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
- In summer months, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself from the extreme heat Arizona is known for, even at night.
- 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.
Related: 3 tips for an amazing hiking by moonlight experience
The moon’s phases
🌑 New
🌒 Waxing Crescent
🌓 First Quarter
🌔 Waxing Gibbous
🌕 Full
🌖 Waning Gibbous
🌗 Third Quarter
🌘 Waning Crescent
Source: spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/
When is full moon?
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 2024 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 (mainly summer months).
On your phone? Turn it sideways for best view of table below.
January 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 24 | 5:51 p.m. | 4:55 p.m. |
| Full | 25 | 5:52 p.m. | 5:55 p.m. |
| Waning | 26 | 5:53 p.m. | 6:55 p.m. |
February 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 23 | 6:19 p.m. | 5:46 p.m. |
| Full | 24 | 6:20 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Waning | 25 | 6:21 p.m. | 7:37 p.m. |
March 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 24 | 6:43 p.m. | 6:26 p.m. |
| Full | 25 | 6:44 p.m. | 7:22 p.m. |
| Waning | 26 | 6:44 p.m. | 8:18 p.m. |
April 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 22 | 7:04 p.m. | 6:11 p.m. |
| Full | 23 | 7:05 p.m. | 7:09 p.m. |
| Waning | 24 | 7:06 p.m. | 8:10 p.m. |
May 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 22 | 7:27 p.m. | 7:02 p.m. |
| Full | 23 | 7:27 p.m. | 8:06 p.m. |
| Waning | 24 | 7:28 p.m. | 9:09 p.m. |
June 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 20 | 7:41 p.m. | 6:56 p.m. |
| Full | 21 | 7:41 p.m. | 7:59 p.m. |
| Waning | 22 | 7:41 p.m. | 8:55 p.m. |
July 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 20 | 7:35 p.m. | 7:56 p.m. |
| Full | 21 | 7:35 p.m. | 8:22 p.m. |
| Waning | 22 | 7:34 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
August 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 18 | 7:10 p.m. | 6:54 p.m. |
| Full | 19 | 7:08 p.m. | 7:31 p.m. |
| Waning | 20 | 7:07 p.m. | 8:03 p.m. |
September 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 16 | 6:32 p.m. | 5:58 p.m. |
| Full | 17 | 6:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Waning | 18 | 6:29 p.m. | 7:01 p.m. |
Did you know?
The name Harvest Moon is given to whichever full moon falls closest to the autumnal equinox. This Newsweek article explains it.
October 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 16 | 5:52 p.m. | 5:27 p.m. |
| Full | 17 | 5:51 p.m. | 6:01 p.m. |
| Waning | 18 | 5:50 p.m. | 6:39 p.m. |
November 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 14 | 5:25 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| Full | 15 | 5:25 p.m. | 5:11 p.m. |
| Waning | 16 | 5:24 p.m. | 5:59 p.m. |
December 2024
| Phase | Day | Sunset | Moonrise |
| Waxing | 14 | 5:21 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Full | 15 | 5:22 p.m. | 5:38 p.m. |
| Waning | 16 | 5:22 p.m. | 6:44 p.m. |
*Source: timeanddate.com
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.
About your guide
Since moving to Arizona in 2012, I’ve logged thousands of miles on hiking trails and byways. After a 3-day adventure to the falls of Havasupai in the Grand Canyon, I was inspired to author the bestselling Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal that details the top 50 natural wonders in the state.
