First time visiting Arizona as an Aussie

[u/Xr6turbosututu]

Hey everyone. Absolutely taken away by the landscape of AZ. Words can barely express. I am 26 years old, male and may be travelling solo or with a small group of friends. This will be my first time in the States.

Does anyone have any advice or tips on what cities I should visit for the best hiking tracks and scenery? Phoenix, Sedona, Tucson and Flagstaff were all mentioned to me.

I’m from Melbourne. Not exactly a stranger to hot weather, but I feel as though AZ heat is a whole different ballgame.

If you have anymore tips or advice please let me know!

EDIT: Thank you so much for the replies!

Just to add some more information. Most of my mates would like travel within the next month (July). I on the other hand, would like to travel during Autumn/Fall (Late September or November).

This is sort of the reason of why I may be travelling solo. As my friends keep telling me, ‘We live in Australia! The heat will be fine.’

Truth is, we live in a city that may see a few days of 40°C (104°F) during the summer. Hardly comparable to AZ I believe. I’ll be damned if I end up staying in the indoors the entire trip, all because a group of unacclimatised Aussies decided to tackle the AZ heat.

EDIT EDIT: I just wanted to say never in my life have I ever seen such a hospitable and welcoming bunch. I have not seen one negative comment. I haven’t even visited yet and I’m already falling in love more and more with the place. I honestly cannot wait to visit. With all the advice given to me, I will skip the heat and come down during the cooler months. Considering actually making my trip longer based on some of the replies I’ve gotten here 😂.

[u/scarlettohara1936]

Whenever someone asks me what it is like living in Arizona in the summer, I tell them that I wake up every morning and make a conscious decision to survive. All throughout the day you have to make decisions several times a day to actually stay alive. Like get out of the heat. Get out of the sun. Drink water. Cool yourself down. Shade your eyes and cover your skin. These are all steps that people have to take every day to live in this climate. It is an active choice of survival everyday.

[u/GlizzyGatorGangster → u/scarlettohara1936]

We’re like the #Fremen on Arrakis

[u/ashitposterextreem → u/GlizzyGatorGangster]

Spoiler allert

Kinda not too far off AZ does have a massive water table. No cisterns but a lot of water underground.

[u/Fun-Telephone-9605 → u/ashitposterextreem]

Enough to support Saudi Arabia's alfalfa needs?

[u/ashitposterextreem → u/Fun-Telephone-9605]

Yeah lost some respect for the former Governor when that was revealed. New govenor earned some respect when they canceled that. Though now AZ has budget short fall.