Top Things to do in Verde Valley
Top Hotels in Verde Valley
- 1. Sedona Real Inn and Suites
- 2. A Sunset Chateau
- 3. Sky Rock Sedona
- 4. Arabella Hotel Sedona
- 5. Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
- 6. The Inn Above Oak Creek
- 7. Desert Quail Inn Sedona at Bell Rock
- 8. GreenTree Inn Sedona
- 9. Amara Resort And Spa
- 10. Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
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Things to do in Verde Valley, Verde Valley: The Best State Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Verde Valley, United States including Douglas Mansion, Slide Rock State Park, Red Rock State Park, Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Jerome State Historic Park.
Restaurants in Verde Valley
1. Douglas Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
This former home of a mining baron became a state park and a museum in 1965.
Reviewed By AZJoeW - Sun City, United States
The Douglas Mansion is the main feature of the Jerome State Historic Park. This is well worth the stop. It is a self-guided tour of the mansion and there is a 30-minute film about the history of Jerome, AZ. The views are also spectacular looking north towards Sedona. Unlike the rest of Jerome, parking here is easy.
2. Slide Rock State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,337 reviews
Slide Rock State Park, originally the Pendley Homestead, is a 43-acre historic apple farm located in Oak Creek Canyon. Frank L. Pendley, having arrived in the canyon in 1907, formally acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910. Due to his pioneering innovation, he succeeded where others failed by establishing a unique irrigation system still in use by the park today. This allowed Pendley to plant his first apple orchard in 1912, beginning the pattern of agricultural development that has dominated the site since that time. Pendley also grew garden produce and kept some livestock. As one of the few homesteads left intact in the canyon today, Slide Rock State Park is a fine example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. The site was also instrumental to the development of the tourism industry in Oak Creek Canyon. The completion of the canyon road in 1914 and the paving of the roadway in 1938 were strong influences in encouraging recreational use of the canyon. Hence, Pendley followed suit and in 1933, built rustic cabins to cater to vacationers and sightseers. Todays visitors can still enjoy the fruits of Pendley's labor. Historic cabins are available for viewing, and the creek offers the park's namesake slide for adventures seekers and those looking for a place to cool off.
Reviewed By SinAguayo - San Bernardino, United States
$20 for parking and that is the only fee you are going to have to pay. About 15 minutes from Sedona, the scenic view to slide rock it's a treat of it's own. Pay attention though because it is a one way highway with plenty of hikers. Depending on what time you get there, you may have to wait due to the parking lot being full. We had to wait approximately 45 minutes. And there is no phone service. So... get to talking with your family or friends. The park has a small shop with all the necessities, for example: you can buy water shoes ($15), snacks, food, umbrellas, souvenirs, shirts, ice cream, and much more. They have lockers which you can rent in order to safeguard items you don't want to take with you. All we took was two backpacks with snacks and towels. The actual walk to the creek is about 15 minutes. Enjoy the walk because it has great view. The massive red rock in the distance is breathtaking. You will go down some steps that will lead you to the creek. Once at the bottom you can pick a spot to settle. BE AWARE. The rocks in the water are very very slippery. The water is cold..but once you acclimate, you will be fine. Peaceful, and enjoyable. Not very packed. Plenty of room of everyone. I highly recommend it. Follow me and my adventures fb: Sin Aguayo ig:@SinAguayo
3. Red Rock State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,542 reviews
Red Rock State Park is a 286 acre nature preserve and environmental education center with stunning scenery. Trails throughout the park wind through manzanita and juniper to reach the rich banks of Oak Creek. Green meadows are framed by native vegetation and hills of red rock. The creek meanders through the park, creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife. This riparian habitat provides the setting and the opportunity for the park to offer a focus on environmental education. Red Rock offers a variety of special programs for school groups and private groups. There are a number of daily and weekly park events. The park offers a visitors center, classroom, theater, park store, ramada and hiking trails.
Reviewed By BLtrvl - Glenview, United States
Picked a perfect fall day for a hike through the park, starting at the visitor center, which was very detailed, and came equipped with a board listing recent wildlife sightings. A couple of trail segments were closed but we still got to see a lot of the park.
4. Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Crescent Moon sits beneath the towering Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed scenes in the Southwest. This day use area group shelter (also known as Ramada) is as popular as it is beautiful. Visitors will marvel at the reflection of the red cliffs in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing.
Reviewed By Begonia3
The paths around the site are level and paved - so easy walking. The are seats along the path. The paths are on an upper bluff. To get to the creek, you need to be able to walk on uneven, dirt trails and be able to climb up and down over rocks. If you can do it, the view is worth it. The view of Cathedral Rock across Oak Creek spectacular. We have been here in all seasons and everytime it is beautiful. This area gets busy during the summer and on weekends. It is on a historic ranch site. There some buildings and water wheel to see. There is an entrance fee and parking is available. Definitely a place to see.
5. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
A scenic park that belies its ominous name and is best known for bird watching, camping, canoeing, hiking and horseback riding. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located adjacent to and across the Verde River from the community of Cottonwood. It is centrally located near several major population centers such as Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Prescott. When using Dead Horse Ranch as a base, one has a variety of attractions to visit, including: Jerome State Historic Park, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock State Park, Tuzigoot National Monument, Montezuma Castle and Well National Monuments, Oak Creek Canyon, Prescott National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and the popular towns of Sedona and Jerome.
Reviewed By 138elisey - Sedona, United States
This is THE largest, most well tended, most verdant and useable community public park in Arizona. The Verde River is visually accessible from several spots in the park, in addition to the "duck lagoons" that are home to thousands of migrating water fowl. There are several well maintained trails around the lagoon and locals are found fishing there just about year round.The "Frisbee golf" course is in a beautiful wooded area giving it quiet the challenge for the sports enthusiast as well as for state wide tournaments. the "temporary RV and camping sites" are in high demand because of the consistently clean individual sites, the reasonable rates and quiet. A well trained personable staff makes using the part a pleasure. The "per day" and annual pass are more than worth the money.
6. Fort Verde State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 409 reviews
Winner of the 2015 Arizona Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award. Fort Verde is one of the best preserved examples of an Indian Wars period fort in Arizona. This original Military Headquarters is now a museum which contains artifacts, photos, videos, and interpretive exhibits focused on the history and lives of those who lived and served at Fort Verde: soldiers, Indian Scouts, settlers, doctors, and Native Americans. Three of the original homes along Officer's Row are still remaining and furnished with period artifacts.
Reviewed By Mysticman78 - Sedona, United States
If you love history and the Verde Valley, don’t miss this on your stops of must-sees in the Sedona / Verde Valley region. This place is packed with charm, the historical displays are engaging and well done, full of artifacts, and everything you want to know about what life was like for the officers and soldiers during the Indian Wars with local tribes. Also gives a strong Native American perspective and history. The grounds are immaculate and each of the officers and bachelors quarters (houses) were charming and well worth it, and I’ve seen it all growing up in Virginia and going to so many historical sites like Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg. I am a Sedona tour guide and I feel lucky I can see this kind of preserved history with my own eyes, and will heartily recommend it to my guests. Ranger Sheila is a wonderful story teller and made our visit that much more enjoyable. The historical costume photo shoot was awesome as well. Many Thanks, will be back!
7. Jerome State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 574 reviews
The Douglas Mansion has been an eye-catching landmark in Jerome since 1916, when James S. Douglas built it on the hill just above his Little Daisy Mine. This former home is now a museum devoted to the history of the Jerome area and the Douglas family. The museum features photographs, artifacts and minerals in addition to a video presentation and a 3-D model of the town with its underground mines. There are more displays outside along with a picnic area offering a beautiful panoramic view of the Verde Valley.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
My wife and I love to visit ghost towns, the remains of old mining camps in California, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. One of our favorite stops is Jerome, Arizona, a 45-minute drive from Sedona, across the Verde Valley. Established in 1965, the Jerome State Historic Park has survived budget cuts that closed the park from February 27, 2009, to October 14, 2010. Today, it is open seven days a week thanks to additional funding by Yavapai County, the city of Jerome, the Jerome Historical Society and the Douglas family, which built the Douglas Mansion in 1916 that remains the major attraction in the park. The mansion was built by Jimmy Douglas, the head of a family of mining entrepreneurs, on a hill above his Little Daisy Mine. It features a museum with photographs of the family, the town of Jerome during its mining years, mining artifacts, minerals, antique mining equipment, a video detailing the history of the town and a 3-D reproduction of the town showing the mine shafts underneath the town. The mansion also features a wine cellar, billiard room, marble shower, steam heat and a central vacuum system which was much ahead of its time. Constructed of adobe bricks made on the site, the Douglas Mansion is the largest adobe structure in Arizona. Outside, a picnic area offers a panoramic view of the Verde Valley and Verde River and the Red Rocks of the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon region. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
