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 too can enjoy an eye-popping moonrise.
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 2022 for experiencing a full moon in Phoenix*
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 it sideways for best view of table below.
January 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
16
5:44 p.m.
4:37 p.m.
Full
17
5:45 p.m.
5:33 p.m.
Waning
18
5:46 p.m.
6:32 p.m.
February 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
15
6:13 p.m.
5:23 p.m.
Full
16
6:13 p.m.
6:24 p.m.
Waning
17
6:14 p.m.
7:26 p.m.
March 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
17
6:37 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
Full
18
6:38 p.m.
7:19 p.m.
Waning
19
6:39 p.m.
8:23 p.m.
April 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
15
6:59 p.m.
6:06 p.m.
Full
16
6:59 p.m.
7:13 p.m.
Waning
17
7:00 p.m.
8:23 p.m.
May 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
14
7:21 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Full
15
7:21 p.m.
7:12 p.m.
Waning
16
7:22 p.m.
8:27 p.m.
June 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
13
7:39 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
Full
14
7:39 p.m.
8:28 p.m.
Waning
15
7:39 p.m.
9:34 p.m.
July 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
12
7:39 p.m.
7:12 p.m.
Full
13
7:39 p.m.
8:13 p.m.
Waning
14
7:39 p.m.
9:04 p.m.
August 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
10
7:19 p.m.
6:51 p.m.
Full
11
7:18 p.m.
7:37 p.m.
Waning
12
7:17 p.m.
8:16 p.m.
September 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
9
6:42 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Full
10
6:41 p.m.
7:16 p.m.
Waning
11
6:39 p.m.
7:46 p.m.
October 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
8
6:03 p.m.
5:44 p.m.
Full
9
6:01 p.m.
6:13 p.m.
Waning
10
6:00 p.m.
6:42 p.m.
November 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
7
5:31 p.m.
5:12 p.m.
Full
8
5:30 p.m.
5:44 p.m.
Waning
9
5:29 p.m.
6:21 p.m.
December 2022
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
6
5:20 p.m.
4:19 p.m.
Full
7
5:20 p.m.
4:58 p.m.
Waning
8
5:20 p.m.
5:43 p.m.
*Source: timeanddate.com
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.
Thanks for the feedback, Katelon. I’m basing that statement on personal experiences I’ve had on Navajo Nation. In the summer (DST) months, the time on the reservation is definitely one hour ahead of other places in Arizona that are not on the reservation. This is a sticking point for people who arrange tours on rez time and show up an hour late (on Phoenix time). 😳
Thanks for the calendar. We moved to AZ last December and are loving the natural beauty.
Interesting and helpful post. FYI the Navajo rez does not follow day light savings time.
Thanks for the feedback, Katelon. I’m basing that statement on personal experiences I’ve had on Navajo Nation. In the summer (DST) months, the time on the reservation is definitely one hour ahead of other places in Arizona that are not on the reservation. This is a sticking point for people who arrange tours on rez time and show up an hour late (on Phoenix time). 😳
Sorry Paul. you are correct. AZ doesn’t follow DST, correct? I got them mixed up. I lived on the Navajo rez and I remember it was different than AZ.