Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Planning Your Trip
to the Southwest
You may find the Southwest very different from what you expected.
Travelers often envision only desert, saguaro cactuses, and intense heat. In fact, much of
the area lies upwards of 5,000 feet in elevation, which means that four full seasons act
upon the land. The sun can indeed be scorching, so come prepared with a hat and plenty
of sunscreen.
Also note the often-significant distances between cities. Your best bet is to travel by car
here, as many of the “must see” attractions are located off the main thoroughfares tra-
versed by the few public transportation options available. Besides, there are few enjoy-
ments as great as driving in the sparkling light through farming villages and past ancient
ruins, around plazas and over mountain passes, finding your own road to nowhere, and
then taking that attitude home.
We also suggest that you do some advance planning if you want to see any special
shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, or to visit any of the national parks during the high summer
season. For additional help in planning your trip and for more on-the-ground resources
in the Southwest, please turn to “Fast Facts: American Southwest,” on p. 607.
1
WHEN TO GO
THE CLIMATE
The climate in the
Southwest is, overall, a great pleasure.
Though the low humidity can dry your
skin, the same aridness makes the heat and
cold easier to handle and promises lots of
sunny days. Summers are hot throughout
most of the region, though distinctly
cooler at higher elevations. Winters are
relatively mild in the south, harsher in the
north and in the mountains. Spring and
fall have pleasant temperatures, though
spring winds blow throughout the region.
Rainfall is sparse except in the higher
mountains; summer afternoon thunder-
storms and winter snows account for most
precipitation.
WHEN TO GO
The Southwest is a year-
round destination, although people head
to different parts at different times of year.
In Phoenix, Tucson, and other parts of the
desert, the high season runs from October
to mid-May, with the highest hotel rates
during the holidays. Wintertime is also
high season in the mountain areas of
northern New Mexico and southern Colo-
rado, where skiing is popular.
Summer is high season at most national
parks, particularly Grand Canyon and
Carlsbad Caverns, though the latter
receives much less traffic than the former.
In late summer, monsoon rains cool the
region in afternoons. But beware: These
storms can cause flash floods that make
roads briefly impassable. Avoid entering
low areas if it's raining anywhere nearby.
