Camp Verde
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In 1865, the U.S. Army established Camp Lincoln, later called Camp Verde and Fort Verde. There were no fortified walls at Fort Verde since the Yavapais and Apaches never attacked any of the 43 forts in the Arizona territory. Fort Verde State Park's museum is surrounded by a picket fence. The historic outpost with worn wooden floors tells the stories of central Arizona's Indian wars. Artifacts include a bugle found in 1878 on the Little Bighorn battlefield. Buglers played it in the Arizona territory until 1886. Today, Camp Verde is home to a farming and ranching community with the Verde River and its irrigation canals keeping the valley appropriately green. Verde is Spanish for "green." The Yavpapai-Apache Nation occupies the nearby Middle Verde community west of town and operates the Cliff Castle Casino with a bowling alley and other entertainment. In April 2017, it opened a six-story, 122-room hotel to add to its existing 80 rooms. Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Out of Africa Wildlife Park are among Camp Verde's other attractions. We recommend breakfast or lunch at Thanks A Latte Espresso Cafe in an old gas station on Main Street. Try the tasty breakfast burritos or a club sandwich. Camp Verde's newest attraction is Rockin' River Ranch State Park at the confluence of West Clear Creek and the Verde River. It's a 209-acre day-use park with trails along the river. The riparian area along the Verde attracts birds, javelina, deer, beaver and otters. Fossil Creek, 22 miles southeast of Camp Verde is another riparian area popular for its swimming holes in warm weather. Use permits are required from April 1 to October 1. This is a Coconino National Forest recreation area but permits are available at recreation.gov. Access to Fossil Creek is from State Route 260 east of Camp Verde to unpaved Forest Road 708. |
Kayakers and rafters paddle the Verde, especially during spring runoff.
If kitschy roadside distractions are your thing, Camp Verde claims it has the world's largest Kokopelli, a Navajo icon typically shown playing a flute. It's 32 feet tall and is located just east of Interstate 17 on State Route 260 (Exit 287) among tourist services. We stopped in to try the craft beer at Verde Brewing Co., 724 Industrial Drive, northeast of I-17 and SR 260. The brewery and taproom are off the main drag in a warehouse district. They served up a tasty Honey Lager. One footnote: Camp Verde boasts that the town is closest to the geographic center of Arizona. Founded: 1865 Elevation: 3,160 feet Population: 11,259 |
Fossil Creek is a popular recreation area 22 miles southeast of Camp Verde. Permits from Recreation.gov are required April 1 to October 1.
The Verde River passes under Interstate 17 at the 30-acre Parsons Riverfront Preserve, named for John Parsons, a local conservationist.
Clear Creek Church, east of town, was built from 1898 to 1903.
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Cottonwoods and pecan trees shade a home on Camp Verde's Pecan Lane.
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The Hauser family, which has farmed for six generations, sells sweet corn at a roadside stand in season on Montezuma Castle Highway.
Fort Verde operated from 1865-91 with an average of 110 soldiers. They protected settlers who moved into areas occupied by
Yavapai and Apache people.
Cowboy Corner on Main Street is is thick with Western artifacts.
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Verde Brewing Co. has served Camp Verde since 2013.
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Kayakers floating downstream from Camp Verde headed for the takeout at Beasley Flat.
A gnarly, old tree is well rooted in a bank of the Verde River at the Rockin' River Ranch State Park, which opened in 2024.