Want to know how to stay cool in Tucson this summer? Tucson in the summer is an incredible time to visit, but it’s also important to keep in mind the high temperatures and ensure you plan your days around them. The average high in July is 101 degrees, with the average low coming in at 74 degrees. So, we’ve come up with our top 5 favorite activities to stay cool in the summer heat!
Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon’s peak, at 9,171 feet, is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains and is one of the Sky Islands in Coronado National Forest. An average of 30 degrees cooler and just an hour away, this special place is a haven in the summer and an outdoor playground in the winter. This is not only a great way to beat the heat, but Sky Islands offer drastically different environments as the elevation changes rapidly. The Sky Island Scenic Byway is the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada in a stretch of only 26 miles!
Desert Museum
Check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to experience their zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium. A visit to this museum is a diverse and immersive experience! This summer, through August 27th, the museum is offering Cool Summer Nights on Saturdays. Bring your flashlight and watch the nocturnal animals come alive at night! You can grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, feel the touch of a stingray or participate in special nightly activities.
Caves
Probably the coolest summer activity in Tucson is a visit to Kartchner Caverns State Park! You can take a tour of the cave (reservations highly recommended) and walk amongst the stalagmites and stalactites while learning something along the way. Discover the role water plays in creating the caverns, see 45,000-year-old bat guano, delicate formations, and “Kubla Khan,” the largest column formation in Arizona.
Kitt Peak
Pack a picnic and head up to Kitt Peak to take advantage of the cooler temperatures at the Peak! At 7,000 ft elevation, temperatures on Kitt Peak are typically 15-20 cooler than the valley floor. The day-use area closes at 4 pm, but if you have tickets and are so inclined, you can remain at Kitt Peak for a cool evening of astronomical wonders during their Night Observation Program.
Patagonia Lake
About an hour south of Tucson, Patagonia Lake State Park is a great spot to soak in the sun while staying cool. You can take a boat out on Patagonia Lake and even do a little fishing! If you don’t have your own vessel, the park has canoes and row boats available for rent. Or, with certain restrictions (no cruise ships or submarines), you can bring your own boat.
Stargate West offers a variety of luxury apartments, for summer stays or longer. Contact us today and we would be happy to help make your accommodation dreams come true!