A Week Exploring Verde Valley Parks
Arizona’s Verde Valley State Parks
Start / End
Phoenix, Arizona
States Covered
AZ
State Parks
Fort Verde State Historic Park, Rockin River Ranch State Park, Jerome State Historic Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock State Park
Suggested Days
4 Days
Total Distance
306 mi (153 km)
Suggested Seasons
Spring, fall
#ThisIsMyRoute
Overview
In central Arizona, between the large cities of Phoenix and Flagstaff, the Verde Valley waits patiently for travelers on the hunt for an active vacation. Here, you can soak up breathtaking views of red rock escarpments, hike through three state parks, feed your intellect with chronicles from history, and birdwatch in one of the valley’s numerous state parks. Best of all, none of these parks are too far of a drive from one another, all the more reason to plan a road trip and experience them at your leisure.
Preparation
Phoenix and Flagstaff are both in close proximity to all of the parks in the Verde Valley. Because Phoenix has a much larger airport, however, most travelers will find it convenient to start and end their journeys there. Though hotels, resorts, and Airbnbs are available throughout the Verde Valley, you can easily stock up on camping supplies and meals in Phoenix if you plan to pitch a tent (we suggest doing so on your second night). Don’t forget your swimsuit either, as you will have opportunities to make a splash each day.
FORT VERDE STATE HISTORIC PARK
1 hour, 30 minutes (95 mi/153 km)
Stop by Window Coffee Bar on your way out of town for a quick cup of specialty coffee and a handful of local pastries and bagels to enjoy later today. Then continue your journey north; it won’t be long before you leave the city and will start ogling at the Verde Valley’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Your first stop: Fort Verde State Historic Park.
After enjoying the hustle and bustle of modern life in Phoenix, this park offers you the opportunity to slow down and immerse yourself in the operations of a 19th century military town. Learn about the complex, tense history of the Central Arizona Indian Wars, as well as what it was like to live among pioneers, by touring four buildings that still stand on the site. In addition to interpretive exhibits, you’ll get the chance to view artifacts like surgical equipment and weaponry. The park runs many programs, such as annual holiday events and living history presentations, that can make your visit even more memorable.
ROCKIN' RIVER RANCH STATE PARK
20 minutes (8 mi/13 km)
If you are visiting during the spring, you may find yourself eager to enjoy the sight of refreshing water by this point in the day. Luckily, only 20 minutes away lies the hidden gem of Rockin’ River Ranch State Park, a new addition to Arizona’s register of state parks that features several miles of hiking trails and a river that we can confirm is, indeed, “rockin’.” Note that this park is currently only open Friday through Sunday.
Fill up your water bottles and pack a picnic ahead of time, as the amenities in this park are spartan. In contrast to the multitude of historical exhibits you saw earlier at Fort Verde, Rockin’ River Ranch State Park is nature-oriented. It’s a prime spot for bird watching and a known habitat for bald eagles, great blue herons, and meadowlarks. As you listen to mallards quacking at Woods Ditch Pond and spot otters and beavers navigating the Verde River, you’ll have no choice but to live in the present moment.
The park doesn’t offer any camping, but you’ll find several hotels and campgrounds in the nearby town of Camp Verde. There are also a handful of Mexican restaurants here, such as La Casita and Beto’s Corner, that promise a satisfying dinner.
JEROME STATE HISTORIC PARK
50 mins (30 mi/48 km)
If you plan to leave town early this morning, swing by the Udder Cup for coffee, bagels, quiche, and pastries; Udderly Divine Cafe & Bakery opens a tad later and offers more breakfast and lunch items. Again, feel free to stock up on snacks for later! It’s less than an hour to your first destination, so enjoy watching the sky light up the Verde Valley around you as you drive to Jerome State Historic Park.
We’re all for a good ghost town, but this park offers something even better: The small, charming community of Jerome, which once yielded more copper than anywhere else in the Arizona Territory, is now a hotspot for music, wine, art, and tourism. Though the town’s mines were shuttered by the mid-20th century, you can still view photos and artifacts up close in the Douglas Mansion, as well as see the remains of the Little Daisy Hotel, which offered lodging for miners. The historic park features a museum in the preserved mansion and interpretive displays on the grounds surrounding it. Your visit won’t be complete until you stop by the Audrey Shaft Headframe Park next door for the chance to stand above a shaft 1,900 feet (579 meters) deep. Don’t worry: A layer of glass will keep you from falling as you peer into the depths of the Earth.
A fine selection of lunch spots exist in Jerome, including those specializing in barbecue, vegan, Italian, and Mexican cuisines. Have your fill; you’ll need the energy for your next stop!
DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK
25 minutes (11 mi/18 km)
From Dead Horse Ranch State Park, hike or bike along the Lime Kiln Trail, which stretches 15 miles (24 kilometers) to Red Rock State Park (though save exploring this park for tomorrow!). Keep an eye out for remnants of the kiln along the trail. Short, easy hiking options are also plentiful, such as the ADA accessible Canopy Trail that is only .25 miles (.4 kilometers) in length and popular for birdwatching. Watch for otters, quail, deer, and the unthreatening California kingsnake as you roam the park’s 400+ acres, and if you are visiting in the autumn, admire the park’s famous fall foliage.
After an active day, it’s time to start thinking about sleep. You can camp in a tent or an RV, or spend the night in one of the park’s eight riverside log cabins, which provide heating and cooling to make your stay more comfortable. Just make sure to properly dispose of your trash and stash your food, lest it become the meal of one of the park’s gray foxes!
RED ROCK STATE PARK
28 minutes (19 mi/31 km)
Enjoy an early breakfast at camp or stop by The Old Town Cafe in Cottonwood, then make your last morning of this road trip memorable by heading to Red Rock State Park. As you might expect, this park has no shortage of red rocks. But it is additionally resplendent with streams and greenery that you can savor while taking a hike along one of the park’s 5 miles (8 kilometers) of trails. Don’t miss hiking the Eagle’s Nest Trail, a 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) easy to moderate route that will afford you a stunning view of the surrounding escarpments. The Apache Fire Loop and Coyote Ridge Trail are likewise popular routes. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, lizards, rattlesnakes, and otters.
SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK
29 minutes (16 mi/26 km)
Grab lunch in Sedona at a local favorite like Wildflower or ChocolaTree Organic Eatery before driving to your final destination, Slide Rock State Park. Because this park is a hot spot (literally and figuratively), you may wish to hit it before Red Rock State Park if you are visiting during peak season, even though it will mean a bit of backtracking. However, with its expansive views of Oak Creek Canyon, it’s also known as one of the more jaw-dropping places in Arizona to watch a sunset. Not only can you don your swimsuit and slide down the famous Slide Rock swim area into Oak Creek, but you can also hike along the easy, .25 mile (.4 kilometers) Pendley Homestead trail. Along the way, you’ll marvel at an apple packing barn, old cabins, and the original orchards of a historic 20th century homestead.
Camping is not allowed in this park, so plan on staying the night in Sedona, where you can treat yourself to a luxury resort or bed and breakfast. From here, it’s an easy trip back to Phoenix, where your journey began, or you can explore the city of Flagstaff if you desire.