Verde Canyon Railroad
Verde Canyon Railroad Website or 800-320-0718
Rumble through the heart of Arizona aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad.
“Arizona’s longest running nature show” twists through a wilderness area that shelters bald eagles, deer, Javelina and countless other animals. Vintage cars provide first-class comfort while the panoramic window views transport your imagination to somewhere wild and untamed. Every season presents a new reason to ride. It’s not the destination; it’s the journey.
Clarkdale
www.clarkdale.az.us or www.clarkdalechamber.com
Home to the Verde Canyon Railroad, Clarkdale was laid out in 1914 near the site of the existing smelter, which was built in 1910. It processed ore from nearby Jerome until 1952. Clarkdale was a company town, built with modern amenities. The mining and smelter sites, along with the Clarkdale clubhouse, are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Clarkdale also hosts a number of community events including an art festival and Independence Day celebration.
Tuzigoot National Monument
http://www.nps.gov/tuzi
Eight hundred years ago, this Sinagua pueblo was home to the Indian population which once inhabited this area. The site is comprised of 42 acres, including hiking trails (one wheelchair accessible). Visitors are escorted through the various rooms of the pueblo to view this ancient civilization. Images, etched in stone, help tell the tale of their daily life.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
www.azstateparks.com/Parks/DEHO/index.html
Over 100 species of birds have been identified in the immediate confines of the park. It also has excellent camping and RV facilities, as well as a lagoon, which is stocked with rainbow trout from November through March.
Jerome
Sometimes nicknamed The City in the Sky,†Jerome was at one time the most talked about mining camp in America and is listed on the National Historic Register. Its population went from 15,000 in its heyday to a ghost towne of under 50 people. The Gold King Mine displays early machinery of the mining era in Jerome.
Camp Verde
About 20 minutes from the Verde Canyon Railroad, Camp Verde offers a blend of ancient cultures, a military influence and a ranching heritage. It is a small town that began with farms and cattle ranches.
Fort Verde State Park http://www.azparks.gov/Parks/FOVE/index.html
General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers were primarily based out of this fort. They were charged with squelching Apache and Yavapai Indian uprisings in the late 1800s. Some of the original buildings still remain. Its officers’ quarters are open to visitors and a museum is located in the old headquarters building.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
This ancient cliff dwelling dates back to 1150 A.D. The Castle stands in a cliff recess one hundred feet above the valley. Montezuma Well, also part of the monument, is a natural limestone sinkhole, and was an important source of water for the Sinagua Indians. The Castle stands as one of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings in North America.
Sedona
Red Rock Country is a four-seasons playground for everyone – history, geology, archaeology, art and sports buffs, and especially for curious, outdoor enthusiasts who love spectacular scenery.
Out of Africa
Out of Africa Wildlife Park strives to educate and entertain; to provide an exciting and engaging opportunity to love and respect creation and Creator. It is a place where family and friends gather to experience oneness with animals and each other during safaris, tours, walks, observations, and shows of wild-by-nature animals in their own natural splendor.
Other links and Arizona attractions
Immerse yourself in the many Native American cultures through film, dance, music, workshops and art.
Venues throughout the Verde Valley.
Dolly Steamboat
Train Traveling
Bed and Breakfasts of Sedona
Verde Valley Newspaper
Arizona Office of Tourism
Verde Valley Wine Trail
