Tuzigoot National Monument – Cottonwood, Arizona Passed along a self-guided ATV tour with us at Vortex ATV Rental, Tuzigoot National Monument contains the largest Sinaguan habitation site in the Verde Valley of Arizona. Located one-hundred twenty feet above the floodplain of the Verde River, Tuzigoot became inhabited between 1125 A.D. and 1400 A.D. In the heart of the valley, a thousand years ago, people began to build a little hilltop pueblo that would grow into one of the largest villages in the area. Tuzigoot is located along the Verde River between Cottonwood and Clarkdale and was home to the Sinagua people in the 12th century. Tuzigoot is an Apache word that means “crooked water” and also aptly describes the zigzag appearance of what’s left of the structure’s walls. Tuzigoot’s walls are made primarily of sandstone, the area’s most readily available rock type.  Within this monument is a self-guided, 1/3 mile loop trail leading you around and through the Tuzigoot pueblo, a 110-room village built around a thousand years ago. The pueblo trail also offers outstanding views of the Verde River and Tavasci Marsh. Add on another 1/2-mile trail (1-mile round trip), taking you to an overlook of Tavasci Marsh. If you’re in the mood to fully understand the area’s indigenous cultures, consider visiting other nearby attractions, including the Verde Valley Archaeology Center. While exploring Tuzigoot National Monument, you’ll feel you’re traveling back in time. Despite the small size of the monument, it’s one of the largest and best-preserved archeological sites in the southwest. This is a must-see destination when visiting Sedona, Jerome, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, or Clarkdale, especially for history buffs and people wanting to learn more about the Verde Valley. Tuzigoot National Monument is a unique piece of history that is well worth the visit, even if that means driving by it on an ATV rental with us at Vortex ATV Rental. The stone ruins here and the visitor experience is very different from the cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle and Well. Tuzigoot National Monument is north of Cottonwood and Sedona, located at 25 Tuzigoot Rd. Clarkdale, AZ 83624. You can find more information about this monument HERE. Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to Tuzigoot National Monument

Red Rock State Park – Sedona, Arizona If you’re spending multiple days in Sedona and want to do something other than renting an ATV with us at Vortex ATV Rental, stop by this beautiful Arizona State Park. Red Rock State Park is popular when visiting Cottonwood, Sedona, Jerome, Camp Verde, or the Verde Valley. This nature preserve features a visitor center, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, wildlife and plant viewing, and offers events frequently. Red Rock State park invites visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Sedona red rocks and learn about the history of how Sedona came to be today. In addition, Red Rock State Park serves as an environmental education facility for the public, schools, and private groups. Through endless years of new property ownership since the early 1900s, the official opening of the 286-acre Red Rock State Park took place on October 19, 1991. The overall purpose of opening this day-use Arizona State Park was to preserve the riparian habitat along Oak Creek and keep a beautiful section of Sedona uninterrupted. When visiting this red rock beauty, look for herons, wild turkeys, hummingbirds, quails, and roadrunners. In addition to birds, javelina, coyotes, desert turtles, frogs, and beavers can be found in this scenic red rock park. Red Rock State Park offers five miles of interconnecting hiking trails, perfect for families looking for a scenic stroll through red-rock country. These well-maintained, moderate-easy hiking trails offer breathtaking panoramic views of red rock spires, buttes, mountains and structures, and Cathedral Rock. Hikers can combine Eagles’ Nest Loop, Apache Fire Loop, and/or Coyote Ridge Trail for a hike that best fits your crew. Red Rock State Park also offers a variety of events throughout the year. Some more popular events include the guided walk with a naturalist every morning the park is open, guided full moon hikes, and bird walks. These guided experiences give anyone who participates a first-hand look at the park from experienced rangers and volunteers, experts with the history, wildlife, and geography of Sedona and the greater Verde Valley. If you plan to visit the Verde Valley, you should stop by Red Rock State Park. This is a different way to enjoy the red rocks of Sedona besides off-roading with us at Vortex ATV Rental. This park is located at 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. Please stop by or check out their WEBSITE to find more information about Red Rock State Park and the greater Sedona area. Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to Red Rock State Park

Out of Africa – Camp Verde, Arizona Out of Africa Wildlife Park is a zoo and wildlife park in the Verde Valley, near Sedona, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde. This park, a local favorite, opened in 2005 and is home to hundreds of exotic mammals, birds, and reptiles worldwide. You can see a few of the park’s vast species(Not all are listed): tigers, lions, bears, giraffes, zebras, sable antelope, gemsbok, wolves, sloths, rhinoceroses, camels, snakes, lizards, monkeys, other reptiles, and a variety of bird species. Out of Africa is not your traditional zoo, as there are various ways to view and experience these animals. Out of Africa is where family and friends gather to experience oneness with animals and each other during safaris, tours, walks, observations, and shows of wild-by-nature animals in their way. Aside from the actual animals, Out of Africa offers a variety of exciting activities for visitors. There’s a wide variety of ways to make the most of your experience at Out of Africa. Some methods include viewing tigers and bears in their habitat and putting on shows for the public, experiencing predators eating their meals, interacting with the friendly species, holding a giant snake, ziplining over the inhabitants, going on a safari bus tour, or visiting their gift shop.  The mission of Out of Africa Wildlife Park is to create the ultimate animal adventure for all ages, one steeped in fun, immersed in learning, and inspired by a living and colorful world of astonishing wildlife. Since the owners, Dean and Prayeri Harrison, had a vision in 1988; they have since grown to establish this 104-acre property with a one-of-a-kind experience to last a lifetime. Dean and Prayeri have done a great job growing and supporting the Verde Valley community. Out of Africa has some of the most professional and friendly staff to ensure you get the most out of your experience while visiting Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and the Verde Valley.  Whether you are looking to spend just a couple of hours after off-roading near Sedona or want to spend an entire day here, Out of Africa has the convenience of working around your schedule with various time slots and activities. Out of Africa is located at 3505 W. Camp Verde Bridgeport Highway, Camp Verde, Arizona. Contact them directly for more information about Out of Africa or visit HERE. Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to Out of Africa

Verde Valley Wine Trail – Cottonwood, Jerome, Page Springs, Sedona, Oak Creek, and Camp Verde Besides off-roading with us at Vortex ATV Rental, the Verde Valley is also proudly an American Viticulture Area (AVA). With the Verde Valley’s combination of a dry, arid climate, along with drastic temperature changes like warm days and cool nights, is similar to some of the best wine-producing regions of the world. A great way to get acquainted with Arizona wine country, which throughout the whole state approaches 100 wineries, is to take a trip along the Verde Valley Wine Trail.  This region is home to several award-winning wineries and dozens of tasting rooms. You can find these wineries and tasting rooms anywhere from Jerome, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Page Springs, Cornville, and Sedona. The Arizona Verde Valley Wine Trail features over 26 wineries and vineyards that all offer something unique to each spot. From small boutique wineries to large, famously expensive names in the wine industry, there is a variety of wines for everyone. Owners of vineyards in the Verde Valley AVA have planted more than 40 grape varieties, including the white grape varieties Malvasia Bianca, Viognier, Chardonnay, Vermentino, Seyval Blanc, and Picpoul Blanc. Red grape varieties include Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Tannat, and Barbera. Every winery has unique personalities and distinct wines for visitors to discover at each stop along the Wine Trail. Whether you want to participate in a wine tasting or sip a glass of wine, walk through the vineyards themselves, participate in a complete wine tour/crawl(as some call it), or buy a bottle and bring it to either Oak Creek or the Verde River, most wineries on the Verde Valley Wine Trail can offer at least one of these things. The Verde Valley Wine Trail offers a map of all the participating vineyards in the area. It gives you access to a “Passport” to get stamped for each of the wine spots you visit. With a convenient map and Passport, you can keep track of what places you’ve visited and can keep track of your favorites. As a bonus, if you visit ten stops along the Verde Valley Wine Trail and get your Passport stamped, mail it back, or upload it, you can even win prizes and awards quarterly. After a long day on an ATV rental with us at Vortex ATV Rental near Sedona and Cottonwood, you can relax and enjoy a refreshing Arizona glass of wine. For more information on the Verde Valley Wine Tour, wineries to visit, and history on the wine history, stop by any of the participating wineries or visit their website and contact them for more information at https://vvwinetrail.com/. Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to the Verde Valley Wine Trail

Slide Rock State Park – Oak Creek Canyon of Sedona, Arizona Whether you decide to do it before or after an off-road rental with Vortex ATV Rental, Slide Rock State Park, an area of Oak Creek Canyon, is 43 acres of the homestead and is known as one of the most notable and famous tourist locations in the State. This area is so scenic that Life Magazine has listed this park as one of America’s most beautiful swimming holes. If you’re visiting Sedona, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Camp Verde, Jerome, or anywhere else in the Verde Valley, you don’t want to miss this attraction. Frank L. Pendley arrived in the canyon in 1907, formally acquiring this 43-acre land under the Homestead Act in 1910. Frank Pendley planted his first apple orchard in 1912, growing to over 100 orchards today. On July 10, 1985, Arizona State Parks purchased the park property from the Arizona Parklands Foundation. The park was dedicated in October 1987 and accepted onto the National Register of Historic Places on December 23, 1991. Today you can find several well-preserved wooden buildings, pieces of old farming equipment, an original apple orchard, and a famous irrigation system used to water the trees. Slide Rock State Park offers various activities, making it a popular destination. The main attraction is the actual Slide Rock. Slide Rock, a section of Oak Creek, is an 80-foot long slide and 2.5 to 4 feet wide, with a slight decline from top to bottom, making it a great “slide.” The swimming area is nearly half a mile long though most of the attention and crowd focuses on the natural water slide. Besides the actual slide on Oak Creek, there are also a variety of things like wildlife viewing, history exhibits, hiking trails, picnic tables with shade, and even a merchant market. Some of the wildlife includes over 140 varieties of birds, whitetail deer, javelina, and even coyotes. In addition to the wildlife, the history exhibits within Slide Rock State Park are within the Pendley homestead. Stopping by this exhibit can help you fully appreciate this land’s gorgeous area and 100+ years of history. The three hiking trails in Slide Rock State Park include Pendley Homestead Trail, Slide Rock Trail, and Clifftop Nature Trail. These all offer breathtaking views of Sedona’s famous red rocks into Oak Creek Canyon. Fishing enthusiasts can catch wild brown and stocked rainbow trout upstream from the park. Though there is no finishing inside the park itself, the West Fork confluence and Slide Rock State Park offer the best area fishing for both species. Slide Rock is within the Coconino National Forest and borders the Secret Mountain Wilderness Area. This place is worth the visit, just 7 miles upstream on Oak Creek from uptown Sedona and a few more miles from a rental with Vortex ATV. Bring a towel, some shade, hiking shoes, snacks, and drinks for all, and kick back to enjoy the sounds of good times in this natural northern Arizona playground. Reservations are required to enter, but for more information on reservations and the Slide Rock State Park itself, contact the park directly or check out their website HERE.  Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to Slide Rock State Park

Arizona Copper Art Museum – Clarkdale, Arizona When you visit the Arizona Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale, Arizona, you will discover a treasure trove of American and international copper artwork. The museum’s emphasis is on Western European and American works. It will allow you to discover that at one point, Clarkdale and Jerome had the most significant copper production mine west of the Mississippi. You can see the aftermath of the main smelter factory on a self-guided ATV tour with us at Vortex ATV Rental. This museum was founded and grown by the Meinkes family in 1958. Through family history and generations of collecting copper artifacts, the Meinkes have established this to be one of the most famous copper museums in the USA.  A visit to this museum in Clarkdale, Arizona, will allow you to discover the rich history of copper. The museum’s collection is home to a massive and incomparable collection of over 5000 works of copper art and architecture of Western European and Northern American emphasis from 3500 B.C. to the present day. For example, you’ll find over 500 pieces of WWI brass artillery shell casings, more than 500 pieces of Trench Art(hand-tooled objects of soldiers during various military conflicts), and even copper used within the distilling process. You can find the museum in a historic former Clarkdale High School building built in the Spanish colonial style in 1927. The Meinke family transformed this old school building into the museum that still stands today. The building was used for school until 1960 and sat vacant until 2002, when the museum undertook significant renovations to make the building ready for a permanent home. When you visit Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome, Camp Verde, or anywhere else in Verde Valley, enjoy this place before or after an ATV rental with us at Vortex ATV Rental. The Arizona Copper Art Museum’s address is  849 Main St, Clarkdale, Arizona. For additional information, please stop by or check their website and contact them for more information about visiting the museum.  Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to the Arizona Copper Art Museum

Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monument – Camp Verde, Arizona If you’re visiting beautiful Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, or Jerome and want to do more than off-road near Sedona, visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument and Montezuma Well. This National Monument is home to a set of well-preserved dwellings from the Sinagua people. The Sinagua were the group of people who lived in the dwellings at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot. Although people were living in the area much earlier, the Sinagua began building permanent living structures, the dwellings you see at the monument, around 1050 C.E. This site, established as a National Monument on December 8, 1906, is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20-room high-rise apartment is nestled into a towering limestone cliff and tells a story of ingenuity, survival, and, ultimately, prosperity in this desert landscape. Early visitors to the monument were allowed access to the structure by climbing a series of ladders up the side of the limestone cliffs. However, due to extensive damage to this valuable landmark, public access to the castle was discontinued in 1951. Though you cannot go directly into the castle anymore, you can still visit this monument and view the castle from the paved path. Taking a step back in history, the earliest houses Sinagua built were called pithouses. These houses are made by digging partially into the ground, inserting log posts, and covering the structure with plant material. You can see the remains of one pithouse at Montezuma Well, a neighboring landmark to Montezuma Castle. The Montezuma Well is another unique landmark of Montezuma Castle. This well is a 55-foot-deep limestone sinkhole created by the collapse of a large underground cavern. At this crater-looking monument, it’s believed that water used from the well was used to irrigate the area. The site’s water source provides irrigation to nearby fields, and the ruins of the pithouse are still visible at this site. Nature and history are present all around this vibrant area. There are endless trees, cacti, shrubs, and other vegetation, which are home to about 200 species of birds. Among these bird species are woodpeckers, owls, hawks, falcons, and even bald eagles. Besides birds, the area also has a wide variety of animals, including wild horses, pigs, coyotes, and mule deer that roam the region sporadically.  Whether you are a history fanatic or looking to do something different for the family besides off-roading near Sedona, both landmarks are well worth the stop in the Verde Valley. Arizona Montezuma Castle has an address of Montezuma Castle Rd, Camp Verde, Arizona. Montezuma Well has an address of Forest Service Road 618, Rimrock, Arizona. If you want to learn more about either landmark, stop by or visit the website for more information HERE.   Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to Montezuma Castle National Monument

World’s Largest Kokopelli – Camp Verde, Arizona Before renting an ATV with Vortex ATV Rental, check out the World’s Largest Kokopelli in Camp Verde, Arizona. What is the World’s Largest Kokopelli? This 32-foot-tall sign of the Native American Navajo Indian God of Wealth and Fertility stands in front of the former Krazy Kokopelli Trading Post, which has been converted to a Starbucks. Navajo tribe members claim that when Kokopelli plays his flute, it helps with the transition of seasons. In addition to fertility and agriculture, Kokopelli, the flute player, is known to be a trickster, healer, and storyteller.  Kokopelli, the hump-back flute player known to play and dance with feathers on his head, is a symbol seen all over the southwest. Evidence from many canyon walls and ancient pottery indicate that he was a famous symbol to many Indian tribes. Kokopelli can trace back at least the era of the Hohokam, Yuman, and Ancestral Puebloan peoples. The first known images of him appear on Hohokam pottery dated between 750 A.D. and 850 A.D.  Kokopelli is now often associated with the southwest at large and is loosely considered a regional mascot and an unofficial symbol for the state of Arizona. Walk into any gift shop in the state. You will find images on t-shirts, stickers, coffee mugs, art, and much more representing Kokopelli. This World’s Largest Kokopelli statue is convenient to see while driving into Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, or Flagstaff. This giant landmark is handmade and made with steel reinforcements. Visitors seek out Kokopelli to pay tribute and take pictures of this statue. You can find Kokopelli in gift shops in old town Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, Jerome, or Montezuma Castle National Monument. When you’re looking for gift ideas for friends and family to remember Arizona, keep your eye out for the Kokopelli symbol. The World’s Largest Kokopelli address is 1620 AZ-260, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. Before or after renting an ATV with Vortex ATV Rental, you should visit the landmark to pay tribute to the Navajo Indian God of Wealth and Fertility. Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to the World’s Largest Kokopelli

Audrey Headframe Park – Jerome, Arizona If you’re visiting Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, or anywhere else in the Verde Valley, you should stop in Jerome, Arizona. If you visit Jerome, you shouldn’t miss Audrey Headframe Park, a beautiful museum outside downtown Jerome. At the Headframe park, visitors can stand on the glass above a 1,900-foot mine shaft and look into the mining site that used to be one of the most significant copper operations in the early 1900s. Constructed in 1918, this site has the largest wooden headframe still standing in Arizona(A headframe supports all the equipment, like pulleys and cables, to raise and lower ore cars). There are only two places in all of Arizona where you can stand on a glass platform and peer hundreds of meters deep into the dark mineshaft with water at the bottom. The first is at the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon, which costs money, but the second, Audrey Headframe Park, is free to the public. The Audrey shaft was built as part of a complex operational plan that sought to maximize the amount of extracted high-grade ore, reduce fire risk (a significant concern in this sulfur-rich soil), and optimize worker safety. During the operating years from 1919 through 1938, the Audrey headframe lifted more than 3.6 million tons of ore, yielding 320,000 tons of copper, 190 tons of silver, and 5.3 tons of gold. The operation continued at this pace until the price of copper fell precipitously in the early stages of the Great Depression.  Whether you’re a mining history fanatic or looking for a relaxing afternoon or a family-friendly picnic, Audrey Headframe Park is the perfect destination besides off-roading near Sedona. The park is free, within a few miles outside Jerome, with beautiful views of Sedona and the Verde Valley, making it a popular spot for families and friends to visit. If you visit Audrey Park, you should also visit the Douglas Mansion, which houses a lot of history and mining artifacts used in the mining era in Jerome. Furthermore, you should check out Jerome State Park, another popular destination within Jerome. When you are in the Verde Valley, this is one stop you won’t want to miss. You can visit the park located at 55 Douglas Rd. Jerome, Arizona. Look at their website if you want to learn more about Audrey Headframe Park HERE.  Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to Audrey Headframe Park

Clemenceau Heritage Museum – Cottonwood, Arizona The Clemenceau Heritage Museum is a rich place of history and culture in Cottonwood, Arizona, that is close to an off-road rental with Vortex ATV Rental. This unique Museum educates anyone that wants to know more history about the Verde Valley and how Clemenceau turned into what is known today in Cottonwood. Some of the Verde Valley’s rich history artifacts at the Museum include equipment and tools used in ranching, farming, copper mining, copper smelters, railroads, businesses, and even the towns of Clemenceau, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, and Sedona. Even though displays, objects, and exhibits are known to change frequently, you will expect a couple of permanent exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions include a staged elementary classroom in the 1950s, a pioneer ranch kitchen and bedroom, and an elaborate railroad diorama with working model trains depicting railroads that operated in the region from the 1920s-1950s. There is a lot of history outside the exhibitions too. The building was constructed in 1923 and was used to be Clemenceau School from 1924-1986 before the Museum opened in November 1991, occupying the school’s former classrooms. In addition to the school being converted, the original 1918 Clemenceau Bank and Post Office building, found on the property, has been restored. Both display more history and artifacts from previous eras. Today, the Clemenceau Heritage is one of Cottonwood’s premier attractions, and many locals and visitors are delighted to spend time learning about the region’s rich history. Admission to the Museum is free and on a donation basis. Volunteers run it from the non-profit Verde Historical Society. If you’re looking for something else in the area other than renting an ATV with us at Vortex ATV Rental, learn some of the Verde Valley’s history and how the 1900s paved the way for the 2000s. If you want a place to visit in Cottonwood, you should visit the Clemenceau Heritage Museum. This Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the Verde Valley and how it has developed into what we see today. The Museum is located in Cottonwood, Arizona, at 1 North Willard St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. You can find more information on their website.  Directions from Vortex ATV Rental to the Clemenceau Heritage Museum