A Guide to the Best Hiking
Hiking is the main draw for many visitors to Arizona in general. With countless mountains, ranging from simple, to intermediate, to challenging, there is a place for any level of adventure seeker wanting to hit the trails.
Climate Check: When to visit
We begin our travel guide in the quaint and cozy town of Camp Verde, Arizona. This small town is a quick 12-minute drive from our Safari Village Waypoint Outpost. It boasts mild weather year-round, making it a perfect place for hiking and enjoying the outdoors at any time.
During the summer, you can expect average highs to be in the mid 90s. Wintertime brings averages down to the mid 60s, but spring’s blend of high 70s makes it the ideal time to enjoy this region.
“Verde,” Spanish for green, gives the valley a fitting name due to the lush greenery. Sheltered by the surrounding mountains and watered by Arizona’s summer rain, this spot is ideal for fellow outdoor adventurers to get their fix of hikes year round.
Top 3 Hiking Spots
- Montezuma Castle National Monument Trail: This easy hike is a short, less-than-half-a-mile walk to a historical landmark of cliff dwellings, preserved from over 1000 years ago! Most say the $10/person fee is worth it! You’ll get to enjoy a paved path, winding its way to some river views of Beaver Creek. At the end of the trail, marvel at the ancient ruins of the Sinagua, a diverse and resourceful people group whose structures stand to this day!
- Copper Canyon Loop Trail 504: Just under four miles, this hike is easy for all hikers. You can enjoy the views of the landscape and optional waterfall stretch, with minimal effort, making this trail a popular one! You can find this hike on the outer, southwest edge of Camp Verde.
- McDonald Trail: The unique feature of the McDonald trail is its abundance of caves! This 1-mile trek out and back is a moderately difficult hike. Unique landscape and views will allow for some picturesque stops along the way. Don’t forget your water!
Exploring the Verde River
We can’t forget the namesake of the Camp Verde region! The Verde River is a big selling point for this vacation destination. Varying skill levels of canoers and kayakers can each find a good fit for venturing down the river. An 18-mile stretch through town is great for beginners to find spots to practice, while those seeking a bigger thrill can make their way to the 41-mile stretch of a more rustic and scenic float south of Camp Verde.
The following access points are great for beginners wanting to try some kayaking!
- Lower TAPCO river access point to Tuzigoot
- The Skidmore Lane river access point to Bignotti river access point in the Prescott National Forest
- Black Bridge river access point to Beasley Flat river access point in the Town of Camp Verde
If you’re looking for a pit stop to do some fishing or boating, the White Bridge Picnic Site offers options to set up for a picnic lunch and enjoy a lazy afternoon. This is a great spot for access to Beasley Flat or Clear Creek, with a paved ramp leading to the river.
After all this adventuring, you’re going to be hungry! Be sure to check out our favorite coffee shops and cafes in our next blog.
Don’t forget to tag us in all your adventure photos! We’ll be ready for you back at camp with a nice campfire when you’ve returned from a full day of outdoor fun.
Sources:
https://www.campverde.az.gov/our-community/weather
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/montezuma-castle-national-monument-trail
https://visitcampverde.com/verde-river/
http://www.bluetrailsguide.org/find-a-blue-trail/tips-for-paddling-the-verde-river/
