The Best Time of Day for a Hot Air Balloon Ride: Sunrise vs. Sunset

Mar 10, 2025

Whether you prefer the early morning or the desert sunset, timing your hot air balloon ride can enhance the magic of the experience. Here’s a guide to what you’ll see seasonally with Rainbow Ryders’ sunrise and sunset flights in each of our locations, helping you make the most of your adventure in every season.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flights: A Magical Start to Your Day

Our sunrise balloon flights are available year-round in all locations, offering an inspiring way to start the day as the landscapes come to life beneath you. Each season brings unique, stunning scenery:

Albuquerque, NM (Year-Round)

Every sunrise flight in Albuquerque is special, but each season brings its own beauty. In spring, you’ll float over fresh blooms in the Rio Grande Valley, while summer sunrises reveal expansive desert vistas stretching into the distance. Fall in Albuquerque is unforgettable, especially during the world-famous Balloon Fiesta, when skies fill with vibrant balloons against a backdrop of golden cottonwoods. Winter mornings bring crisp, clear air with views of the snow-capped Sandia Mountains.

Phoenix, AZ (Year-Round)

A hot air balloon ride over Phoenix’s Sonoran Desert is a sight to behold in any season. Spring reveals a burst of color and the saguaro bloom. Summer mornings present a desert in soft, early light, often causing the desert to turn a vibrant green after the summer monsoons. Fall brings cooler temperatures and a mix of green and golden hues, while winter offers crystal-clear views of the desert landscape, often with snowy peaks in the distance.

Colorado Springs, CO (June – September)

Summer sunrise balloon flights in Colorado Springs showcase the Rocky Mountains in their green glory. As you rise above, you’ll witness stunning mountain ranges, the iconic Pikes Peak, and a mix of deep green forests. Perfect for a memorable summer morning.

Park City, UT (June – September)

Park City hot air balloon rides in the summer mornings are all about the Wasatch Mountains and green valleys. The clear skies and warm light over the mountainous landscape create an enchanting scene, with wildflowers dotting the fields below, making for a serene, picturesque ride.

Why Choose Sunrise Balloon Flights?

Sunrise flights offer the calmest winds, optimal temperatures, and the quiet beauty of landscapes bathed in early morning light. It’s an ideal choice for capturing stunning photos and enjoying a fresh, peaceful start to your day.

Seasonal Sunset Hot Air Balloon Flights: A Stunning Way to End Your Day

For those visiting Albuquerque or Phoenix from November through January, our seasonal sunset balloon flights offer the opportunity to end the day in a remarkable way. Each evening ride showcases the shifting desert landscape, set aglow by the setting sun.

Albuquerque, NM (November – January)

Winter afternoons in Albuquerque are breathtaking, as the sun dips over the Rio Grande Valley, casting shades of orange, pink, and purple across the Sandia Mountains, named for their “watermelon” hues at sunset. Winter’s cool, calm air makes for smooth flying and unmatched visibility, allowing you to see far into the distance as the sky transforms into a palette of colors.

Phoenix, AZ (November – January)

Phoenix’s desert landscape transitions from warm gold to deep magenta. In winter, the clear air and mild temperatures make for a comfortable flight, with the sunset painting the Sonoran Desert in rich hues offering the perfect backdrop as you toast to an unforgettable flight.

Why Choose Sunset Balloon Flights?

A sunset flight is perfect for those who love the beauty of a desert evening, as well as a later start. The colors of the sunset sky are unforgettable with the added beauty of winter’s cool air and calm winds, it’s a seasonal highlight you won’t want to miss.

Which Experience is Right for You?

• For Early Risers: Sunrise flights offer the calmest conditions and the freshest morning views, with landscapes gradually coming alive in the soft morning light.
• For Evening Lovers: Sunset flights, available November through January in Albuquerque and Phoenix, let you enjoy a peaceful close to the day, with the unforgettable desert skies as we toast to the sunset.

No matter which time you choose, Rainbow Ryders promises a unique hot air balloon experience. Our year-round sunrise flights in Albuquerque and Phoenix and seasonal flights in Colorado Springs and Park City mean that you can take to the skies in any season, with stunning views awaiting in every location.

Ready to Make It Happen? Book your sunrise or seasonal sunset adventure today and experience the beauty of the desert, mountains, and open skies from above with Rainbow Ryders!

 

Fun Facts About Hot Air Ballooning with Rainbow Ryders

1. We Take Off After Sunrise: Our sunrise flights begin shortly after the sun peeks over the horizon, allowing you to enjoy the stunning morning light while soaring through the skies. This is the ideal way to start your day!
2. We Land Before Sunset: For our sunset flights, we always land before the sun fully sets. This timing not only ensures a safe and smooth experience but also allows you to enjoy the most vibrant part of the sunset from the air. 
3. Every Flight Is Different: No two balloon rides are ever the same! Since we rely on the wind for direction, each flight offers a fresh adventure with new views and a different route, making every experience special.
4. Weather-Dependent Adventures: While we fly year-round, we always keep an eye on weather conditions. We only take off when the weather is perfect with light winds, and calm temperatures, it guarantees the best experience for our passengers.
5. Hot Air Balloons Are Wind-Dependent: Unlike planes, hot air balloons don’t fly directly into the wind. Instead, we rely on wind patterns to navigate, which means each flight can offer a slightly different path, making every ride a different from the last! 
6. Our Balloons Can Reach 10,000 Feet: Some of our balloons can ascend as high as 10,000 feet, offering incredible panoramic views of the desert, mountains, and valleys. The higher you go, the more breathtaking the landscape becomes! However, flying at lower levels also offers its own set of advantages like closer views of wildlife and a more intimate connection with the environment. Our pilots use contour flying, which means flying just above the treetops or along hillsides to follow the natural contours of the land. Whether you’re soaring high or drifting lower, each flight offers a unique and beautiful experience.
7. Family-Friendly Adventures: Our hot air balloon rides are a fun, family-friendly activity, with children as young as 5 able to join the adventure (with a parent present).

These fun facts make hot air ballooning with Rainbow Ryders even more exciting! From the perfect flight conditions to our unforgettable ballooning experiences, we ensure each ride is one-of-a-kind.