Verde Valley - Cottonwood, AZ

From the Papago Indian word "Arizonac," Arizona means "place of the small spring." The Grand Canyon rises from one such "small spring." Nestled along another, the Verde River, is the Thousand Trails Verde Valley preserve.

Situated about 45 miles southwest of Flagstaff, Verde Valley rests below the Black Hills to the west and the Red Rocks of Sedona to the north. Other nearby mountains and striated rock outcroppings create stunning vistas all around. Average daily forecasts call for warm days, cool evenings, and lots of sunshine.

Verde Valley is an ideal stop on a cross-country trek. Once you arrive, you can forget your worries, because the park staff will make you feel right at home. There’s plenty to do and see at this 300-acre resort that features 314 campsites, some of which are along the river.

Lace up your boots for the preserve’s nature trail, and get some exercise while learning about native vegetation and wildlife. On foot you can really appreciate the assortment of native trees, shrubs, and cactus while enjoying scenic views of the preserve, the Verde River, and the surrounding mountains. You might even see typical desert critters, including lizards, spiders, snakes, scorpions, and centipede, as well as raccoon, beaver, and bullfrogs attracted by the river.

Kick back inside with a game of billiards, a favorite show via satellite TV, or a ping-pong match at the Pool Lodge. You could also meet up with friends and family for scheduled entertainment and other fun happenings at the Family Center. One event drawing crowds are mealtimes, like scrumptious pancake or French toast breakfasts on the weekends. Kids enjoy the numerous sport courts, playground equipment, and recreation opportunities that cater to their interests.

Away from the park, excursions abound in an area so rich in geological and cultural history. Widely known as a ghost town, the art colony in Jerome – formerly a copper mining village – is impossibly perched atop Cleopatra Hill. An eclectic mix of restaurants and unique shops line the zig-zagging main road through town, and there's a mining museum and state park for a more educational experience. Primarily, Jerome is a great place to stop and grab a bite to eat, with a magnificent view to boot.

You'll want to take in as much of Red Rock County as possible, and Sedona makes it easy with hot air balloon rides, jeep tours, airplane and helicopter tours. Or, simply drive the scenic loop next to Red Rock State Park to enjoy the gorgeous, crimson-smeared giants. Mountain views from Highway 179 are also ablaze with a myriad of colors – most notably the stately Chapel of the Holy Cross and famous monoliths like Bell Rock.

Climb aboard the Wilderness Train in Clarkdale, a four-hour, narrated trip that takes you along the Verde River from Clarkdale to the Yellow Depot in Perkinsville (where part of "How the West Was Won" was filmed) and back – about 40 miles total. In either first-class or coach-class seating, you'll glimpse the pristine wilderness of the Verde Canyon as can only be seen from a train. When the train is in motion, you can move to an open-air gondola and snap some great desert photos. This is a trip you will want to remember!