Here’s Why Arizona Sunsets Are the Best in the World

The Sunsets are Amazing in Arizona

Arizona sunsets are technicolor poetry. Nearly every evening throughout the year, our state's scenic mountains partner with the honey-molasses of the setting sun to create a tapestry of beauty that is the envy of the West.

Photographers can't resist the magnificence. Our sunsets are so iconic that Arizona's state flag pays homage to their breathtaking beauty.

Arizona has a one-of-a-kind recipe for spectacular sunsets. Get your camera recipe and learn the science behind the glow.

Read more about the unique beauty of Arizona: 3 Things You Didn't Know About Saguaro Cactus 

What Makes Arizona's Sunsets Glow?

Arizona’s sunsets aren’t just beautiful. They’re scientifically spectacular, according to BeyondArizona.com. The very conditions that make up our desert contribute to the evening splendor.

You can thank our desert air and wide-open skies for a canvas that would make Michelangelo envious. The combination allows sunlight to pass through more of the atmosphere at dusk. That scatters the shorter blue and violet wavelengths. What's left over are the longer wavelengths: reds, oranges, and pinks. They create a beautiful paintbrush, splashing our skies with fiery brilliance.

Add in a touch of dust particles stirred up from the desert soil, swirl in a few wispy high-altitude clouds, and you’ve got nature’s perfect canvas for color.

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How Does the Desert Contribute to Arizona's Beautiful Sunsets?

Our sunsets owe their vibrancy to Arizona’s unique geography. The Sonoran Desert’s clean, dry air allows light to scatter more vividly, while our mountain ranges reflect the hues of twilight in glowing purples and golds. During monsoon season, winds stir up dust and sediment, enhancing the scattering effect and intensifying the colors. It’s a nightly masterpiece shaped by nature’s hand.

Here's something else that makes Arizona special: Arizona's Dark Skies

Why Photographers Love Arizona's Sunsets

The beautiful sunsets are a photographer's dream. Even amateurs can't resist capturing the magic just after the sun dips behind the mountains or below the horizon.

That “pink-purple glow” is the perfect backdrop for portraits, landscapes, and social media "bragging rights".

Why Should You Enjoy Arizona Sunsets?

It's easy to take something for granted, especially when we're given this incredible gift almost every day. But tonight, take a moment and pause as the sun starts to dip on the horizon.

As the sky lights up, take a moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate the beauty around us. Absorb that fleeting beauty, snap a photo, and post it to your socials. Each sunset is stunning and a unique, beautiful moment in time.