|
Arizona Outdoor Recreation & Attractions
Yavapai County contains the Prescott National Forest, the Coconino National Forest covers the area east of Sycamore Creek and east of the Verde River. Yavapai County has 19 wilderness areas all together. The Tonto National Forest covers the southeast portion of the county and the "Wild River" portion of the Verde River and into the Horseshoe Reservoir, and a small portion of the Kaibab near Ash Fork. Agua Fria National Monument Camping, hiking, hunting, birding. Access from Bloody Basin Rd. and Badger Spring Rd. off I-17. Maps of the new National Monument are available at the sign-in stations. Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District 250 Brewer Road, Sedona, AZ (928) 282-4119 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/ Pine-covered plateau cut by deep canyons and bordered on the south by the spectacular Mogollon Rim, a 1,000-foot cliff running for miles across central Arizona. Outstanding scenery in Oak Creek Canyon and the Red Rocks country surrounding Sedona. Forest flanked on the southwest by the Verde River. Trout fishing in several lakes and streams and horseback riding. Covers the Verde Valley & Red country. The Coconino National Forest varies from the alpine tundra of the San Francisco Peaks to the desert landscape of the Verde River. Best bets for drives are the Oak Creek Canyon and the Red Rock/ Sycamore Canyon Scenic Drive. In the fall, look for color in Oak Creek Canyon, along the scenic drive there or on any of the canyon's hiking trails. Desert Canyon Country: Recreation in this area is focused on the Upper Sonoran Desert landscape of the Verde River (Arizona's only designated Wild and Scenic River) and its tributaries. It meanders the entire length of the area and is large enough to navigate in kayaks, canoes and small rafts. These riparian areas are great for wildlife watching, especially birding. The colorful collection of buttes, pinnacles, mesas and canyons surrounding Sedona is famous the world over for its red rock vistas. Over the years, this area has served as the setting of many western novels and movies and has been the subject of uncounted paintings, photographs and other works of art. There are six wilderness areas in the Coconino: Sycamore, Red Rock-Secret Mountain, Munds Mountain, Wet Beaver Creek, Clear Creek and Fossil Springs. A Red Rock Pass (Daily, Weekly, Annual or Grand Annual Pass) is required for parking on the National Forest in Red Rock Country. If no vehicle is parked, no pass is required. Parked vehicles that do not display a valid Red Rock Pass are subject to a citation of $30. The cost of a daily pass is $5. http://www.redrockcountry.org/redrockpass.htm Dead Horse Ranch State Park 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326 (928) 634-5283 http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html Don't' be alarmed by its name; this state park is located next to the community of Cottonwood in the scenic Verde Valley, and is alive with animal and human activity. Perhaps best known as a 'nest' for birdwatching, the park is also favored for picnicking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, and stream and pond fishing. Walking trails meander along the shady banks of the Verde River. The park, with its full-facility campground is also a good base for exploring other attractions in and around the Verde Valley. Many events, including the annual Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival the last weekend in April (634-8437) birdyverde.org and the Verde River Days the last Saturday in September. Grand Canyon Caverns Grand Canyon Caverns located on Route 66, twenty-two miles west of Seligman, AZ, has limestone walls formed in prehistoric times by an inland sea. Fossils and the bones of long-extinct animals have been found in the Caverns. Although Grand Canyon Caverns has been open to the public for over 74 years, each year new discoveries and deeper wonders are uncovered. Heritage Park Zoo Heritage Park Zoo is a non-profit facility dedicated to the conservation and protection of indigenous and exotic animals. Located in scenic Prescott, Arizona, the zoo provides a source of recreation, education and entertainment for all ages. The philosophy is simple: “to preserve Earth's heritage for generations to come.” Most of the animals at Heritage Park Zoo have a story. That's because they often come to the zoo injured or orphaned. At the Zoo they are nurtured in enclosures that mimic natural habitats by compassionate staff and volunteers. Summer Hours: The Zoo is open daily, May 1st through October 31st: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission Highlands Center for Natural History The Highlands Center for Natural History has been providing quality outdoor science education for almost three decades on their original twenty-acre site. This outdoor learning center was established in 1973 to serve the students of the Prescott Unified School District by encouraging the study of science in an outdoor setting. From those roots the Highlands Center has expanded tremendously -- programs and materials now reach over 10,000 children and adults throughout central Arizona. Lake Pleasant Regional Park Out of Africa Wildlife Park Tiger Splash is one of several educational and entertaining presentations at Out of Africa Wildlife Park. After 16 years in Fountain Hills, Arizona, the new park is under construction in Camp Verde and will be opening soon. Meet anacondas, giant pythons and other reptiles. Visit the aviaries, rich in colorful birds. Walk the paths, enjoy the habitats and learn how animals coexist in a natural world. Whether you’re on board our two-story Hummer and face to face with a giraffe, or watching tigers leap into a giant pool after toys, visitors will enjoy real-life animal encounters at Out of Africa Wildlife Park. Page Springs Fish Hatchery Prescott National Forest Chino Valley Ranger District Verde Ranger District The Prescott National Forest lies in the heart of Yavapai County and covers the Bradshaw Mountains, Chino Valley, the Black Hills and the Verde Valley west of Sycamore Creek and from Cottonwood southwest of the Verde River. US Forest Service: Arizona State Parks: Summer visitors seeking relief from the hot weather of the desert come to Prescott National Forest to camp, fish, picnic, hike and ride. The main recreation season generally runs from May to October; however, winter daytime temperatures are moderate and the forest can be enjoyed all year. The forest contains 17 campgrounds and 9 picnic areas. Most of the developed recreation sites are located in the pines with 5 of the campgrounds and two of the picnic areas situated near man made lakes. Several developed sites offer barrier-free access for users experiencing disabilities. Nearly 450 miles of scenic trails for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, or mountain biking are available on forest lands. Red Rock State Park Tonto National Forest The Tonto National Forest covers the southeast corner of Yavapai County with access to the Mazatzal Wilderness and the Verde Wild River. It is a rough road, but some people drive the Bloody Basin Road from Interstate 17 Exit 259 to Carefree (I-8 on map). This provides access to the Cave Creek and Seven Springs Campgrounds on the Great Western Trail as well as to Horseshoe Reservoir, Sheep Bridge and the Horseshoe and Mesquite camps. The Tonto NF can be accessed from Carefree. Topographic or forest service maps are recommended. Verde Canyon Railroad Visitors ride from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back through the spectacular Verde Canyon with its rugged rock faces and lush riparian area. Eagles are often seen along the way.
|
|||
|
4050 Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336
300 North Broadway, Clarkdale, Arizona 86324
