Blake Walsh

25 Best Things to Do in Camp Verde, AZ

  • Published 2023/01/16

Out of the different towns you can visit within the Arizona area, Camp Verde is a prime location.

Located within the Yavapai County, Camp Verde is rich in history, attractions, and more.

Ranging from ranches to wineries and even a castle, the options for visitors in Camp Verde are vast.

In addition to different sights, the town is only an hour away from various locations, including Phoenix and Payson.

With that in mind, here are the 25 best things to do in Camp Verde, Arizona:

Get a Close and Personal Experience at Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Giraffe at Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Pamela Au / Shutterstock.com

Any animal fan will want to make a stop at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

It features over a hundred animals, with a large acre of land and different options for visitors.

The park is open every day, but you will not be able to enter once 4 p.m. hits.

Tickets are available for online purchases, and booking in advance is possible.

Close view of a Giraffe at Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Tom Shockey from St Charles, IL, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What’s more, there is an option for memberships if you are interested.

The wildlife park offers all kinds of experiences for visitors to enjoy ranging from animal feedings to tours of the preserve.

When choosing to go on their different tours, you’re sure to get a close encounter with various animals.

Water buffalos at Out of Africa Wildlife Park

LeoWinkelmann / Shutterstock.com

Rent a Stay at Jackpot Ranch

Camp Verde provides plenty of sights and attractions you can travel to, but if you want to combine the outdoors and fun while staying in a relaxing spot, head over to Jackpot Ranch.

Jackpot Ranch has plenty to offer for all its visitors, including various facilities and different types of rooms you can book.

Whether you want to check out the horses or have fun with other facilities, such as the water slide, there’s plenty of options you can choose from at Jackpot Ranch.

When it comes to the lodging choices at the ranch, they range from rooms that can accommodate five people up to lodging that can accommodate more than two dozen.

Dig Into Native History at Verde Valley Archaeological Center

Another historical spot to visit when in Camp Verde is the Verde Valley Archaeological Center.

The Verde Valley Archaeological Center is home to a variety of artifacts and exhibits for visitors to view.

Some of the activities you can sign up for at the center are tours, hikes, and even lectures.

As a center that curates many different sites, there is plenty for visitors to see.

Some of the exhibits that you can find include old villages and maintained gardens.

Explore History at Montezuma Castle National Monument

Daytime view of Montezuma Castle National Monument

Pamela Au / Shutterstock.com

One of the first places you need to visit in Camp Verde is the Montezuma Castle National Monument.

Not only is it an impressive structure to behold, but the monument also holds plenty of artifacts for history fans to peruse.

The Montezuma Castle National Monument aims to preserve Native American Culture and features twenty rooms that managed to stand against all odds while situated on a limestone cliff.

Structures of Montezuma Castle National Monument

sochigirl / Shutterstock.com

You can visit this monument any day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on holidays.

Once you arrive at the location, you’ll need to make a stop at the visitor center first to purchase your tickets.

In addition to covering entrance fees, the visitor center also holds a small museum and a bookstore for further information.

When visiting the monument, you can relax at a picnic area and hike through different trails.

Front view of Montezuma Castle National Monument

John Gress Media Inc / Shutterstock.com

Check Out Vintage Items at Sweet Pea Antiques

There are plenty of different shops you can check out when visiting Camp Verde.

One shop where you can get some unique items for a souvenir would be the Sweet Pea Vintage Antiques.

If you visit the shop during different weeks, you can find various vintage items that change per week.

Spanning thousands of acres and hosting plenty of vendors, there is a lot to explore in this store.

Aside from perusing the store, you can also consider purchasing your choice of vintage items online if it’s not available on the week you visit.

Taste Handcrafted Wines at the Clear Creek Vineyard and Winery

Are you a fan of wine?

Then the Clear Creek Vineyard and Winery is a must-see stop for you.

Featuring vast fields and a selection of flavorful wines to try, you can spend your Fridays or weekends testing out everything this winery has to offer.

More than the wide range of brews you get to try, you can also have a stroll through the fields and learn more about how the winery does things. To add to this, the winery also offers other options you can book, such as their cheese platter.

Stroll Through History at Fort Verde State Historic Park

View of Fort Verde State Historic Park

Alan Levine from Strawberry, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To further explore the historical side of Camp Verde, visit the Fort Verde State Historic Park.

Once an army base during the Central Arizona Indian Wars, the park currently holds four preserved buildings that display life during the frontier period.

Signage of Fort Verde State Historic Park

The Courage to Travel / Shutterstock.com

The park is open every day and features different facilities and attractions to explore.

Aside from the different attractions, you can also check out artifacts and further information on the events that occurred in the past.

You can also relax over at the park’s picnic area or go shopping at the store.

Buildings at Fort Verde State Historic Park

Roger C. Wolf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Book a Ride With Wild Western Horseback Adventures L.L.C

Have you ever wanted to try horseback riding?

You can do just that by booking with the Wild Western Horseback Adventures L.L.C.

There is plenty to experience if you choose to book a tour with the camp.

No matter your level of experience, you’ll be sure to have a memorable tour with the camp guides.

More than the gorgeous views you can see when riding with the guides, you can also experience a relaxing moment at their petting zoo.

You can do two types of tours by yourself or with your friends and family.

Whatever type you choose, you’ll get to see the best views of the valley.

Try Local Craft Beer at the Verde Brewing Company

Aside from a selection of wineries you can visit for different concoctions, Camp Verde also offers a selection of unique beers for you to try.

The best place to get a good drink while visiting Camp Verde is the Verde Brewing Company.

Featuring a selection of beers and other drinks for visitors to try, the brewery offers great drinks and delicious meals.

Some of the meals you can enjoy at the brewery include nachos, sandwiches, and other chips.

Explore Some Wildlife at Fossil Creek Wilderness

Waterfall at Fossil Creek Wilderness

Tom Tietz / Shutterstock.com

If you want to see all of the natural sights available in Camp Verde, Fossil Creek Wilderness is a must-see stop.

Fossil Creek Wilderness features over eleven thousand acres and a wide range of wildlife to explore.

With various greenery and different kinds of birds, the park has plenty to offer for any visitor.

In addition to the various fauna and animals you can spot, the park also features different hiking trails for you to explore.

When taking any of the trails, you have the chance to come across different bodies of water and other beautiful scenery.

Go Ziplining at Predator Zip Lines

Get a unique view of the Out of Africa Wildlife Park by taking a trip with the Predator Zip Lines.

The Predator Zip Lines does not require an admission fee and offers different tours for varying prices.

While there are different requirements and rules for safety measures, you’ll be sure to have a fun experience zipping through a vast land and a unique view.

Among the different types of tours you can choose to take, there is the option to zip line during the evening and a zipline trip that offers local wine samples at the end.

Try Your Shooting Skills at the Copper Star Indoor Shooting Range

If exploring sights are not your thing, try doing something new by visiting the Copper Star Indoor Shooting Range.

The Copper Star Indoor Shooting Range is a shooting range that caters to both firearms and bows with various services for you to try.

Whether you’re familiar with shooting or not, the range has plenty of options to help you out.

If you are interested in either classes or competitions, you can sign up on their website.

You can come to the shooting range any day, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Test Your Luck at Cliff Castle Casino

Exterior of Cliff Castle Casino

Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock.com

For anyone who is looking to have some fun, make a stop at the Cliff Castle Casino.

Holding twenty years and a number one title under its belt, the casino has plenty of games for you to try your luck.

More than casino games, the Cliff Castle Casino also offers other facilities for families to enjoy.

Building sign of Cliff Castle Casino

Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock.com

From bowling lanes to live entertainment, there is plenty of options you can enjoy at this casino.

If you want to explore all the games and entertainment the casino provides, there is a hotel available for booking, and it’s right where the casino is.

Catch a Show at the Stargazer Pavilion

If you’re interested in watching a concert, check out any shows available at the Stargazer Pavilion.

Located near the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, the theater is known for hosting a variety of acts.

What makes the theater so different is that it is an open-air type of theater.

So not only can you enjoy a show but also a beautiful view of the sky.

With over 4,000 square feet, and conveniently located to other facilities for entertainment, the event center is a great stop for some fun.

Currently, you can find any updates and news regarding the venue on the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel website.

Do Some Vintage Wine Tasting at Salt Mine Wine

To further explore the Camp Verde wine scene, head over to the Salt Mine Wine boutique winery.

Compared to other wineries in the area, Salt Mine Wine lies on a historical spot and features more Italian variants of wine.

While the winery is only eight years old, they provide a selection of vintage wines you can sample while admiring a beautiful view of agricultural sights ranging from groves to farms.

The boutique winery opens on weekends and offers online purchases for anyone interested.

Take a Photo of the World’s Largest Kokopelli

Daytime view of the World's Largest Kokopelli

Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every town has its fair share of tourist attractions, and Camp Verde is no different.

If you’re interested in what feature makes Camp Verde unique, it would be the World’s Largest Kokopelli.

The World’s Largest Kokopelli is a sign that stands over 30 feet in height and represents a Native god.

Close view of the World's Largest Kokopelli

Alan Levine from Strawberry, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The said god is the Navajo Indian God of Wealth and Fertility, and the sign still stands strong since its establishment twenty years ago.

While it is an impressive structure to behold, it is also a great place to take photos.

Signage of the World's Largest Kokopelli

Rebekah Zemansky / Shutterstock.com

Enjoy Fresh Local Produce at Hauser & Hauser Farms

Anyone into fresh produce or interested in local agriculture needs to visit the Hauser & Hauser Farms.

With a decades-long operation and located on a historical location, Hauser & Hauser Farms features a variety of produce, depending on the season, and allows visitors to witness the general work process.

In addition to learning the farm’s production and seeing all the equipment involved, you can take home a few products from the fields.

More than exploring everything the farm has to offer, you can also check out their different events.

Grab a Souvenir at Laid Back Jewelry & Trading Post

If vintage items are not your taste in souvenirs, try the Laid Back Jewelry & Trading Post.

You can find this post within the Camp Verde Stage Stop and find a variety of jewelry and other trinkets, such as rugs and coins.

The shop opens at 10 a.m., except on Sundays, and features a watch and jewelry repair section.

Book an Overnight Stay at Verde Ranch RV Resort

Verde Ranch RV Resort is revolutionizing what it takes to be a campground by offering big-rig-friendly RV accommodations.

They are easily accessible from the freeway and close to many fantastic neighborhood establishments.

The Verde Ranch RV Resort offers 16 luxuriously equipped vacation cottages for non-RVers and 389 full hookup sites with 50 AMP service.

Stay in one of their luxury tents to experience glamping at its finest.

With their fast internet connectivity, you can work from any place, unwind by the pool, watch the kids enjoy the splash pad, or allow the dogs to run about in the large dog park.

Discover everything that Arizona has to offer by utilizing its river access, hiking the local trails, or indulging in river kayaking.

Pamper Your Furry Friends at Canine Resort & Spa

The most well-known family-run canine resort and spa in Northern Arizona is Canine Resort & Spa.

Shawn Tucker, a resident of Phoenix, created the Hillside Canine enterprise.

Your canine friends are Hillside Canine’s first priority.

As the “home far away from home” for your cherished canine family members, Hillside is known for its experience, kindness, and knowledge, embodied by its committed staff.

They can take care of your dog’s grooming needs, from high-end styling and de-matting to deluxe spa services.

Schedule your dog a complete spa treatment, the most regularly requested service the resort and spa offers.

Stock Up on Nutritious Food from Verde Valley Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, the Verde Valley Farmer’s Market takes place in the center of Camp Verde.

Fresh seasonal vegetables harvested within a 50-mile radius of Camp Verde are available at The Market.

You may catch up with old acquaintances, purchase locally grown, fresh fruits and veggies, and converse with other farmers to exchange business insights.

The greatest locally grown food, including the tastiest beef, eggs, tomatoes, nuts, honey, bread, flowers, and more, are available onsite.

Weekly live music performances and seasonal activities are held at the community market.

Spend Some Time Alone and Unwind at Verde Massage

Verde Massage, nestled in the heart of Camp Verde, Arizona’s historic downtown, is the perfect place to unwind for the day.

Their goal is to offer cutting-edge, distinctive, and excellent bodywork.

They have the skills and expertise to address your individual requirements, whether you’re trying to relax, ease pain, or get your body ready for athletic activity.

Try out one of their traditional therapies, such as Swedish, Prenatal, Sports, Reflexology, or Deep Tissue massage.

In addition, they provide advanced treatments such as Fascial Release, Shiatsu, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and others.

Prepare for a Grand Celebration with the Help of Babes Round Up

For more than 34 years, Babes Round Up has brought the best barbecue to private gatherings and professional events throughout Northern Arizona and the Southwest.

They take great satisfaction in bringing their particular brand of slow-cooked barbecue to your party, special occasion, or at their own private event space.

Up to 200 individuals can sit in the spacious outdoor RAMADA’s beautiful surroundings.

The meals have been prepared to meet your style, event, and personal preference, and their culinary techniques span from the country to conventional or formal.

Since 1982, Babes Round Up has delivered the best celebrations for almost 2 million contented, joyful customers!

Other Things to Do Nearby

Pay a Visit to the Montezuma Well

Daytime view of Montezuma Well

Dennis Swena / Shutterstock.com

When visiting the Montezuma Castle National Monument, the Montezuma Well is a must-see sight.

It can take up to twenty minutes to travel from the monument to the lake by taking a North route.

The lake is a photo-worthy sight with a variety of trails for you to explore the perimeter.

Waters of Montezuma Well

Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

More than the beautiful view, the lake also hosts plenty of wildlife you can seek out.

From birds to tiny critters, there is a variety of species that settle in this lake area.

If you are a fan of birds, there are a variety of species you can view in the area depending on the month you decide to visit.

High angle view of Montezuma Well

Traveller70 / Shutterstock.com

Grab a Kayak and Sail the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area

To see some of the nature views that Camp Verde has, head to the Verde River Greenway.

Verde River Greenway offers plenty of facilities for visitors, and one of them is kayaking or boating.

You can test your paddling skill against the different river routes, or you can choose to do other activities.

Aside from paddling, swimming, or fishing in the river, the location also provides plenty of wildlife to view, ranging from mammals to birds.

If you are interested in exploring everything the river spot has to offer, you can book a stay at the campsite or cabins at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which is minutes away from the river.

Final Thoughts

If there is any town to visit while in Arizona for a memorable trip, Camp Verde is a must-see stop.

With attractions ranging from historical spots to ranches with various facilities, Camp Verde has plenty for visitors to explore.

Camp Verde is a town that offers a wide range of options for various visitors, whether you’re an adventure seeker or want to explore local delights.

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