Category: Camping

A Packing Guide for Fall at Safari Village

As September rolls around, we enter into a new season at our Waypoint Outposts. Even though Arizona doesn’t often get the memo that it’s Autumn, we do see the temperatures descend into quite the enjoyable days and nights around Camp Verde, Arizona. 

If you were to average out typical temperatures for our fall months, you might hit low 90s for a high during September, with average lows in the high 60s. October brings highs in the 80s and lows in the 40s. Then, as November approaches, we’re looking at highs in the 70s and lows in the 30s. 

With our fire pits and heaters provided, the Fall becomes an enticing season to book your stay. It’s a beautiful blend of pleasant days and crisp, fresh nights. In the spirit of glamping, we want to provide you with our favorite gear to pack along during your Fall booking. 

Apparel

We always recommend layers. This is especially true in our Autumn season. Light jackets, pullover hoodies, and the cozier the better for curling up around our fire pits. 

Throw in a few hats if your ears are prone to get cold at night. That way, you can still enjoy all the hammocking and yard games when the sun goes down. 

Sandals and tennis shoes will allow you ease during your quick walk to the restroom as well as sturdy shoes for your hikes and adventures. 

Overall, know that your days are likely to still allow for shorts and a tee shirt. But evenings may bring a bit of a chill that will warrant a jacket. 

Food

With cooler evenings comes the need for a hot cup of coffee in your hand. We recommend bringing hot cocoa with some fun Fall flavors to spice it up－pumpkin spice, cinnamon, etc. And if you want to get fancy, don’t forget your can of whipped cream to complete the cup. 

Some of our favorite memories come with a hot cup of cocoa in hand, friends laughing and enjoying each other’s company around the fire, and a crisp chill in the air to keep you bundled up and looking at the clear sky of stars above.

Extras

Here are some items you might not think of that could be enjoyable during the Fall season:

• Blanket
• Tumbler/thermos
• Rain jacket (just in case)
• Extra spices for hot drinks like cinnamon and nutmeg
• Pumpkin spice Oreos for fancy Fall S’mores
• Pumpkin-flavored versions of your favorite snacks!

A Glamping Recipe 

After rolling into camp and getting all checked in, you and the family might be in the mood for a delicious dinner to start off your glamping adventure right. A crisp crust and piping hot toppings to adorn your pie are just what the doctor ordered. 

We’ve got just the recipe to try out. 

Head over to our shared camp kitchen where you can access a propane stove to perfect this camp meal. You’ll need to bring a skillet and spatula for the perfect crust. Here is our best advised list of ingredients for this one (but you can get creative and trade out for your favorites).

What you’ll need

• Skillet (don’t forget your oven mitt)
• Spatula
• Cutting board/knife
• Pizza dough (we recommend pre-made dough…ain’t nobody got time for dough from scratch when you’re camping)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Pizza sauce
• Toppings (Here are our favorites)
  • Pepperoni
  • Cheese
  • Bell peppers
  • Mushrooms
  • Olives

Step 1: Prep 

It’s easiest to get all the prep work done before you start. So, chop up any toppings that need to be prepped, divide your dough into personal pan sizes, and add a bit of oil to the skillet as it heats up.

Step 2: Make the Crust

After you’ve flattened your dough into a personal pan size, keep flipping it on the skillet until you’ve reached your level of desired crispness. This can take around 12 minutes or so as you cook it over medium heat. 

Step 3: Add Sauce and Toppings

Spread your favorite pizza sauce on the crust while it’s still in the skillet and sprinkle your cheese and toppings on as well. If you have a lid to cover the skillet, that will allow for a faster cooking time on heating up the toppings (about 5 minutes or so). 

Step 4: Enjoy!

This recipe is fun because it gives your camping crew a personalized dinner with the customizable toppings. It’s a great idea if you’re looking to break away from the typical hot-dog-over-the-fire option. 

Be sure to tag us with your best pizza creation! 

With lions and tigers as our next-door neighbors here at Safari Village, we have to tell you about the exciting opportunity to visit Out of Africa Wildlife Safari Park! While you can hear the animals from your tent at our outpost, you can experience them live at the park! And with your Safari Village receipt, you can take advantage of 20% off your admission ticket price!

Various shows, activities, and attractions will keep you busy throughout the park. We’ll hit our favorite highlights below, but if you peruse the Out of Africa website, you can get all the detailed information for your visit.

Shows

With a chance to get up close and personal with many species, check the schedule for daily shows! Professional trainers will guide different experiences for you and the family to enjoy unique and exciting wildlife interactions! See the Bengal and Siberian tigers playing, pose with some crazy cool reptiles, or hold a python! The parks’ trained professionals make this experience safe and available for the whole family! 

Activities 

Take a 30-min Safari ride through the park’s wildlife tour! Included with your park admission, this tour runs several times a day and will be a memorable thrill on your visit. Don’t forget to feed the giraffes with our provided treats! It’s a great way to become their BFF. 

Three days a week, you can also catch one of the park’s most popular activities, the Predator Feed! This walking tour allows you to witness the intensity of ferocious predators and their mealtime manners. You’ll want to pull out the camera for this one. 

Marketplace

When lunchtime hits, you might resonate with the ravenous lions at the predator feed and start to hunt for your own food! No worries. You can find food options to meet your preference at the Jungle Hut Eatery and Thee Place. Check the park’s website for specific hours of operation, and enjoy the wide variety of burgers, sandwiches, and snacks! Word to the wise: save room for some Hawaiian shaved ice!

The Gift Shop is a great way to take some of the memories with you after a wonderful adventure in the park. Books, stuffed animals, and other memorabilia will make the perfect gift or keepsake from your time. 

One thing is for sure－when you get back to your tent at Safari Village, there will be endless stories and laughs around the campfire as you review your exciting experience. We can’t wait for you to tag us in some pictures and tell us about the thrills of the day!

Photo Credit: https://outofafricapark.com/

So, you’ve booked your trip with us, and now you’re packing up and preparing to spend a nice relaxing vacation with family and friends! We’re here to help you when it comes to the details of your Safari Village glamping experience. Check out the most-asked questions below as well as our advice along the way!

Let’s talk food…

The lions aren’t the only ones who get hangry, we know. 

When it comes to food, you have a few options! Whether you’re wanting to plan your own meals and do the cooking or save the time and effort, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you can expect:

• Camp Verde is a short, 12-min. drive, and Cottonwood closer to 20 min. You can plan on grocery shopping at these locations if you’d like! Or you can take advantage of their various restaurant options and forget the cooking!
• If you choose to purchase an Out of Africa park ticket, you’ll have access to the snack bar and cafe in the park for yummy food options!
• We also have a shared camp kitchen where you can access small refrigerators and a one-burner propane grill. Please plan on bringing your own utensils! One bonus to our individual tent sites is the use of your own ice chest. (Be sure to pick up some ice before you get here!) Please note our propane fire pits are reserved for roasting marshmallows rather than cooking.

Where to park

You’ll receive a pass to place on your dashboard for access to parking at the Out of Africa parking lot, which is a short distance to the glamping sites! 

While you have the freedom to come and go as needed, please note the gates to the park close at 5 PM, and you’ll need to contact your camp host if you need them opened.

On-site activities

Besides the joy of being surrounded by nature and the sounds of wildlife, we have even more activities to keep you busy and having fun during your stay. 

• Comfy hammocks are accessible to our guests (BYOBook)
• Giant Jenga
• Cornhole 
• Campfires
• Wifi available for light use (not suited for streaming videos or large downloads)

We are certain you will have such a fun and unique experience, so we can’t wait to hear about your favorite part! You can find additional answers to your questions on our FAQ page!

Happy glamping! 

A Brief History of the Area

The quaint town of Jerome, Arizona, now home to just under 500 residents, is packed with rich history, ghostly attractions, and tourist spots. We recommend this day trip, as it’s a quick, 30-minute drive from our Waypoint Outposts. 

Along the streets of this city, resting high on a hill overlooking the Verde Valley, you’ll find traces of its mining history, ghost town stories, and other fun historical highlights. 

During the mid-1800s, when the area became part of U.S. territory, the population grew with ranchers and prospectors settling in, drawn to the mining possibilities of the land. But it was closer to 1880 before the interest in copper mining took off and several mines were established. 

You can visit the town and find out about the ups and downs of its mining history. Jerome has lasted through a tumultuous past, and now tourists are entertained daily by the stories and tales when they roam the streets. 

4 Historical Stops

1. Tours of Jerome: Be sure to catch a tour of the town. There are endless stories to accompany the streets and sites of Jerome, and it’s well worth having a guide to chat through and give you a deeper understanding of the town’s past. Make note of which tours are family friendly, as Jerome offers spooky ghost tours in addition to historical tours of its shady past.
2. Jerome’s Sliding Jail: Just down from Jerome’s main street sits a sad-looking jail. You can venture to it and find out how it received its name. Hint: it used to stand 225 feet from where it now rests. While the town (briefly nicknamed the “wickedest town in the west) used to be more in need of this jail’s services, the structure now sits quietly as a tourist attraction for a fun photo op.  
3. Jerome State Historic Park: A museum dedicated to Jerome’s history lies within the old mansion of the Douglas family. As the founder of the Little Daisy Mine, James S. Douglas built his home initially as a hotel for his family along with important investors and officials. The historic structure still stands, and a tour inside its walls will dive deeply into the stories and adventures of Jerome’s past. 
4. Mine Museum: If you’re specifically interested in Jerome’s claim to fame, check out the Mine Museum. You’ll get a front row seat to see various mining equipment used in the 1800s, including various cages, drills, and tools that miners used on a daily basis many years ago. Household supplies, hospital remnants, and gambling souvenirs are also included in the displays. You can make a pit stop in the gift shop on your way out and take a piece of history with you to remember your adventure. 

This cute and sleepy town is worth a visit while you’re staying with us at Waypoint Outposts. Whether it’s rich mining history, old ghost stories, or simply a look into the town’s past, you’re sure to find this quaint stop worth a visit with the family. 

Sources:

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-jerome/

https://www.travelingmom.com/family-vacation-destinations/jerome-az-ghost-town/

https://azstateparks.com/jerome/about-the-mansion/period-history

https://www.jeromehistoricalsociety.com/museums-buildings/mine-museum/

What’s Around Town?

It’s not difficult to fill your day with the fun activities and pretty sites of the Verde Valley. We want to point out some of our favorite stops so you can pack your vacation with adventure when you book your stay at Waypoint Outposts. 

A trip around town will offer a great variety of things to enjoy! Here are our highlights!

Top 3 Things to Do in Camp Verde

1. Horseback riding: Enjoy an hour-long, guided tour with Wild Western Horseback Adventures. This trip will take you around the valley, including the most beautiful scenery in the area. It’s great for all levels of riding experience. You can take the whole family! Or if you’re in the mood for more adventure, the Ride in the Vines tour takes you through Alcantara Vineyards. The mesmerizing scenery, just 30 minutes from Sedona, includes river crossings, old ruins, and of course the beautiful vineyard. This will for sure be a unique highlight of your trip! 
2. Fort Verde State Historic Park: Discover the rich history of the Verde Valley! If you’re interested in frontier life and the military history of the area, a stop at Fort Verde State Historic Park will give you a glimpse into the 1800s. You’ll find some of the original buildings still standing and living history programs to bring the history to life! The park rangers are a wealth of knowledge and enjoy answering questions about this time in history. Be sure to check it out!
3. Predator Zip Lines: We cannot forget the amazing experiences at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. You can experience an aerial view of the park with their thrilling zip line tours! At Predator Zip Lines, a two-hour tour takes you through five lines in addition to a suspension bridge! As you fly through the park, see how many animals you can spot－lions, cougars, and tigers, to name a few. There are even options for nighttime tours! Not only will you enjoy the zip lines, but your senses will take in the sounds of the wildlife like never before in the thrill of the night! 

We haven’t even begun to dive into the wineries and breweries of the area! The truth is, this little town has so many attractions packed inside its 43 square miles. When you map out your list of things to do, it’s likely you’ll need to divide and conquer within a couple trips! 

Or, make it a regular family trip so you can experience the fun memories again and again! You know we have your accommodations ready to book at Waypoint Outposts each time! Have fun!

Sources:

https://www.horsebackwinecountry.com/

https://azstateparks.com/fort-verde/about-the-fort/park-history

https://predatorzipline.com/tours/the-predator/