Is doing Arizona in August too crazy? Family is considering a trip focused primarily on Sedona, Grand Canyon and northern sites, with a couple of days in one of the lavish Phoenix resorts?

Also, given that the temps might be tolerable, what about crowds at this time.

Finally, any recommendations for great horseback riding ...where an experienced rider might have some freedom beyond typical group trail rides?

Thanks for your input!

It's not crazy but it is one of the hottest months in AZ. Expect temps in the 100's and monsoon rain storms in the evenings (which drives up the humidity). It'll be cooler in the northern part of the state but you might also see more rain. October is much nicer if you can push your plans to then. I live here and I pretty much don't go outside July- mid September Of course if you LIKE the extreme heat then go for it! Crowds are minimal since not a lot of people come to visit AZ when it's so hot. Our peak visitation months are probably Nov-April.

Northern AZ is nice in the summer, altho Sedona could get a little hot - depends on where you are from.

To find out about horseback riding, I would just google 'Flagstaff horseback riding'.

Phoenix will be hot and muggy, however I met a girl in England who loved coming to Phoenix in August.

DH and I were in Tempe and Sedona in mid-September and really regretted our choice. It was VERY hot and humid, making it pretty unbearable for outdoor activites mid-day. We live in Florida and are used to warm and somewhat humid in the summer but this was terrible!

We did similar trip in Aug 04 and while it was really hot, it did not affect our vacation negatively at all.

You just have to be really smart about carrying water with you when you go on trails etc and don't lean against your car or you'll burn your skin. When we walked a little bit down into the Grand Canyon on Bright Angel Trail, they warned us that it would be like 120 degrees below the rim so if you're planning to do any hiking you'll want to start off early and get out early.

Crowds weren't overwhelming. Go early to Grand Canyon and you shouldn't have much trouble parking.

It was pretty neat to see the late afternoon storms come in and then clear so quickly.

Don't know where you are from, but 100 degrees in ARizona, while very hot, is not near as obnoxious as 95 degrees here in Ohio where the humidity will drench you in minutes.

You did not say where you live now, but I can offer some advice about visiting AZ in August. And that is simply this: avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water BEFORE you become thirsty. Too many come to AZ from places with higher humidity and do not realize how much moisture they are losing without much exertion. Keep that water bottle close by and USE IT.

Yes, it's crazy. Does 115 degrees sound good? It's like spending your vacation in an oven. Forget the dry heat thing; it's HOT!!! Go to CA!

We've also done Arizona in August. Hot but still beautiful. Start out early and take LOTS of water. Also in Sedona there is a park called Slide Rock Park that is really beautiful and fun. It has natural water slides and streams you could cool off in. There are picnic tables and clean changing/restrooms.I think there is also a snack stand open. Very beautiful! Look for the website!

The White Mountains are great that time of year. Highs in the upper 70s, nice and dry, monsoon roll in in the afternoon for about 1/2 hour or so and then clear right out.

You'd have more fun in Colorado in August...save Arizona for when you can go in January!

Base yourself in Flagstaff. It's lovely in August.

I'm with MsAmy. We drove to the Grand Canyon one summer and our kids spent the whole time complaining and pouring water over themselves. Make sure they wear shoes as stepping out of the car may result in burned feet.

I live here. I think I know something about AZ. The state has seven climate zones (ecotones), depending on the altitude. These range from the Alpine to the low desert (Sonoran). Temperatures range widely depending on time of day, weather and/or altitude. From July through Labor Day, the Arizona monsoon comes, bringing wind, dust, rain, usually in late afternoon. Temperatures dive. Violent winds, lightning, thunder, and rain follow. The sky clears, temperatures are lower, and the desert and mountains are gorgeous. Can it be hot in AZ in August? Can it be cold in Minnesota in January? What do you expect?

Arizona is fantastic any time of the year....we moved her last July and loved every minute of it. Yes, it gets hot....really hot. Having lived on the East Coast for many years we prefer the "dry" heat. You will have a great time and you will be able to take advantage of the "low" season rates and the lack of crowds!!! We understand that August is supposed to be Monsoon season. That being said, we never saw any rain besides a few drops in the evenings. Who knows!!! Enjoy.

If you go to Arizona in January, there will be snow at the Canyon and in Flagstaff--how silly. The entire state isn't hot all year round, for pete's sake, as USNR quite rightly explains.

Dong Arizona in August is not too crazy if you wear sunscreen, drink lots of water, and oh yes, wear shoes. Wouldn't want to, uh, burn your feet.