Visit in Late Jan/early Feb

Question

Hi all, I've been researching quite a bit a trip to Arizona for late January/early February. I enjoy hiking and national parks so have mainly been looking at staying in Sedona for 3 nights and Grand Canyon South Rim for 2 nights. Flying in and out of Phoenix. I'm not worried about the cold and would prefer this time of year when it's (hopefully) less crowded at each hike and accommodations are more affordable. My concern is the fires in CA. I know that the Santa Ana winds are currently blowing towards the Pacific Ocean. Has anyone who lives in AZ been affected by smoke in the air in AZ, or have heard when/if the winds may start blowing east towards AZ and affecting air quality?

I haven't booked anything yet and am wondering if I need to hold off and take this trip another time. Since all our planned activities will all be outside, I don't want to book a trip where we end up having to stay inside due to poor air quality, as there are really no alternative activities I want to do indoors. Thanks for any insight you all have! And for AZ residents, I really hope the air quality is not affected by the fires!

Answer

Late January to early February is generally a great time to visit Arizona, especially if your focus is hiking and national parks. Both Sedona and the Grand Canyon South Rim tend to be less crowded compared to the spring and fall peak seasons, and you’ll likely find better rates for accommodations.

Regarding air quality and smoke from California fires:

Santa Ana winds are primarily a Southern California phenomenon that typically blow from the inland deserts toward the Pacific coast, which generally keeps most smoke from reaching Arizona. However, under certain weather patterns, smoke from large wildfires can drift eastward, occasionally affecting air quality in western Arizona and Phoenix. These events are sporadic and usually short-lived, but it’s good to be aware and monitor air quality forecasts before and during your trip.

Most years, central and northern Arizona, including Sedona and the Grand Canyon, experience minimal impact from CA fires in late winter. Winds tend to be less extreme than in fall months.
If a significant fire is active and the winds shift unusually, haze or reduced visibility can occur, but it’s uncommon in late January/early February.
Air quality can be monitored via local forecasts, the EPA AirNow website, or local news updates, which will alert you to any advisories.

Other considerations for this trip:

Temperatures at the South Rim can be cold, often below freezing at night, with a possibility of snow, but trails are usually accessible for hiking during the day if dressed appropriately.
Daytime highs in Sedona are typically in the mid-50s to low-60s (°F), making it ideal for hiking without the summer heat.
Traveling in this timeframe often means fewer crowds, allowing you to enjoy popular hikes like Cathedral Rock or Bright Angel Trail with more solitude.

Overall, unless a major fire is active in California with unusual eastward winds, your planned trip should not be significantly impacted by smoke. You can book with confidence but remain flexible by checking air quality forecasts in the days leading up to your travel.