Surrounded By State Parks In The Heart Of Arizona Wine Country, Cottonwood Is A Charming, Must-Visit Little Town
Arizona has no shortage of slow-paced small towns, but Cottonwood just might be the most charming of them all. This little gem is in the heart of Arizona wine country, features a historic main street with more than 60 businesses, and is surrounded by state parks and national monuments.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Just an hour and a half outside of Phoenix, Cottonwood is a charming town in the heart of Arizona wine country. With a main street featuring more than 60 shops, restaurants, and other businesses, this close-knit community has numerous accolades under its belt.
Whether you love antique stores, art galleries, boutiques, or live performances, there's something for everyone in Cottonwood. As you stroll through the town square, notice how each building has a distinct character all its own.
Take Larry's, for example — two acres of unique items fill this unassuming space, with kitschy treasures sprawled out all over the grounds.
Speaking of wine country, more than a dozen vineyards and wineries are located in the area. The family-owned Page Springs Cellars is one of them, boasting unparalleled views of Oak Creek. Enjoy a glass in paradise as you munch on gourmet appetizers and enjoy the scenery.
Cottonwood also has several amazing bars and breweries.
A lesser-known fact about Cottonwood is that it's surrounded by state parks and national monuments. Pictured here is Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which spans a whopping 423 acres.
Embark on 10 miles of scenic hiking trails, and extend your stay overnight with 150 campsites.
Not far at all from town is Jerome State Historic Park. The park is most notable for Douglas Mansion, a home-turned-museum built more than 100 years ago by a prominent mining family.
Step inside to discover antique mining equipment, a variety of exhibits and displays, video presentations, and a picnic area offering gorgeous panoramic views of the Valley.
Located in nearby Camp Verde is Fort Verde State Historic Park, which seeks to preserve an 1880s Apache Wars-era fort. The army was dispatched to the area in the late 19th-century after local Native American tribes, the Dilzhe'e Apache and Yavapai, began raiding the crops of settlers who disrupted their hunting and gathering practices.
The fort consisted of 22 buildings at its height, though no actual fighting ever took place.
The highly underrated Verde River Greenway State Natural Area is more than six miles long and nearly 500 acres in size. Lush greenery lines the banks, providing shelter for wildlife such as great blue heron, black hawks, southwestern bald eagles, coyotes, and mule deer.
Hiking, swimming, canoeing, and fishing are among the activities guests can enjoy.
Tuzigoot National Monument, just east of Clarkdale, is a 110-room pueblo built by the Sinagua people about 1,000 years ago. Perched on a hilltop above the Verde River floodplain, it's among the best-preserved ancient ruins in Central Arizona.
A paved walkway leads up to the pueblo and features informative signs highlighting different topics about the area and ruin itself.
Equally incredible, Montezuma Castle National Monument protects a set of cliff dwellings dating to somewhere between 1100 and 1425 AD. These structures were also erected by the Sinagua people.
What are some fun things to do in Cottonwood, Arizona?
Cottonwood is one of those towns that we feel is tragically underrated. If you’re a fan of historic towns with plenty of wonderful little local shops, eateries, and artisans, you’ll love Cottonwood. There’s a little bit of something for everyone, from geology buffs to history geeks and everyone in between. Shop till you drop at adorable local boutique shops and find something unique and fun to take home with you. Take a tour of the nearby state park, Dead Horse State Park, and go just a little north on the 89A and visit Jerome. Cottonwood is also the home of many wonderful wineries, and during the summer the wineries often offer tours and tastings. Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of Cottonwood’s excellent restaurants (especially the ones on old Main Street), and then stay out past dark to see infinite stars in the night sky. Cottonwood is much more fun than most locals even give it credit for!
What are some fun things to do outdoors in Arizona?
Who says you can’t have a good time outside in Arizona? Almost nobody, that’s who. Some folks might assume it’s too hot out here to do anything fun, but they don’t realize that the overbearing heat is only around for a few months. After that, it’s prime time to get outside! The Copper State is home to lots of beautiful hiking trails – more than 800 miles of them, to be exact. Arizona is also amazing for fishing, boating (even during those hot summer months), camping (SO much fun year-round), and even rock climbing and geocaching! Visiting any of our stunning state parks (of which there are 31) or national parks (of which there are 24 designated national sites) is also always a great idea, and so is the amazing Phoenix Botanical Garden. If you love that, you’ll also appreciate a visit to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, in Superior. If you enjoy outdoorsy things, Arizona is honestly THE place to go. For some more ideas about wonderful things to do outdoors in Arizona, check out this article!
Address: Cottonwood, AZ, USA
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
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