Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy gazing up at a big, beautiful full moon? In Arizona, people sometimes go to great lengths for amazing full moon experiences. With a little planning and cooperative weather, you can enjoy an eye-popping moonrise, too.
Tips for enjoying a full moon in Arizona
Best vantage points for watching the moonrise are on mountaintops with unobstructed views to the east
Your best opportunities for viewing both the sunset and full moon are the evening of actual full moon and the day before (Waxing Gibbous)
Waxing Gibbous describes the phase when the visible surface of the moon is getting larger day by day. This happens on the days leading up to full moon.
Waning Gibbous describes the phase when the visible surface of the moon is getting smaller day by day. This happens on the days following a full moon.
In summer months, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself from the extreme heat Arizona is known for, even at night.
The moon’s phases
🌑 New 🌒 Waxing Crescent 🌓 First Quarter 🌔 Waxing Gibbous 🌕 Full 🌖 Waning Gibbous 🌗 Third Quarter 🌘 Waning Crescent
The most important thing you need to know for excellent moon-watching experiences is when the full moon will occur each month. The date of full moon varies from month to month. Some months actually get a full moon twice. The second full moon to occur in one month is called a “blue moon.”
Best dates in 2021 for experiencing a full moon in Phoenix*
*Source: timeanddate.com
Sunset and moonrise times will vary by up to ten minutes around the state. Tip: Unlike most of Arizona, some of the larger Indian reservations, such as Navajo Nation, do participate in Daylight Savings Time and are off by an hour during DST.
On your phone? Turn sideways for best view of table below.
January 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
27
5:57 p.m.
4:56 p.m.
Full
28
5:56 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Waning
29
5:59 p.m.
7:05 p.m.
February 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
26
6:22 p.m.
5:54 p.m.
Full
27
6:23 p.m.
7:02 p.m.
Waning
28
6:24 p.m.
8:11 p.m.
March 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
27
6:46 p.m.
5:49 p.m.
Full
28
6:46 p.m.
6:58 p.m.
Waning
29
6:47 p.m.
9:21 p.m.
April 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
25
7:06 p.m.
5:43 p.m.
Full
26
7:07 p.m.
6:55 p.m.
Waning
27
7:08 p.m.
8:10 p.m.
May 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
25
7:28 p.m.
6:56 p.m.
Full
26
7:29 p.m.
8:11 p.m.
Waning
27
7:30 p.m.
9:23 p.m.
June 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
23
7:41 p.m.
6:58 p.m.
Full
24
7:41 p.m.
8:07 p.m.
Waning
25
7:41 p.m.
9:08 p.m.
July 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
22
7:34 p.m.
6:51 p.m.
Full
23
7:34 p.m.
7:47 p.m.
Waning
24
7:33 p.m.
8:34 p.m.
August 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
21
7:06 p.m.
7:08 p.m.
Full
22
7:05 p.m.
7:44 p.m.
Waning
23
7:04 p.m.
8:15 p.m.
September 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
19
6:28 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
Full
20
6:27 p.m.
6:44 p.m.
Waning
21
6:25 p.m.
7:12 p.m.
October 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
19
5:49 p.m.
5:41 p.m.
Full
20
5:48 p.m.
6:08 p.m.
Waning
21
5:47 p.m.
6:37 p.m.
November 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
18
5:23 p.m.
5:09 p.m.
Full
19
5:23 p.m.
5:43 p.m.
Waning
20
5:23 p.m.
6:22 p.m.
December 2021
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
17
5:23 p.m.
4:21 p.m.
Full
18
5:24 p.m.
5:03 p.m.
Waning
19
5:24 p.m.
5:50 p.m.
Full moon rising over mountains
View of a full moon rising as the amber glow of sunset illuminates rocky hills in Dreamy Draw Park.
It’s cool to see a massive full moon rising up over the horizon, but it’s even better if you plan ahead and watch it from a hilltop with your camera and someone you enjoy hanging out with. Use the tips and table above to plot your next amazing full moon viewing experience.
Take part in a guided full-moon tour in Phoenix
If you’re in the Phoenix area, consider participating in a full moon tour guided by Paul Fiarkoski – creator of this blog and author of Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal.
Want more info?Read this description of the experience offered in conjunction with Airbnb.
