Explore Camp Verde Outdoors

Charming and rural, Camp Verde is a small, friendly western town with the scenic Verde River flowing through it with miles of horseback, hiking and OHV trails. Explore Arizona outdoors in a moderate high desert climate where you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off highway vehicle treks. Located in the geographic center of Arizona off Interstate 17, Camp Verde is only 90 minutes north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff, and 25 minutes from Sedona.

TRAILS

MOUNTAIN BIKING, 4-WHEEL & HORSE TRAIL - STRIKING VIEWS

COPPER CANYON TRAILHEAD: Within the Prescott National Forest, plans are underway for a future trailhead at this site, a mile off the intersection of Oasis and Salt Mine Roads. In the meantime, Forest Service 136, a rugged portion of the old historic General Crook Trail in Copper Canyon between Oasis Road and Cherry Road, provides a nice short upward trek for high-clearance vehicles, mountain bikes and horseback riders.

DIRECTIONS: From downtown Camp Verde, go south along Main Street until it dead-ends at the Arizona 260 Bypass. Turn left onto Arizona 260 East and proceed a short distance ( 0.2 miles) to Salt Mine Road, turn right onto Salt Mine Road and proceed 1.3 miles to Oasis Road, turn right onto Oasis Road for about 50 yards to the first dirt road on the left. Proceed approximately one (1) mile past the Yavapai County Materials Yard to a cattle guard. Just beyond the cattle guard, take the left fork road (this roadway can be steep and rugged but with beautiful vistas along the route, FS 136).

CONTACT: Verde Ranger Station, (physical) 300 E. Hwy. 260, Camp Verde, AZ 86322; (928) 567-4121.

Riverhiking Trail - Scenic

WEST CLEAR CREEK TRAIL #17 (7.5 miles): This scenic trail starts at the Bull Pen Trailhead and traverses the picturesque Camp Verde West Clear Creek. Perfect for hikers and backpackers, it is ranked easy to strenuous (sometimes steep, rocky and high water). Featured in Arizona Highways Magazine, this trail is an enjoyable backcountry trek with tree-shaded riparian areas, river crossings, and hidden pools for refreshing dips and fishing. Public toilet available at trailhead.

DIRECTIONS: Start at the Chamber of Commerce, 385 S. Main Street; proceed south along Main Street to its dead-end at the Arizona 260 Bypass. Turn left on East Arizona 260 and go approximately 5 miles past Mile Post #226 to the Bull Pen Road turnoff, a/k/a Forest Service Road 618; turn left onto FS 618 and proceed 2 miles to Forest Road 215; turn right onto FS 215 and go about 3 miles to the Bull Pen Trailhead (Caution: Road can be rugged and winding in spots).

CONTACT: Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20249, Sedona AZ 86341; (928) 282-4119.

RIVER HIKING TRAIL - HARDY/HISTORIC

VERDE HOT SPRINGS (using the Fossil Creek Road route): This old hotel/hot springs site was once a famous resort, reported to have had many movies stars and President Teddy Roosevelt as visitors. Only some walls, foundation and a concrete mineral hot spring pool remain but if you are an adventuresome type, it’s a fun and challenging hike.

DIRECTIONS: Take Arizona Hwy. 260 E approximately 7 miles from Camp Verde’s downtown area to the Fossil Creek Road. Continue on Fossil Creek Road south along a gravel road, Forest Service 708, (high clearance vehicles recommended) approximately 12 miles; turn onto Forest Road 502 and go approximately 6 miles to the Childs Power Plant campground. Cross the Verde River (caution: if river is too high, do not proceed); go north along the banks of the river approximately one-half mile. Cross to the island in the middle of the river. Hike upstream on the island about one-quarter mile; wade (swim) west across the river to the ruins of the Verde Hot Springs. BEWARE: Occasional nudity at this remote location.

CONTACT: Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20249, Sedona AZ 86341, (928) 282-4119.

OHV TRAIL

HAYFIELD DRAW: This daytime public course is for off highway vehicles (OHV) - cross country, ATVs and motorcycles. Part of the Prescott National Forest, enjoy 40 acres of open riding, 120 miles of trails (the longest is 50 miles) and a tot lot for beginners—with toilets, ramadas, grills and tables (no water).

DIRECTIONS: Between Camp Verde and Cottonwood, the site is 5.5 miles northwest of Interstate 17 on the south side of Arizona 260.

CONTACT: Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.

HIKING & HORSEBACK TRAIL

DESERT LANDSCAPES

MAIL TRAIL: This historic old mail route (1884-1914) through the Coconino National Forest on into the Tonto National Forest runs from Camp Verde to Payson. It was a 52-mile course used for mail service by horseback for the communities of Camp Verde, Payson, Rutherford, Strawberry, Pine and sometimes Rye. Rigorous, it took riders 11-18 hours and varies in elevations from 3,000 feet to 6,000 feet with occasional treacherous river crossings. It is recommended for robust hikers, horseback riders and packers and is best taken in segments.

Mail Trail #84, listed below, which takes five hours one way, is one segment. Look for a Mail Trail sign to the right past the trailhead. Wooden trail signs and cairn markers (rock & wire) can be found along the route.

Mail Trail #84: Ranked strenuous, take plenty of water and a survival kit. Expect hot summers and occasional snowfalls in the wintertime. Use USGS Maps: Strawberry Quad.

DIRECTIONS: The large trailhead, with plenty of room for horse trailers, is on the south side of Arizona 260, between Mile Marker 239 and 240, approximately 20 miles southeast of Camp Verde.

CONTACT: Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20249, Sedona AZ 86341, (928) 282-4119.

MULE & HORSEBACK TRAIL - SCENIC VISTAS

GRIEF HILL: This is an old wagon route built in 1864, which is steep and treacherous but with high scenic vistas -- best traversed by hardy animals, such as mules and horses. This trail parallels Interstate 17, between Arizona Hwy. 260 and Arizona Hwy. 169 (according to Verde Ranger Station officials, the trail dwindles out). Builder Rancher King Woolsey charged soldiers and civilians two cents per mile for its use in the old days; an early version of a toll road. The Grief Hill Trailhead is located off Cherry Road, west of Camp Verde.

DIRECTIONS: From Exit 287 at I-17 and Hwy. 260, take Hwy. 260 toward Cottonwood (northwesterly) 2.7 miles to Cherry Road; turn left and go approximately 2.2 miles to trailhead on the left. (Note: Cherry Road turns into a gravel roadway).

CONTACT: Verde Ranger Station, (physical) 300 E. Hwy. 260, Camp Verde, AZ 86322; (928) 567-4121.

KAYAKING/FLOAT TRIPS & HORSEBACK RIDES

Kayaking and Float Trips

Ride the Verde River, a beautiful water way with 18 miles running through Camp Verde, virtually untouched by the public. Certain portions of it, including areas in and around town, are federally designated as “wild and scenic”, Arizona’s only river to obtain such a prestigious designation.

Discover its splendor by canoe, kayak or float device. And if you don’t own your own gear, commercial float trips, shuttles to and from the river, and rental equipment are now available.

See the Chamber of Commerce for details. National Forest guidelines suggest three major access points: White Bridge, Beasley Flats, and near Childs Power Plant (caution: route into Childs is steep, winding and sometimes slippery when wet).

A Boater’s Guide to the Verde River can be obtained through the Verde Ranger Station, PO Box 670, (physical 300 East Hwy. 260), Camp Verde, AZ 86322; phone (928) 567-4121. It includes travel time along various segments of the river.

Horseback Rides

Horses and riders are as common to the Southwest as cactus and beautiful panoramic vistas and sunsets. For that special memory to take home, enjoy trail rides designed to suit your individual preferences and skill levels at sites near Camp Verde, operated by professional trail riding services. See Chamber of Commerce for details.

CAMPING & FISHING

FOREST SERVICE CAMPGROUNDS: The Clear Creek Campground is 5.5 miles east from downtown on Hwy. 260 —18 single sites & one group site. Call 282-4119, Red Rock Ranger District.

CAMPING ON THE VERDE RIVER: There are no National Forest developed campgrounds along the Verde River. Dispersed camping is allowed with a 14-day stay limit outside of designated recreational sites. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out required.

RV PARKS: Camp Verde offers visitors RV parks — on the creek, close to the casino and conveniently located off a state highway. Check with the Camp Verde Chamber for details and location.

Fishing

The Verde River, according to the Prescott National Forest guidelines, is “free flowing” for most of its length, with “lush riparian habitat and spectacular scenery.” Because the majority of it passes through National Forest, it is open to the public year-round for fishing. Recommended access locations:

Beasley Flat Recreational Day Use Site: From Interstate 17 in Camp Verde, take Hwy. 260 east 3 miles to Salt Mine Road, follow Salt Mine Road for 10 miles then left on FR# 529 for 2 miles to recreational site. Picnic tables, toilets, and water are available. Day use hours, from dusk to dawn.

White Bridge Recreational Day Use Site: From I-17 in Camp Verde, take Hwy. 260 east 4 miles to Quarter Horse Lane, then a quick right into recreational site. Picnic tables/toilets available.

Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Yellow Bullhead, and Roundtail Chub can be found in the river. Rainbow Trout are stocked seasonally from about November to March. There are no limits on bass and catfish, six trout daily and a daily bag limit of one chub statewide, minimum size 13 inches.

Fishing licenses are available at a local feed store.