About the Verde Valley

The Verde Valley:

The Verde Valley stretches from Mingus Mountain– just east of Prescott Valley––to the Mogollon Rim, south of Flagstaff. The Valley lies 100 miles north of Phoenix shopping, performing arts, sports centers and universities (including Arizona State University) and 45 miles south of Flagstaff skiing, shopping and Northern Arizona University.

The 1,200 square miles of the Verde Valley encompasses the cities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Camp Verde, Sedona, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Cornville, Lake Montezuma/Rimrock, the Verde Villages, and unincorporated communities.

Although the temperatures may occasionally drop below freezing and snow may fall in the winter months, summers are sunny and warm, but the heat is abated by cool shade from the Verde’s lush trees and cool waters of the Verde River, which gives the region its name.

Elevations range from approximately 3,000 feet above sea level in historic Camp Verde, to more than 5,000 in the former mining town of Jerome. This diversity of elevations is reflected by a wide variety of terrain. Although geographically described as "high desert", the area encompasses: mountains, agricultural land, wild flowers, forests of cedars and junipers, creeks and rivers!

The Lifestyle:

The Verde Valley lifestyle is casual and family oriented. The region is dedicated to maintaining its rural identity. Each community maintains its unique and individual identity, ranging from progressive to an image of the Wild West. The Valley provides great recreational opportunities - hiking, biking, camping, hang-gliding, and kayaking.

Population:

The Cottonwood / Sedona area, long recognized as an outstanding tourist destination, has attracted tourists, industry, business, and new residents. The area has experienced rapid population growth, as visitors discover the outstanding amenities of the Valley. Cottonwood currently has a population of 20,000. The Verde Valley's population is approximately 55,000.

The Verde Valley has experienced significant population growth in recent years - 51% between 1990 and 2000. The table below shows the areas population increases during this period.

The Communities:

Camp Verde lies near the geographic center of Arizona. It is in the Verde River valley of central Arizona, 85 miles north of Phoenix, at an elevation of approximately 3100 feet. Camp Verde is the oldest community in the valley, established in 1865.

Clarkdale is at the upper end of the Verde Valley in Yavapai County and is approximately 110 miles north of Phoenix and south of the Grand Canyon at an elevation of 3,542 feet. Topography of the area is characterized by numerous mesas and buttes along the rise from the Verde River on the east, at 3,300 feet, to the Mingus Mountains on the west, at 7,000 feet. Clarkdale, incorporated in 1957, was laid out in 1914 near the site of the Clarkdale Smelter, which was financed by Senator William A. Clark of Montana.

Cottonwood began as a small adobe where soldiers took refuge in 1874. Soon, settlers began moving in, and created a place whose namesake is a circle of 16 cottonwood trees near the Verde River. The community was established in 1879 and incorporated in 1960. In Yavapai County, Cottonwood is near the geographic center of Arizona at an elevation of 3,300 feet. The city is approximately 100 miles north of Phoenix.

Jerome is perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill, historic copper mining town. During its heyday, Jerome was the third-largest city in Arizona. That distinction faded, but the town's allure did not. Today, the town is reinvented by artists as an enclave of shops and galleries. Mining remnants and memories can still be found at Jerome State Historic Park, which is housed in the Douglas Mansion.

Cornville: is one of the best secrets of Verde Valley. Along the banks of Oak Creek, it is home to many of the Verde's residents. They are fiercely independent, working to maintain and enhance rural lifestyles, natural resources, economic values, health and safety within their unincorporated community.

Sedona, and the immediate environs, is a special and unique place. Located in the high southwestern desert under the rim of the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 4,500 feet, it is blessed with four mild seasons, plenty of sunshine and clean air. With the awe-inspiring red rock formations plus the splendor and diversity of Oak Creek Canyon, it is considered a locality equal or superior to many national parks. The City of Sedona was incorporated in 1988 and is one of Arizona’s premier tourism, recreation, resort, retirement, and art centers, all of which contribute to its economic base. Its history is that of a rural ranching community, far off the beaten track.

The unincorporated communitys of Lake Montezuma and Rimrock enjoy the pristine mountain air of the Verde Valley. Sycamore and Cottonwood trees line the green belts, riparian areas, and a lake that hosts migrating birds. The region is sometimes known as Beaver Creek because the stream has played a large role in the history of the area. Centrally located, the villages are located just off I-17 at McGuireville. Lake Montezuma began as a planned area development in the mid-1960's around the Beaver Creek Golf course. The county helped residents create Sycamore Park. with a play ground, walking trails, picnic areas and access to the creek for swimming and fishing.

The Yavapai-Apache Nation is a sovereign Native American tribe from the Verde Valley, Arizona. Tribal members have two culturally distinct backgrounds and speak two indigenous languages.

The Yavapai originate from Yuman-speaking peoples known as the Pai. The Apache descend from an Athapaskan background similar to other Apache groups to the East. Yavapai and Apache history in the Verde Valley spans several hundred years, as two distinct indigenous groups that co-existed in surrounding areas, and as one Indian tribal nation since 1934.

The Yavapai-Apache Tribal Administration Complex, Tribal Court, Council Chambers, and Cliff Castle Casino are located on the reservation in Camp Verde, about 90 miles north of Phoenix and 50 miles south of Flagstaff, along Interstate 17. The reservation today spans 665 acres in the four communities of Camp Verde, Middle Verde, Clarkdale, and Rimrock.