | $120-250/night |
| Heard Museum | $25 adult |
| FnB dinner entree | $35-55 |
| Golf (resort courses) | $150-300/round |
Desert Hiking
Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail (2.4 miles round trip, 1,264ft gain) is the iconic Phoenix hike — steep, exposed, and not for beginners. November temps make the exposed sections bearable for the first time since April. Start before 7am for the best light and smallest crowds.
Piestewa Peak (2.2 miles round trip, 1,190ft gain) offers similar views with slightly less technical scrambling. Tom's Thumb Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (4.2 miles round trip, 1,020ft gain) is a Scottsdale local favorite with desert scenery and fewer tourists.
South Mountain Park — the largest municipal park in the country at 16,000 acres — has trails for every fitness level. The National Trail (14.3 miles one-way) is a full-day commitment through saguaro forests.
Food and Culture
Old Town Scottsdale's dining scene punches above its weight. FnB is the reservation to chase ($35-55 entrees, locally sourced everything). The Mission in Old Town does Latin-inspired cuisine in a stunning converted church. For casual, Barrio Queen has street tacos and margs that justify the wait.
The Heard Museum ($25 adult) in Phoenix is the premier museum of Native American art and culture in the Southwest. The Phoenix Art Museum ($23 adult) has a surprisingly strong collection. First Fridays on Roosevelt Row bring galleries, food trucks, and live music to downtown Phoenix.
Saguaro National Park
Split into two districts flanking Tucson, Saguaro National Park protects the densest saguaro cactus forests on Earth. These aren't the scattered cacti you see in Phoenix suburbs — this is a full forest of 40-foot saguaros packed together across desert hillsides. Some individuals are 150-200 years old.
November is primo visiting time. Summer temps in the Tucson district regularly exceed 105°F, turning desert hiking into a survival exercise. November runs 50-75°F with zero rain. The saguaros are done blooming (that's May-June) but the low-angle autumn light makes the cactus forest photographs unforgettable.
- •Pair Saguaro with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum ($24 adult), a world-class zoo/botanical garden/natural history museum 15 minutes from the west district. Budget half a day.
- •Bring more water than you think — the desert air is so dry that sweat evaporates before you notice it. Dehydration sneaks up on you even in 65°F weather.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Park entry | $25/vehicle |
| Tucson hotels | $100-200/night |
| Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum | $24 adult |
Rincon Mountain District (East)
The east district has more trails and wilder terrain. The Cactus Forest Loop Drive (8 miles) gives a windshield overview. For hiking, the Freeman Homestead Nature Trail (1 mile) is an easy intro. Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (15.4 miles one-way, 6,000ft gain) climbs from cactus desert into pine forest at 8,000 feet — one of the most dramatic elevation transitions in the Southwest.
Tucson Mountain District (West)
The west side is smaller but has denser saguaro stands and the Signal Hill Petroglyphs — ancient Hohokam rock art dating back 800+ years. The Valley View Overlook Trail (0.8 miles round trip) gives you the postcard shot of saguaros against the Tucson Mountains. Sunset here is absurd.
Where to Eat and Stay
Arizona's food scene has evolved far beyond Tex-Mex (though the Tex-Mex is still excellent). Sonoran-style Mexican food — think flour tortillas, carne seca, and Tucson's famous Sonoran hot dogs wrapped in bacon — defines the southern half. Phoenix and Scottsdale bring farm-to-table dining with a Southwest twist.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Tucson Sonoran hot dog | $3-5 |
| El Charro dinner | $15-25 |
| Pizzeria Bianco pie | $16-22 |
| Kai tasting menu | $75-150/person |
| Scottsdale resort | $250-500/night |
| Grand Canyon lodge | $120-450/night |
| Sedona hotel | $180-400/night |
Tucson Dining
Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy — the first in the US. El Charro Cafe claims to have invented the chimichanga (fight about it). El Guero Canelo serves Tucson's best Sonoran hot dogs for $4 each. For upscale, Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails by James Beard winner Janos Wilder does modern Southwest cuisine at $25-45 entrees.
Phoenix/Scottsdale Dining
Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix is regularly called the best pizza in America — the margherita is $18 and worth every penny. Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is the only AAA Five Diamond/Forbes Five Star restaurant in Arizona, featuring Pima and Maricopa ingredients ($75-150/person tasting menu). For something casual, the food hall at The Churchill has local vendors with everything from ramen to empanadas.
Accommodation Strategy
November is the shoulder between summer deals and winter peak pricing. Scottsdale resorts like The Phoenician ($300-500/night) and Mountain Shadows ($250-400/night) offer November rates 20-30% below their January-March peak. Grand Canyon lodges should be booked 3-6 months ahead. Sedona has limited inventory — book early or pay a premium.
Budget Breakdown
A realistic 6-day Arizona trip in November covering Phoenix, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon. Prices per person, mid-range accommodation.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Flights (domestic) | $150-380 |
| Hotels (6 nights) | $720-2,400 |
| Rental car (6 days) | $220-400 |
| Food (6 days) | $300-650 |
| Activities + parks | $100-300 |
| Gas | $60-100 |
| Total | $1,550-4,230 |
Sample 6-Day Itinerary
This route runs Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon with a Tucson extension. A car is essential — distances between destinations are 2-4 hours.
Days 1-2: Phoenix and Scottsdale
Fly into PHX. Day 1: Camelback Mountain hike in the morning (start by 7am), afternoon at the Heard Museum, dinner in Old Town Scottsdale. Day 2: Desert Botanical Garden morning ($25 adult), South Mountain Park hike, Pizzeria Bianco for lunch (go at 11am opening to skip the line). Evening at Roosevelt Row if it's First Friday.
Days 3-4: Sedona
Drive 2 hours north to Sedona. Day 3: Cathedral Rock hike at sunrise, afternoon wine tasting in Verde Valley, sunset from Airport Mesa overlook (free). Day 4: West Fork of Oak Creek Trail for fall color (start early for parking), Pink Jeep Tour in the afternoon. Dinner at Elote Cafe ($35-50 entrees, no reservations, line up at 4:30pm).
Days 5-6: Grand Canyon
Drive 2 hours north to the Grand Canyon South Rim. Day 5: South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point in the morning. Rim Trail walk from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. Sunset at Hopi Point. Dinner at El Tovar. Day 6: Bright Angel Trail to 1.5-Mile Resthouse for one last canyon fix. Drive 3.5 hours back to Phoenix for an evening flight.
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