Cottonwood is in the heart of the Verde Valley, not far from the magical, red-rock oasis of Sedona. Many people refer to the city as "The Heart of Arizona Wine Country" because of the numerous wineries and vineyards located within the surrounding areas. Visitors come to the city, which has a population of 12,000 people, to sample the area's wine offerings and eat at restaurants like Crema Craft Kitchen and Bar, where they can enjoy locally grown food.
Aside from the wineries and local food offerings, people visit Cottonwood for its mild winter climate. Although there's occasional snow, most days temperatures remain in the mid-50s. If you visit during the summer, expect much hotter temperatures, with temperatures soaring into the mid-90s. Stay cool when temperatures rise by taking a kayak tour on the Verde River or stopping into gift shops in the historic old town of Cottonwood.
If you are into Wild West lore and culture, check out the popular Blazin’ M Ranch. The "ranch" offers a chuckwagon dinner and a western stage show. You can also take part in a historic tour of Jerome, a town with a rich mining history that is a popular tourist destination near Cottonwood. While you're in Jerome, you might also want to check out the Cemetery Ghost Adventure. This one-hour guided historical walking tour tells the stories of the Wild West, specifically its ghost stories. Visitors who want to experience nearby Sedona at night, can consider booking a sunset and stargazing picnic with a local company.
Campgrounds Near Cottonwood, Arizona
Rio Verde Campground, a medium-sized RV park about 15 minutes from Sedona, offers full hookups for RVers. The campground's location near Sedona is ideal for people who want to visit this popular area but don't want to deal with the crowds found at some RV campgrounds. Another perk of staying at the Rio Verde Campground is its ATV rentals, making it possible to explore the ATV trails in the area even if you don't own an all-terrain vehicle.
Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort is another RV park located near Cottonwood. Visitors enjoy staying at this RV park for its views — every spot has a mountain view. This kid-friendly RV campground is larger than most, and with 366 RV spaces, it has plenty of spaces for its guests to choose from. The RV park has back-in and pull-through spots and offers full hookups, a pool and hot tub, laundry facilities, a camp store, and a playground. If you work on the road, consider using an internet connectivity product like Starlink because cell reception and WiFi are spotty in this park.
Are you planning on spending several weeks in the Cottonwood area? Consider Camelot RV Park, a small RV park that caters to long-stay RVers. Many of the park's RVers consider Camelot their full-time home. Even if you only plan to stay a couple of days, the park's residents are friendly and welcoming to short-timers. The park has full hookups, back-in and pull-through sites, and 30/50 amp electrical service.
State Parks Near Cottonwood, Arizona
Despite its name, Dead Horse Ranch State Park is an excellent place to visit to see the area's wildlife and take in stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The state park is situated along the Verde River and for many years was a working ranch. These days the park is all about recreation. Every year, thousands of visitors come to the state park to hike, fish, camp, kayak, and bird watch in a rather mild climate. The park has two fishing lagoons and numerous trails that run through swamps, forested areas, and washes.
Are you a history buff? Then you must check out the Jerome State Historic Park, located 20 minutes from Cottonwood, Arizona. Within the park's boundaries, you'll find the Douglas Mansion. This mansion is the former home of one of the Little Daisy Mine's owners. Today, it's a museum that gives visitors a history lesson about the area and an idea of what life was like for miners in the rugged terrain.
If you want to stick closer to Cottonwood, check out the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, which is only 10 minutes from Cottonwood. The state's natural area is one of Arizona's largest and boasts surprisingly mild year-round temperatures. The natural area consists of 500 square acres of natural space that's perfect for many outdoor recreation activities like bird-watching, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, and hiking. Enjoy your time kayaking the crystal-clear waters of the Verde River or swimming during the summer.
National Sites Near Cottonwood, Arizona
The Tuzigoot National Monument contains 1400-year-old stone structures constructed by the Sinagua people who once lived in the Verde Valley. Visitors to Tuzigoot can explore the 100-room pueblo and learn more about how the water-rich environment allowed this ancient agricultural community to flourish. When visiting the monument's museum, you'll also discover how the Tuzigoots played an integral role in travel and trade in the Southwest region. The monument is open year-round and is a wonderful desert excursion. If you want to explore more, consider hiking along the 0.6-mile Pueblo Trail or spend some time at the Tavasci Marsh Overlook Trail.
The Montezuma Castle National Monument achieved national monument status in 1906 as one of the first four national historic sites that President Roosevelt designated. The five-story dwelling is centuries old and once home to ancient cave-dwelling peoples. The entire structure consists of 20 rooms and rises 70 feet above ground. The ancient settlers built their dwellings high off the ground to protect their homes and belongings from flooding. Visitors to the national monument aren't allowed in the dwellings, but there is a paved trail with signage that provides you with plenty of information about the site. There's also a visitor's center where you'll find more information.
Walnut Canyon National Monument pays homage to settlers in the area dating back nearly 700 years ago. At this national monument, you'll see curved canyon walls, pueblos, and other rebuilt structures that give you an idea of what life was like for early settlers. As you explore the area, you'll discover geological formations and stunning canyon views. Take advantage of the many observation points in the park to get a complete picture of what the landscape looked like 700 years ago, much of which hasn't changed. Plan your visit accordingly, and keep in mind that the area where the historic site is located experiences afternoon monsoon thunderstorms in the summer.
National Forests Near Cottonwood, Arizona
Prescott National Forest covers over 1.25 million acres, extending from Granite Mountain to Black Canyon City. It merged with the Verde National Forest in 1908 and received its current name. The national forest has elevations that range from 3,000 to 8,000 feet, includes deserts and mountains, and is home to some of the most stunning views in the southwest region of the United States. Hikers enjoy many trails that run through the forest, including the 10.1-mile Baby Granite Loop and the 5.7-mile Balancing Rock Trail, the latter a favorite trail for mountain bikers and horseback riders.
The largest national forest in Arizona is the Tonto National Forest. It covers more than 2.8 million acres and is the seventh-largest national forest in the United States. Tonto National Forest is located northeast of Phoenix about three hours south of Cottonwood. The Salt River runs through the forest, as do parts of the Scenic and Verde Wild rivers. This national forest is home to quite a few high-mileage trails that are perfect for a backpacking trip. These trails include the 80-mile Black Canyon Trail and the 234-mile Fools Loop Trail, which begins and ends in downtown Phoenix.
A mere 25 miles from the Utah border is The Kaibab National Forest. If you want to immerse yourself in Arizona's diverse ecosystems and landscapes, you won't want to miss visiting this national forest. The forest consists of mountain lakes, high-elevation meadows, and even includes stunning views of the Grand Canyon. In fact, many visitors prefer to see the Grand Canyon from the forest because there are fewer, if any, crowds. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the magnificent natural wonder in peace and quiet.
