The Verde Valley stretches from Mingus Mountain – just east of Prescott Valley – to the Mogollon Rim, south of Flagstaff. The Verde Valley’s 1,200 square miles encompass the towns and cities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Camp Verde, Sedona, Cornville, the Village of Oak Creek, Lake Montezuma, Rimrock and the Verde Villages, a large unincorporated community.
Elevations in the Verde Valley range from approximately 3,000 feet in historic Camp Verde, to more than 5,000 feet in the former mining town and now thriving artist community of Jerome. Although the geography is described as “high desert,” newcomers are surprised to encounter mountains, beautiful wildflowers, and forests of cedars and junipers as well as creeks and rivers.
Verde Valley residents enjoy a casual lifestyle with a rural feel complimented by a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, golfing and kayaking. The area has become a regional destination for its growing wine industry, now home to several vineyards along its waterways and tasting rooms in each of the communities.
Verde Valley lies 100 miles north of Phoenix’s shopping, performing arts and sports centers, and 60 miles south of Flagstaff.
Climate
The Verde Valley and its cities are part of the Central Arizona climate region. Cottonwood and Sedona offer milder temperatures in comparison to the heat Phoenix brings in summers and colder temperatures of Flagstaff winters. It is possible to see snow in all three cities but most accumulation occurs in Sedona.
Don’t forget – your choice of winter play at Snowbowl is only one and half hour from Cottonwood and one hour from Sedona.
Education
Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University as well as Coconino Community College.
The Verde Valley is home to Yavapai College’s Verde Valley Campus, known across the state for its viticulture program, and is less than 60 miles south of Northern Arizona University.
The area offers many elementary and secondary education options through the local school districts, including Sedona-Oak Creek School District, Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District, Clarkdale-Jerome School District and Camp Verde School District, as well as faith-based and charter school options.
Additional resources
For more details about life in the Verde Valley, please visit:
Did you know?
The Verde River is one of Arizona's last free-flowing river systems. It provides crucial habitat for fish and wildlife, fresh water for local agricultural production, recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike, and brings clean drinking water to more than two million people in the greater Phoenix area.
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