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 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 2023 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 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
5
5:34 p.m.
4:28 p.m.
Full
6
5:35 p.m.
5:21 p.m.
Waning
7
5:36 p.m.
6:17 p.m.
February 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
4
6:02 p.m.
5:09 p.m.
Full
5
6:03 p.m.
6:07 p.m.
Waning
6
6:04 p.m.
7:04 p.m.
March 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
6
6:29 p.m.
5:55 p.m.
Full
7
6:29 p.m.
6:52 p.m.
Waning
8
6:30 p.m.
7:50 p.m.
April 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
4
6:50 p.m.
5:41 p.m.
Full
5
6:51 p.m.
6:39 p.m.
Waning
6
6:52 p.m.
7:40 p.m.
May 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
4
7:13 p.m.
6:25 p.m.
Full
5
7:14 p.m.
7:36 p.m.
Waning
6
7:14 p.m.
8:46 p.m.
June 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
2
7:42 p.m.
7:33 p.m.
Full
3
7:41 p.m.
8:34 p.m.
Waning
4
7:41 p.m.
9:26 p.m.
July 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
2
7:42 p.m.
7:33 p.m.
Full
3
7:41 p.m.
8:34 p.m.
Waning
4
7:41 p.m.
9:26 p.m.
August 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
31
7:28 p.m.
7:12 p.m.
Full
1
7:28 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Waning
2
7:27 p.m.
8:40 p.m.
August 2023 (Blue moon)
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
29
6:57 p.m.
6:32 p.m.
Full
30
6:56 p.m.
7:09 p.m.
Waning
31
6:54 p.m.
7:42 p.m.
September 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
28
6:16 p.m.
6:09 p.m.
Full
29
6:15 p.m.
6:39 p.m.
Waning
30
6:14 p.m.
7:11 p.m.
October 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
27
5:41 p.m.
5:06 p.m.
Full
28
5:40 p.m.
5:39 p.m.
Waning
29
5:39 p.m.
6:14 p.m.
November 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
26
5:21 p.m.
4:47 p.m.
Full
27
5:20 p.m.
5:32 p.m.
Waning
28
5:20 p.m.
6:22 p.m.
December 2023
Phase
Day
Sunset
Moonrise
Waxing
25
5:26 p.m.
4:12 p.m.
Full
26
5:27 p.m.
5:06 p.m.
Waning
27
5:27 p.m.
6:05 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.
Now updated with the correct year. Since my post is intended for people who want to plane full moon activities, like hikes, I went with sunset/moonrise times rather than the official full moon time. Thanks for alerting me. I really appreciate it.
Hi Paul,
Your entire chart is for 2022, not 2023. Feb.’s full moon is tomorrow, the 5th, at 10:28 am pst.
Thanks for letting me know. I did update it but must’ve republished last year’s chart. I’ll update it when I get back home.
Now updated with the correct year. Since my post is intended for people who want to plane full moon activities, like hikes, I went with sunset/moonrise times rather than the official full moon time. Thanks for alerting me. I really appreciate it.