Wondering what to pack for Arizona in August, September or October? Between the extreme heat, unpredictable trail conditions and more, packing for the desert can actually be life or death. Here’s the ultimate Arizona hiking packing list.
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Hiking Poles
First and foremost, you’ll want to bring sturdy hiking poles for your Arizona hikes that have significant elevation gain. A good rule of thumb for the physically fit hobby hiker is to bring trekking poles on any hike with 500+ feet of elevation gain or over 4 miles in length. These affordable hiking poles from Amazon were perfect for my Arizona road trip through Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park and Page.
Water Bladder
Likewise, it’s imperative that you pack plenty of water for every single hike, especially for what to pack in Arizona in August and September when the summer heat is still blazing. Hikers die on the trails every year from dehydration, so this is not a packing list item to take lightly. I’m so thankful I packed this two liter BPA-free water bladder in my day pack every day. Fill it with ice in the morning to keep your water from getting hot throughout your hikes.
Hiking Boots
While you could get away with hiking in Arizona with tennis shoes, I highly recommend you invest in a pair of hiking boots with good traction if you plan on taking more than two hikes during your trip. I saw plenty of people slipping and struggling to climb on the red rock in Sedona because they were wearing tennis shoes. I personally love my Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge waterproof hiking boots because they are lightweight and provide fantastic ankle support without looking too chunky.
Compression Socks
Furthermore, wearing crew height compression socks under your hiking boots will increase blood circulation throughout the foot and prevent foot swelling. I bought these white compression socks from Amazon and still wear them daily. But, if you are planning to hike in Sedona or Page, you might consider purchasing the socks in black instead. My white socks did get quite dirty from the dusty desert trails.
Outdoor Sandals
There is no better feeling than taking off your tight hiking boots or tennis shoes and slipping on a pair of outdoorsy sandals after a hike. During our last trip to Arizona, everyone was a little jealous that I had my favorite Teva Women’s Verra sandals to change into once returning to the trailhead to let my feet breathe. I swear by these sandals and their smooth arch support. I’ve worn them for at least a decade now.
Athletic Shorts Or Biker Shorts
When it comes to what to wear in Arizona in August, September or October, plan to wear cool clothes on the trails. Athletic shorts are a great option. Or, if you’re prone to chafing like me, I recommend these knee length Baleaf biker shorts. They are extremely affordable, are made with thick material and pass the squat test. I also love this Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick to keep my thighs from rubbing raw. It works surprisingly well.
Hiking Pants Or Fleece-Lined Leggings
Additionally, you should definitely bring at least one or two pairs of full-length hiking pants or thick fleece-lined leggings (I love my fleece-lined leggings from Eddie Bauer) to Arizona, even if you’re traveling in August. This is because some of the trails are more primitive, less defined and skinnier than others. This means, you’ll probably get scratched by cacti or other desert bushes if you have bare legs. This is particularly true of Keyhole Cave in Sedona or other less popular hikes like it. On popular hikes, you should be fine wearing shorts.
Athletic Tops
On top, moisture-wicking athletic material will be key. Obviously, you’ll be sweating in the Arizona August, September and even October heat, especially during midday hikes. While I recommend you start your hikes before sunrise to avoid as much heat as possible, these affordable athletic tops from Amazon are moisture wicking, sweat-stain preventing, flattering and buttery smooth. I bought one in black, white and light blue because I loved it so much.
Quarter Zip Sweatshirts
Believe it or not, the Arizona desert gets frightfully cold at nights, even in the summer and early fall months. If you plan to start your hikes before sunrise — which, again, I highly suggest — definitely bring a sweatshirt to wear in the mornings. I loved my Eddie Bauer Women’s Trail Ascent Full-Zip Hoodie in Arizona, as it is thick and warm, but also lightweight and thin enough to pack away in your backpack once the sun comes out.
Packable Insulated Down Jacket
Similarly, if you’re packing for Arizona in October, you may consider bringing a packable insulated down jacket, like this Columbia Women’s Westridge Hooded Down Jacket for early morning hikes. This jacket packs down to fit neatly and compactly in your day pack once the sun comes out. Plus, its dark stone color perfectly matches my Columbia hiking boots that I mentioned earlier.
Hiking Backpack
Next, speaking of day packs, you’ll want a backpack or other suitable bag to use as your hiking day pack. Really, any backpack will do, as long as it isn’t too heavy and has straps that are comfortable to wear around your armpits for long periods of time. Here, you can pack your trail gear, snacks, sweatshirt, water bladder and other Arizona hiking essentials for every hike.
Headlamp
Headlamps come in handy for pre-sunrise hikes. With headlamps, you can have a steady light in front of you on the trail while keeping your hands free for your trekking poles. If you’re not an avid hiker, there’s no need to invest more than a few dollars into headlamps. For example, I bought this two pack of Energizer LED headlamps for my husband and I on our Arizona trip in September, and the headlamps worked perfectly.
Handheld Fan
If you’re naturally heat resistant like me, a portable handheld fan will be your best friend and top priority for what to pack for Arizona in August, September or October. This TUNISE rechargeable personal fan will provide plenty of cool air to prevent you from overheating and keep you sane on every hike. Plus, it still works while plugged into a portable charger in case it dies on the trail. I never travel without this fan.
Electrolyte Powder
As previously mentioned, staying hydrated means life or death while hiking in Arizona. Bringing electrolyte powder along with you is an easy way to stay hydrated without the chemicals, sugars and artificial dyes that are commonly added to electrolyte drinks. This organic lemonade flavored electrolyte powder from Goodonya is our favorite organic powder we’ve tasted so far.
Sunscreen
Like staying hydrated, sun protection is also super important for your health, especially when trekking through the Arizona desert. We have found that we’re more apt to reapply enough sunscreen with a can of spray sunscreen. Our favorite non-toxic spray sunscreen is the Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc sunscreen. However, I also love the Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Mist for quickly reapplying over makeup.
Sunglasses
Expensive sunglasses are fabulous, but not if they get lost, stolen, scratched or broken. It’s better to save your nice sunnies for your hometown and to buy cheap sunglasses for your trip. That being said, cheap sunglasses don’t need to look cheap, and not even prescription sunglasses have to be expensive. These Zenni tortoise rectangle sunglasses are my favorite pair of sunglasses I have ever owned, and they cost less than $15 with the basic prescription.
Mini First Aid Kit
As careful as you may consider yourself, trail injuries are unpredictable. I highly recommend bringing a first aid kit with you on every hike, just in case. Definitely carry first aid with you if you plan to hike in any backcountry environment or Sedona cave hikes, such as Subway Cave or the Birthing Cave. I brought this General Medi Mini First Aid Kit along for our Arizona hikes, and it had everything we ever could have needed — bandages, gauze, ointments and more.
Female Urination Device
This next Arizona hiking essential is totally optional but certainly useful. For all my ladies reading this, a female urination device like this Pitch And Trek device, which I own and have tested, makes relieving yourself a whole lot easier on the trails. No more squatting. With this device, you can go while standing just like men.
Handkerchief
In addition, a handkerchief is a hiking accessory useful for wiping away any sweat or dirt you accumulate on the trails. Although handkerchiefs take up little space in your day pack, you could also tie them around your wrist, neck or hairline to save space. I bought this handkerchief from Amazon in both black and white for my last Arizona hiking trip in September and plan to bring it on future hiking trips.
Swimsuit
Lastly, it is likely that your hotel will have a nice pool to swim in after a long day of hiking. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit to relax and cool off in the water post-hike. I love this simple mid-coverage bandeau bikini from Amazon so much that I bought it in multiple colors.
And there you have it! That’s exactly what to pack for Arizona in August, September and October. Hopefully this packing list makes your packing experience a whole lot easier, quicker and less stressful. Enjoy Arizona!
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