As the winter months roll around, Arizona truly comes alive. While much of the United States has to brave frigid temperatures, massive amounts of snow, and the daily chore of dealing with the icy winter weather, Arizona has mild weather that just can’t be beaten. One of the best parts of living in, or visiting, the Phoenix area is that there are countless cool places to visit in Arizona, most of them reachable by car within just a few hours.
Whether you are a long-time Arizonian, new to the area, or just looking to plan a visit, here is a list of the best places to visit in Arizona during the beautiful, desert winter.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the top places to visit in Arizona year-round, and for good reason. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, it is a breathtaking sight, something that everyone should take in at least once in their life. Add a light winter dusting of snow and you have a desert winter wonderland. During the winter months, only the South Rim of the canyon is open, so plan accordingly. About four hours from Phoenix, it is an easy weekend trip that will give you lifelong memories.
Mount Lemmon
Many people are surprised to hear that Arizona has a number of ski resorts, and even more surprised when they hear that you don’t necessarily have to go north to find the snow. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is located just a short drive outside of Tucson, one of the places to visit in Arizona that is less well-known but definitely worth the short trip.
Greer
This winter getaway has several dreamy cabins and inns where you can cozy up after a day of playing in the snow. You easily can drive to Greer from Phoenix, although you will probably want to make a night (or even a weekend) of the trip to really get the most out of the gorgeous area. Enjoy playing in the snow surrounded by the beautiful scenery and then finish off the day with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire.
Mormon Lake
About 2.5 hours northeast of Phoenix, Mormon Lake is a scenic forest lake surrounded by the beauty of nature. Take a guided snowmobile tour during the snowy winter months to get an up-close experience with the area.
Oak Hill Snow-Play Area
Whether you have your own kids or are just in touch with your inner child, Oak Hill offers the perfect space to have a snowball fight and build a snowman or two. One of the top places to visit in Arizona for a little snowy fun, it is about 2.5 hours from Phoenix, just off of historic Route 66 near Williams.
The list of amazing destinations in Arizona is a mile-long with places to be enjoyed not just in the winter months, but year-round. Many visitors find themselves deciding to move to the desert state after realizing all there is to offer. The gorgeous winter temperatures, combined with the variety of things to do in the Phoenix area and beyond, make it an ideal place for people of all ages to live.
Heers Management works with many beautiful apartment complexes in the Phoenix area where you can live within driving distance of countless Arizona travel spots. Check out our properties in West Phoenix, a location that offers a dynamic lifestyle for people who want to truly experience Arizona. For more information, contact Heers Managementtoday and take the first step towards starting an incredible life in the desert.
Feature photo: Wyatt Rivard/Shutterstock