8 Coolest Arizona Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025
Arizona may be an arid state with some of the United States’ hottest deserts, but it’s also a state that knows how to stay cool for the summer.
Whether you fancy a leisurely cruise on the open water or an exciting hike to the mountain summits, Arizona has you covered. Here are eight of the coolest Arizona towns for a summer vacation: 2025.
Page
Near the southern shores of Lake Powell and the Utah state line, Page is a picture-perfect town for a cool summer escape. At Antelope Point Marina, you can pick a boat (including houseboats) to rent and sail away to discover the colorful landscapes and beaches all around the lake. If you prefer exploring on dry land, take a hike on The Chains Trail and take in the amazing views of the desert and Glen Canyon Dam. For even more scenery, head to Rattlesnake Canyon and see its uniquely textured sandstone curves.
While in Page, don’t miss out on Horseshoe Bend, one of the most famous spots on the Colorado River where the river bends its way through the desert. Once you’re ready to call it a day, check into the Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell for a cool “base camp” at the center of it all.
Williams
If you want to do an epic Grand Canyon vacation, but you don’t want to spend too much time navigating the maddening crowds, consider staying in the nearby town of Williams. Here, you can ditch the stressful drive to the South Rim and instead enjoy a relaxing ride on the Grand Canyon Railway complete with refreshments, live music performances, and even a (staged) “robbery” on board. And when you ride back to Williams, take a moment to explore the historic Williams Depot that’s stood in town since 1908.
While there’s plenty to see and do at the Grand Canyon, don’t skip on Williams’ own exciting features. From the thrilling rides at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park to the soaring heights at Bill Williams Mountain (at 9,259 feet above sea level), Williams is a very fun mountain town to experience. And by staying at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, you can stay within easy reach of all of this and more.
Jerome
Jerome was once one of the state’s most lucrative mining towns, and Jerome State Historic Park lets you step into the past at the Douglas Mansion that was built on this hill in 1916. Down in town, there are more reminders of Jerome’s hardscrabble past, including the infamous Sliding Jail that actually slid 200 feet down the hill due to underground blasting in 1938.
Like many other mining towns, Jerome’s fortunes also fell hard when the mines started to turn empty, but an influx of hippies and artists in the 1960s brought new life and energy to town. Today, you can still feel Jerome’s artistic spirit at local galleries like Jerome Artists Cooperative and Desert Pearl. More recently, the Verde Valley has emerged as an attractive wine country region, and you can taste the bounty at the Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards tasting room in town. Right next to the Caduceus & Merkin tasting room, the Historic Connor Hotel is great for experiencing authentic Jerome hospitality.
Prescott
Perched about a mile above sea level near the Bradshaw Mountains and the Sierra Prieta range, Prescott abounds in unique mountain and lakeside scenery. Start at Watson Lake, a fairytale-like park where you can kayak or paddleboard in the water while admiring the stunning rock formations at the Granite Dells surrounding the lake. Head west to Granite Basin Recreation Area for another beautiful lake that’s great for fishing, as well as opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. And for more classic alpine scenery, go south to Goldwater Lake for boating, paddling, and mountain hiking.
Back in town, feel free to wander around the charming boutiques and bistros downtown, especially at Whiskey Row by the stately Courthouse Plaza park. And tucked in the heart of Whiskey Row, The Grand Highland Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel that combines convenience, comfort, and retro-chic Prescott-style cool.
Springerville
Less than 15 miles west of the New Mexico state line, Springerville is a fascinating town sitting just over 6,900 feet above sea level in the White Mountains. Head to Casa Malpais Archaeological Park to tour an ancient Mogollon pueblo from the 13th and 14th centuries, and stop at the White Mountain Dinosaur Exploration Center to learn about this region’s geological riches in dinosaur fossils.
Just to the south, Apache National Forest has large expanses of mountain wilderness worth wandering, including the Water Canyon and Three Point Mountain Trails. And back in town, Reed’s Lodge is an old-school, laid-back motor lodge featuring locally made art and furnishings.
Payson
Only about 85 miles northeast of Phoenix, Payson is a cool, verdant mountain town that’s within surprisingly easy reach of the sizzling Valley of the Sun. For some high-quality time in some very great outdoors, hit the Cypress and Boulder Loop Trails to hike a beautiful expanse of local forest. If you’re up for more hiking in the mountains, head north to the Houston Mesa Campground to do the Houston Mesa Interpretive Trail.
If you can use some further change of scenery, drive east to Woods Canyon Lake for a lovely 55-acre lake that’s great for boating and fishing. Drive a little farther east to reach Willow Springs Lake, a gorgeous alpine lake about 7,500 feet above sea level that’s also open for boating and fishing. Between the lakes and the main village lie Creekside Cabins & Tavern, a cozy oasis with classic mountain cabins available to book.
Summerhaven
Living up to its name, Summerhaven really does provide a safe and cool haven high in the Santa Catalina Mountains, around 42 miles northeast of Tucson. The main attraction here is Mt. Lemmon, with a summit at 9,171 feet above sea level, a plethora of scenic hiking trails, and one of the best-developed rock climbing areas in Southern Arizona. Also on the mountain is the University of Arizona’s Mt. Lemmon Skycenter, an observatory and science learning center that’s open to public visits and offers fun workshops and programs like Astronomer Nights.
While in town, take some time to stop at Mt. Lemmon General Store and peruse its offerings, including camping supplies, Mt. Lemmon branded swag, and their famously tasty fudge. Just across the street from the general store, Mt. Lemmon Lodge provides cozy and comfy alpine-style accommodations alongside a Beyond Bread cafe.
Patagonia
Patagonia may be about 19 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, yet this town stays surprisingly cool and flies high thanks to its base elevation around 4,000 feet above sea level. Making this town even more refreshing is the nearby presence of Patagonia Lake State Park, an inviting oasis for boating, paddling, and camping. Between the lake and the main town sits Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve is a beautiful space to hike the trails in one of the nation’s oldest Fremont cottonwood forests and spot a wide variety of native and migrating birds, including herons, owls, geese, and hummingbirds.
Speaking of hummingbirds, bird lovers may also love exploring Tucson Audubon's Paton Center for Hummingbirds, a working and welcoming park and conservation center in town that’s dedicated to protecting the region’s riparian habitats. Also in town, the Stage Stop Inn provides welcome refuge for humans needing some rest after wandering through Patagonia’s wonderful wilderness area.
Arizona Has Hot Deserts, But It’s Also Full of Cool Spots to Enjoy the Summer
When you’re looking for cool towns to do a summer vacation, don’t discount Arizona’s many cool offerings. For a different kind of Grand Canyon excursion, try a stay in Williams and ride the train to all kinds of amazing adventures. If you fancy a more artsy kind of escape, check out the local arts scene and taste some fine wines in Jerome. And for the easiest mountain getaways within short drives of the big cities, Payson and Summerhaven are so close while letting you reach high into the mountains. With these and other lovely towns across the state, Arizona provides plenty of ways to beat the heat this summer.
