Whew, those temperatures are getting hot outside! If you happen to be living in any of Arizona’s desert regions, you’re probably not looking forward to sweating through 120-degree days. A walk to the mailbox or into the grocery store can be brutal with that harsh sun beating down but a quick break from the heat isn’t that far away! If you want to escape the temperatures soon, check out some of these incredible places around Arizona that are beautiful and, most importantly, cool.
- Head out for a hike and swim at Fossil Creek.
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr Can you think of a prettier place to spend a summer afternoon? The water is cool, the area is shaded, and it feels a bit like paradise. Just be sure to get your permit early before heading out there!
- Go deep down into the depths of Grand Canyon Caverns.
Michael Kappel/Flickr Another option for staying cool: get out of the sun and head underground. In this case, you’ll travel approximately 20 stories underground for the cool, quiet caverns in northern Arizona. Enjoy a tour and, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, try an overnight stay in their exclusive hotel room in the cave.
- Splash around at Grasshopper Point.
Christine Riggle/Flickr There’s nothing quite like doggy paddling around a swimming hole and this one near Sedona is perfect. It’s located just off the highway and be sure to arrive early! It fills up with other visitors quite fast.
- Spend a few days camping at Jacob Lake.
Alan English CPA/Flickr This area is closed in the winter months so make the most of your summer vacation by paying a visit to this underrated campground. Here, you’ll get to enjoy some quiet hiking trails, plenty of campsites, and a chance to view the wildlife that call this place home.
- Enjoy a naturally chilly environment in Lava River Cave.
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr Unfortunately, you won’t find lava or a river flowing through the cold environment in this cave but it’s a nice escape from toasty temperatures. Lava River Cave is located north of Flagstaff and stays a chilly 42-degrees even in the summer months.
- Leave the desert in just a few miles by trekking to Mount Lemmon.
Alan English CPA/Flickr Mount Lemmon sits within viewing distance of Tucson but the two environments couldn’t be any more different! Take a few hours on a hot day to drive up the Santa Catalina Mountains and enjoy the cool pine air.
- Drive to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
Michael Kappel/Flickr The North Rim is known for being closed in the winter so be sure to check it out while the temperatures are warm. During the summer months, take time to drive here, do some sightseeing, camping, and hiking. And the best part? You can avoid the massive crowds of the South Rim by visiting this part of the park.
- Enjoy a scenic ride aboard a ski lift at Sunrise Ski Park Resort.
Sunrise Park Resort/Facebook Want to feel like you’re flying? Take a ride on the ski lift at one of Arizona’s ski resorts, like this one in the White Mountains. The ski resort also hosts zip lines, a fun alternative for a cool summer day.
- Spend an afternoon soaking up the sun while kayaking on the Verde River.
Nick/Flickr If getting out on the water is your idea of the ideal way to spend a summer day, then you will love a visit to the Verde River. The area is surrounded with trees and you will love the smooth flow of this river.
- Enjoy an afternoon on Woods Canyon Lake.
USDA Forest Service/Flickr This small lake has to be one of the prettiest in the state! Surrounded by pines in Rim Country, Woods Canyon Lake is the ideal location for boating, fishing, camping, or even just floating on the water in a tube.
Looking for more things to do while you’re out and about in Arizona? Try a hike! Read 8 Amazing Arizona Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love for some great suggestions.
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr
Can you think of a prettier place to spend a summer afternoon? The water is cool, the area is shaded, and it feels a bit like paradise. Just be sure to get your permit early before heading out there!
Michael Kappel/Flickr
Another option for staying cool: get out of the sun and head underground. In this case, you’ll travel approximately 20 stories underground for the cool, quiet caverns in northern Arizona. Enjoy a tour and, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, try an overnight stay in their exclusive hotel room in the cave.
Christine Riggle/Flickr
There’s nothing quite like doggy paddling around a swimming hole and this one near Sedona is perfect. It’s located just off the highway and be sure to arrive early! It fills up with other visitors quite fast.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
This area is closed in the winter months so make the most of your summer vacation by paying a visit to this underrated campground. Here, you’ll get to enjoy some quiet hiking trails, plenty of campsites, and a chance to view the wildlife that call this place home.
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr
Unfortunately, you won’t find lava or a river flowing through the cold environment in this cave but it’s a nice escape from toasty temperatures. Lava River Cave is located north of Flagstaff and stays a chilly 42-degrees even in the summer months.
Mount Lemmon sits within viewing distance of Tucson but the two environments couldn’t be any more different! Take a few hours on a hot day to drive up the Santa Catalina Mountains and enjoy the cool pine air.
The North Rim is known for being closed in the winter so be sure to check it out while the temperatures are warm. During the summer months, take time to drive here, do some sightseeing, camping, and hiking. And the best part? You can avoid the massive crowds of the South Rim by visiting this part of the park.
Sunrise Park Resort/Facebook
Want to feel like you’re flying? Take a ride on the ski lift at one of Arizona’s ski resorts, like this one in the White Mountains. The ski resort also hosts zip lines, a fun alternative for a cool summer day.
Nick/Flickr
If getting out on the water is your idea of the ideal way to spend a summer day, then you will love a visit to the Verde River. The area is surrounded with trees and you will love the smooth flow of this river.
USDA Forest Service/Flickr
This small lake has to be one of the prettiest in the state! Surrounded by pines in Rim Country, Woods Canyon Lake is the ideal location for boating, fishing, camping, or even just floating on the water in a tube.
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