Explore Arizona Lodging, Guides, Maps & More
  • Destinations
    • National Parks
      • The Grand Canyon National Park
      • Mesa Verde
      • Petrified Forest National Park
      • Saguaro National Park
      • Zion National Park
      • See All
    • State Parks
      • Alamo Lake
      • Buckskin Mountain
      • Catalina
      • Dead Horse Ranch
      • Lake Havasu
      • Patagonia Lake
      • Slide Rock
    • Cities & Towns
      • Flagstaff
      • Jerome
      • Lake Havasu City
      • Mesa
      • Phoenix
      • Sedona
      • Tombstone
    • National Monuments
      • Agua Fria
      • Canyon de Chelly
      • Monument Valley
      • Wupatki
    • Natural Areas
      • Devils Bridge
      • Antelope Canyon
      • Horseshoe Bend
      • Lake Powell
      • Lake Mead
      • The Wave
  • Things To Do
    • Outdoor Recreation
      • ATV/ Offroad
      • Boating
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Hiking
      • River Rafting
      • Horseback Riding
    • Attractions
      • Arts
      • Amusement Parks in Arizona
      • Culture
      • Hoover Dam
      • Museums
      • Spring Training Baseball
  • Places to Stay
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Camping
    • Glamping
    • Hotels
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks
  • Tours & Guides
  • Travel Tips
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Destinations
    • National Parks
      • The Grand Canyon National Park
      • Mesa Verde
      • Petrified Forest National Park
      • Saguaro National Park
      • Zion National Park
      • See All
    • State Parks
      • Alamo Lake
      • Buckskin Mountain
      • Catalina
      • Dead Horse Ranch
      • Lake Havasu
      • Patagonia Lake
      • Slide Rock
    • Cities & Towns
      • Flagstaff
      • Jerome
      • Lake Havasu City
      • Mesa
      • Phoenix
      • Sedona
      • Tombstone
    • National Monuments
      • Agua Fria
      • Canyon de Chelly
      • Monument Valley
      • Wupatki
    • Natural Areas
      • Devils Bridge
      • Antelope Canyon
      • Horseshoe Bend
      • Lake Powell
      • Lake Mead
      • The Wave
  • Things To Do
    • Outdoor Recreation
      • ATV/ Offroad
      • Boating
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Hiking
      • River Rafting
      • Horseback Riding
    • Attractions
      • Arts
      • Amusement Parks in Arizona
      • Culture
      • Hoover Dam
      • Museums
      • Spring Training Baseball
  • Places to Stay
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Camping
    • Glamping
    • Hotels
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks
  • Tours & Guides
  • Travel Tips

Basecamp: Cottonwood | Destination: Amazing

Cottonwood Arizona is the perfect basecamp to experience some of the top destinations that Arizona has to offer. Here’s how to do it.

Wake up from a great night’s rest while staying at the Verde Valley Inn. If you’re a go-getter, wake up on time for that beautiful Arizona sunrise. If you’d rather sleep in, that’s cool too. Either way, get your morning going by choosing from the plethora of breakfast options and hit the road for a quick drive to Tuzigoot National Monument. This National Monument will give you a glimpse into the life of Native Americans that inhabited the area and you can see up close and personal the pueblos that are still standing. It’s remarkable to see the structures that are still standing and to read about the history of the early inhabitants of the Verde Valley. 

Pro Tip- If you’re planning on visiting any other National Monuments or  National Parks on your trip to Arizona, it’d be worth your time to purchase a National Parks pass. Otherwise, the cost is $10 per person. 

Take your time reading the signs and studying the craftsmanship of the pueblos at Tuzigoot but when you’re ready to head out, don’t feel sad because the party is just getting started!

It’s just a quick 30-minute drive to Out of Africa Wildlife Theme Park. Hopefully, the kids had a blast at Tuzigoot National Monument, but if looking at ancient artifacts isn’t their cup of chocolate milk, Out of Africa Wildlife Theme Park will be!

You and the family can experience Africa in Arizona and enjoy the many shows and encounters that are offered. Everything from giant snake shows to an African bush safari to a predator zipline. Yes, you read that right. You can zipline over lions! Are you traveling on a budget or maybe you don’t have time to spend very long? No problem. Out of Africa Wildlife Theme Park offers bundles so you can experience it the way you want. Yes, I know, this place has everything you could imagine from A to Z, but wait, there’s more! 

If you didn’t eat some food at Out of Africa Wildlife Theme Park, grab the kids a quick happy meal and refuel at Starbucks because the fun isn’t over. Montezuma Castle National Monument is just a short 12-minute drive away. If you thought the pueblos at Tuzigoot National Monument were impressive just wait until you take a glimpse through the window of the past and see the impressive high-rise apartments in the cliffs.

The Park Rangers are happy to share with you their knowledge of the Sinagua people. Your imagination will run wild as you get a glimpse into the lives of this industrious, native civilization and their way of life. The ruins built into the cliff are jaw-dropping and every member of the family can enjoy the view with a short walk on the self-guided ⅓ mile loop trail. 

If you’ve been pounding the caffeine and still want more to experience, cruise over to Walnut Canyon National Monument. It’s incredible to walk the path around the canyon and look out to see structures built throughout the entire canyon. There are lots of stairs but it’s worth every single one. 

Not sure if you’re up for another National Monument and want to save that for another day? No worries. Head back to Cottonwood, Arizona but take a small detour and check out Jerome, AZ. This old mining town is worth the detour just to see the old mine and modern homes built into the mountain. You’ll think you’re in another country as you drive up the road towards the town once known as “The Wickedest Town in the West”. Not sure it’s worthy of that nickname? Step up to the plate and experience a Ghost Town Tour and see for yourself!

PreviousNext

Subscribe Email

subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Travel Tips

  • Explore all 3 of Arizona’s National Parks in just 5 days December 14, 2021
  • 15 ideas for traveling to Flagstaff Arizona December 13, 2021
  • Itinerary ideas for traveling to Arizona December 3, 2021
  • 5 Must See Stops on Route 66 November 10, 2021
  • Cottonwood Arizona Itinerary October 25, 2021
  • HOUSEBOAT HOMESCHOOL IN LAKE POWELL August 31, 2021

Plan your trip

  • Explore Arizona
  • Destinations
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Arizona Tours & Guides
  • Arizona Lodging

Subscribe to our newsletter

Search All of Arizona

© Copyright - Explore Arizona
HOUSEBOAT HOMESCHOOL IN LAKE POWELL 5 Must See Stops on Route 66
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Accept settingsHide notification onlySettings

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Accept settingsHide notification only
 

Loading Comments...