Sedona & Oak Creek Travel Guide

The Sedona-Oak Creek Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to tour the famed red rock country of northern Arizona. This guide includes coverage of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Prescott, and the Verde Valley including the historic town of Jerome. The area features diverse outdoor recreation, spectacular sightseeing, shopping and culture, Indian ruins, historic sites, even wine tasting.

(Right: Jerome, Arizona, on Cleopatra Hill)

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any purple KEY item or place name on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the box for a link to detailed information. For easiest use, scroll map to top. Detailed Sedona, Oak Creek, & Verde Valley Map in separate window. (Index at bottom of this page.)

Verde Valley & Jerome, Arizona - Visitor Services

The Verde Valley follows the Verde River, one of Arizona's major rivers, between the mountainous regions of Sedona and Oak Creek to the east, in the Coconino National Forest, and the mountains of Jerome and Prescott to the west, in the Prescott National Forest. The major towns in the valley are Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and Clarkdale. Jerome which overlooks the valley is only a few miles from Clarkdale and is included in this section of the guide.

The fertile valley has encouraged human habitation for millenia. Remnants of the ancient pueblos and cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people can be found at several sites in the valley, including the famous Montezuma Castle. More recent 19th century history can be found at Fort Verde and Jerome State Historic Parks. The historic mountaintop mining town of Jerome also offers a fascinating historical perspective.

Verde Valley also has a fledging wine industry, generally centered in the vicinity of the town of Cornville. Several are open daily for tasting. These very small vineyards offer the visitor a pleasant and intimate experience.

There are several other notable experiences available in Verde Valley, including Dead Horse Ranch State Park, the excellent Verde Canyon Scenic Railroad, the Blazing M Ranch, and Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

Verde Valley Visitor Services  |   Verde Valley Attractions  |   Indian Ruins/Cultural Sites

Visitor Centers

 South Gateway Visitor Center. In the Village of Oak Creek south of Sedona on AZ-179. (928-284-5324)

 Sedona Oak Creek Chamber of Commerce. In uptown Sedona near junction of AZ-179 and AZ-89a. Address is 331 Forest Rd., Sedona, AZ 86336.

 Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce. Located at 1010 South Main Street, Junction 89A & 260, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326. Phone: (928) 634-7593.

Verde Valley Campgrounds, east of I-17

 Beaver Creek. Open all year. Tent and RVs under 22'. Wooded sites adjacent to Wet Beaver Creek, 47 miles south of Flagstaff. Take exit 298 from I-17, turn east, then 3 miles south on FR618. Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Wildlife viewing. Nearby trail access to Beaver Creek Wilderness. 13 sites, first come, first served.

 Clear Creek. Open all year. Tent and RVs under 32'. Grassy sites shaded by cottonwoods, adjacent to Clear Creek, 56 miles south of Flagstaff. Take AZ-260 east from I-17 at Camp Verde, turn north on FR626 after 5 miles. Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Wildlife viewing. 18 sites, first come, first served.

Verde Valley Campgrounds, west of I-17

 Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Open all year. Tent and RVs under 22'. State Park campground has RV hookups and showers. 110 sites. Trails for hiking, biking, equestrian. Features Verde River Greenway Natural Area. Located just outside of Cottonwood, off of AZ-260.

 Rio Verde RV Park. Located along Verde River, one mile north of Cottonwood on AZ-89a.

 Mingus Mountain Recreation Area. May to October. Wooded sites near peak of Mingus Mountain offers cooler summer temperatures at 7,500 feet elevation. One loop has electrical hookups, can accomodate 40' RVs. No drinking water (sytem under construction). Scenic panorama views of Verde Valley, access to trail system. Off of AZ-89a, 19 miles west of AZ-89, then south on FR104. 25 sites, first come, first served. Close to Jerome.

 Potato Patch. May to October. Wooded sites near peak of Mingus Mountain offers cooler summer temperatures at 7,000 feet elevation. One loop has electrical hookups, can accomodate 40' RVs. Off of AZ-89a, 6 miles west of Jerome, then north on FR104. 28 sites, first come, first served.

Verde Valley (includes Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Cornville, Page Springs)

Cottonwood Lodging

• Best Western Cottonwood Inn
  993 S Main Street US Cottonwood, Arizona, 86326-4608
  A short distance to the Red Rocks of Sedona, Best Western Cottonwood Inn is in the heart of the Verde Valley and conveniently located near many attractions.
  78 Guest Rooms on one-two floors (no elevator).
  Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
  Heated Outdoor Pool and Hot Tub, Exercise Room, Complimentary continental breakfast features Homemade Belgium Waffles.
  
    Reserve Rooms for Best Western Cottonwood Inn
  
  
• More Hotels in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Food in Cottonwood

• Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce. Restaurants.

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Camp Verde Lodging

• Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce. Lodging.

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Jerome Lodging

• Jerome Chamber of Commerce. Lodging (offers good detail).

Food in Jerome

• Jerome Chamber of Commerce. Dining.

Guided Activities

 See listings under Sedona.

Verde Valley Visitor Services  |   Verde Valley Attractions  |   Indian Ruins/Cultural Sites

Sedona & Oak Creek Travel Guide Index

• Introduction & Index to Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Verde Valley, Prescott
• Sedona, Arizona
  • Visitor Services
  • Outdoor Attractions
  • Cultural Attractions/Shopping
  • Guided Recreational Activities
• Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona
• Verde Valley & Jerome, Arizona
  • Visitor Services
  • Attractions
  • Indian Ruins / Cultural Sites
• Prescott, Arizona
• Camping in Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Verde Valley, & Prescott
• Lodging & Travel Services in Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Verde Valley, & Prescott
• Northern Arizona Travel Guide
• Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide
• Las Vegas Travel Guide

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