We conduct our Southwest Circle Helicopter Excursion on predetermine dates from February through May and September through November. A complete list of upcoming dates can be found below.
When Is the Best Time of Year?
People often ask what is the best month to go on this excursion. Use the following information to guide you:
- March and November are generally much cooler than other months, especially at night at high altitude destinations such as the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. Snow is a possibility in these areas, although it doesn’t usually affect travel or other activities. This is outside the normal “tourist season,” so destinations are less crowded.
- April and October are probably the two best months for the excursion. It’s still cool out at night, but weather is normally clear throughout the day every day. April tends to be a bit windy, which can make for bumpy helicopter flights and rough water on Lake Powell for the included boat tour.
- May and September can have problematic weather. Wind is a definite factor in May, although skies are normally clear. September is the tail end of Arizona’s summer “monsoon” season, so afternoon thunderstorms with high winds are common. This usually does not affect travel or tours scheduled early in the day. Monsoon season’s dramatic weather offers many interesting opportunities for photographers.
Upcoming Dates
Because of the multiple-hotel coordination required for this tour, it is offered on specific dates only. Here is a current list of upcoming dates; dates that have strikethrough formatting are no longer available:
| Spring 2010 | Autumn 2010 |
|---|---|
| September 5 – 10 September 19 – 24 October 3 – 8 October 17 – 22 October 24 – 29 October 31 – November 5 November 7 – 12 November 14 – 19 |
|
| Spring 2011 | Autumn 2011 |
| February 27 – March 4 March 6 – 11 March 20 – 25 March 27 – April 1 April 3 – 8 April 10 – 15 April 17 – 22 April 24 – 29 |
September 11 – 16 September 18 – 23 September 25 – September 30 October 2 – 7 October 9 – 14 October 16 – 21 October 23 – 28 October 30 – November 4 November 6 – 11 November 13 – 18 |
