The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Verde Valley, Verde Valley

February 11, 2022 Frederic Celentano

Discover the best top things to do in Verde Valley, United States including Cathedral Rock, Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179), Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park, Broken Arrow Trail, Arizona Copper Art Museum, Douglas Mansion, Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park, Devil's Bridge Trail.
Restaurants in Verde Valley

1. Cathedral Rock

Yavapai County, Sedona, AZ 86351 +1 928-203-7500 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55264
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,917 reviews

Cathedral Rock

Towering red rock formation, part of the Cathedral Rock Trail.

Reviewed By Cristine4412 - Pittsburgh, United States

It's a relatively easy hike to the base of Cathedral Rock, and from there you can choose the more challenging hike up the rock, or take the flat Templeton trail around the base.

2. Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179)

8375 Az-179 Red Rock Visitor Center and Ranger Station, Sedona, AZ 86351 +1 928-203-2900 http://redrockscenicbyway.com
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,151 reviews

Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179)

The Red Rock Scenic Byway is your Gateway to the world-famous Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona … just 110 miles north of Phoenix, about 40 miles south of Flagstaff, and only a few hours south of the Grand Canyon.

Reviewed By kathyfI6813BE - Big Water, United States

Beautiful drive in the red rocks..we stopped several times to take photos and do a bit of browsing at several arts and craft shows.

3. Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park

2650 Pueblo Drive, Sedona, AZ 86339 +1 877-788-7229 [email protected] http://www.tara.org/visit-us/amitabha-stupa/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 748 reviews

Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park

Sedona's Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers the world over. The Buddhist Amitabha Stupa is an outdoor venue for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal for people of all faiths. In the park you will find two Buddhist stupas, a Native American medicine wheel, an exquisite wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and numerous quiet spots for meditation and quiet contemplation. You will experience peace in a quiet, sacred setting. The Amitabha Stupa is open every day and your visit is free of charge. The stupa is supported totally by visitor donations. The Amitabha Stupa is on private property and is owned by Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Vajryanna Buddhist Temple in Poolesville MD. Use of the property by tour guides and other business or commercial entities requires permission.

Reviewed By wreckthismess - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I believe one should experience adventure, struggle & exertion when visiting sacred spots, allowing the self to interact with its surroundings, & give up ego in exchange for peace. If you’re bussed in, conveniently dropped off at the site it’s like passing thru a fast food drive-thru & you’ll have to overcome the convenience of your entitlement to catch up to the rest of us on a natural high who arrived via the hiking trails. The Amitabha Stupa is nestled in the shadow of Thunder Mountain in the Red Rocks, amongst a network of hiking trails just above Sedona. Once at this dry parcel you’ll see a magnificent wooden Buddha perched on a ledge among the junipers, the large Stupa, a sacred structure that’s said to contain millions of wishes, sacred relics, mandalas, & prayers. Even if you don’t believe that, merely imagining it gets you halfway there. Meditate, add silence, slow down, regenerate. Many do just that, finding a welcome respite from perpetual chattering & daily data overload. Visitors offer acknowledging glances broad smiles & that’s a start. Spin colorful prayer wheels clockwise & pray for a better future, a world free of perpetual war. Even if you don’t go in for this, the mere spinning of the wheels will link you to something outside yourself. I was told by a local, self-described “old hippie” who assisted on the site’s construction in 2004 that the site is deemed holy by local native peoples & the Hopi who’ve constructed a medicine wheel of stones here.

4. Broken Arrow Trail

Morgan Road, Sedona, AZ +1 928-527-3600 http://www.sedonahikingtrails.com/broken-arrow-trail.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,400 reviews

Broken Arrow Trail

Reviewed By geridicola - Chicago, United States

We took the Broken Arrow trail to the High on the Hog, Hog Heaven to Hog Wash back to Broken Arrow it was about a four mile Hike that was absolutely amazing. bring water and a snack so you can stop and soak it all in.

5. Arizona Copper Art Museum

849 Main St, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 +1 928-649-1858 [email protected] http://www.copperartmuseum.com
Excellent
92%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 494 reviews

Arizona Copper Art Museum

--Winner of the Arizona Tourism Award!-- The Copper Art Museum is one of the most interesting in the USA, purposely located in the former copper town of Clarkdale - a USA City Beautiful Movement town founded in 1912. Clarkdale was built by Senator W. A. Clark "America's Copper King." The collection on display is massive with over 5000 artifacts and hundreds dating to the 1500-1800's, Galleries; Special Historical Information, Military Art, Art and Architecture, Kitchen Collection, Drinking Collection and Winery and Distillery Collection. You will be amazed by this museum!

Reviewed By tbone4 - Scottsdale, United States

An education around every corner. This museum is immaculately maintained and has wonderful self guided signs throughout. The feeling is cool, quiet and peaceful. They have worked hard to create this space. Plan on spending a couple of hours if you want to stroll through....longer if you want to read every sign. Every question you might have about copper and this museum is answered somewhere within these walls. Loved it! There's few places to eat while in Clarkdale. However we took a stroll around this cute little town. We went back to historic Cottonwood for lunch. There's a lot of places to stop there.

6. Douglas Mansion

Route 89A, Jerome, Jerome, AZ +1 520-634-5381 http://azstateparks.com/Parks/JERO/index.html
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 233 reviews

Douglas Mansion

This former home of a mining baron became a state park and a museum in 1965.

Reviewed By AZJoeW - Sun City, United States

The Douglas Mansion is the main feature of the Jerome State Historic Park. This is well worth the stop. It is a self-guided tour of the mansion and there is a 30-minute film about the history of Jerome, AZ. The views are also spectacular looking north towards Sedona. Unlike the rest of Jerome, parking here is easy.

7. Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum

200 Main St, Jerome, AZ 8631 +1 928-634-1066 [email protected] http://azstateparks.com/Parks/JERO
Excellent
41%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 224 reviews

Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum

Houses a collection of minerals and provides information about Jerome's mining past.

Reviewed By prescottmtngal - Prescott, United States

Went with friends. Add this to your day you will enjoy it. Very Friendly staff and nice gift shop with lots of copper items. Lots of local items to view.

8. Oak Creek Canyon

Route 89A, Sedona, AZ 83149 +1 928-282-4119 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/oak-creek-scenic.shtml
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,381 reviews

Oak Creek Canyon

Breathtaking in its red rock beauty, the Canyon is a spectacular 16-mile gorge with streams and waterfalls between sheer rock walls.

Reviewed By 51gloriab - Advance, United States

We hiked the West Fork trail and enjoyed the lush area with a well-defined trail for several miles. Our necks were stretched upward as we noted what we saw in the sandstone rock structures formed by wind over the centuries. At the start of the hike, it was a treat to learn about Mayhew Lodge that once was a retreat for politicians and movie stars. We saw squirrels, salamanders, butterflies, and hawks as they thrive in the riparian community.

9. Slide Rock State Park

6871 N. Highway 89A Parking may be reduced. Limited day use will be allowed., Sedona, AZ 86336 +1 928-282-3034 http://azstateparks.com/slide-rock/
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,337 reviews

Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park, originally the Pendley Homestead, is a 43-acre historic apple farm located in Oak Creek Canyon. Frank L. Pendley, having arrived in the canyon in 1907, formally acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910. Due to his pioneering innovation, he succeeded where others failed by establishing a unique irrigation system still in use by the park today. This allowed Pendley to plant his first apple orchard in 1912, beginning the pattern of agricultural development that has dominated the site since that time. Pendley also grew garden produce and kept some livestock. As one of the few homesteads left intact in the canyon today, Slide Rock State Park is a fine example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. The site was also instrumental to the development of the tourism industry in Oak Creek Canyon. The completion of the canyon road in 1914 and the paving of the roadway in 1938 were strong influences in encouraging recreational use of the canyon. Hence, Pendley followed suit and in 1933, built rustic cabins to cater to vacationers and sightseers. Todays visitors can still enjoy the fruits of Pendley's labor. Historic cabins are available for viewing, and the creek offers the park's namesake slide for adventures seekers and those looking for a place to cool off.

Reviewed By SinAguayo - San Bernardino, United States

$20 for parking and that is the only fee you are going to have to pay. About 15 minutes from Sedona, the scenic view to slide rock it's a treat of it's own. Pay attention though because it is a one way highway with plenty of hikers. Depending on what time you get there, you may have to wait due to the parking lot being full. We had to wait approximately 45 minutes. And there is no phone service. So... get to talking with your family or friends. The park has a small shop with all the necessities, for example: you can buy water shoes ($15), snacks, food, umbrellas, souvenirs, shirts, ice cream, and much more. They have lockers which you can rent in order to safeguard items you don't want to take with you. All we took was two backpacks with snacks and towels. The actual walk to the creek is about 15 minutes. Enjoy the walk because it has great view. The massive red rock in the distance is breathtaking. You will go down some steps that will lead you to the creek. Once at the bottom you can pick a spot to settle. BE AWARE. The rocks in the water are very very slippery. The water is cold..but once you acclimate, you will be fine. Peaceful, and enjoyable. Not very packed. Plenty of room of everyone. I highly recommend it. Follow me and my adventures fb: Sin Aguayo ig:@SinAguayo

10. Devil's Bridge Trail

Sedona, AZ 86336 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=55292&actid=50
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,524 reviews

Devil's Bridge Trail

Reviewed By DistrictBrit - Washington DC, United States

The hike to Devil’s Bridge isn’t too strenuous, it’s roughly five-miles round-trip along a dirt road that leads into a more robust trail, with parts that require a bit of rock climbing up steep sections of the mountain. The higher you get the more narrow and rocky the hike becomes, it’s a 400 ft or so elevation climb in all but there are plenty of places to stop and take a break, or viewing areas to soak in the view should you not make it to the top. But if you make it to the top it’s awe-inspiring, and the opportunity to risk your life walking across the bridge for a photo is right there. Devil’s Bridge itself is a bridge to nowhere, it’s about a 50 feet drop should you fall, so don’t do that. At it’s narrowest it’s about five feet but if you’re good with heights then you’ll be fine.

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