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Part river town, part wine trail, and part historic hub: Cottonwood, Arizona, offers a fun and lively scene that sets it apart from the arid desert to the south and the soaring mountains to the north.
Although it might be best known as a gateway to the nearby red rocks of Sedona, Cottonwood has plenty of charms of its own. They start with the quaint Old Town district and branch out to the banks of the lushly green Verde River and the nearby historic towns of Clarkdale and Jerome.
You might initially go to Cottonwood for its proximity to the famous red rocks, but don’t be surprised if you want to stay for the laid-back atmosphere and excellent restaurant and bar scene.
As a frequent visitor to Cottonwood over the years, I’ve always loved the Verde River’s swath of vivid green that winds its way through the browns and grays of the high-desert terrain. For me, Cottonwood offers the perfect mix of small-town Arizona, cool river vibes, and burgeoning wine scene.
11 Amazing Things to Do in Cottonwood, Arizona
1. Historic Old Town
Any visit to Cottonwood should start with a stop in the historic Old Town. This is a district that dates back to the early 1900s when it was a center for the area’s mining and smelter industry. Today, many of the buildings feature the rock and brick architecture of the ’20s and ’30s.
The town’s Clemenceau Smelter closed down in 1936, which dealt a devastating blow to the local economy, according to the city’s website. In recent decades, the Old Town has been revitalized as a vibrant business and tourism district.
Cottonwood’s Old Town currently features over 60 businesses, including several tasting rooms, 13 cafés and restaurants, four antique stores, nine galleries, and six hotels.
For a fun weekend in Cottonwood, plan to stay in one of the Old Town’s boutique hotels, such as The Tavern Hotel, located in a renovated 1925 building. Then spend an evening wandering Main Street and stopping at any of the tasting rooms that interest you. I recommend checking out the hip Pillsbury Wine Company before having dinner around an outdoor fire pit at Pizzeria Bocce Patio Bar.
Since the Old Town area is relatively small and compact, the restaurants and tasting rooms are wonderfully walkable. Convenient parking lots are sprinkled throughout the area; watch for the colorful public parking signs.
2. Verde River
You’re never far from the cool waters of the Verde River in Cottonwood. As one of only two wild and scenic rivers in Arizona, the Verde is a definite must-see on any visit to the region.
The Cottonwood and Clarkdale communities offer many convenient spots to access the river — some that are right on the beaten path and others that are more hidden away. For fishing, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing, check out Clarkdale’s Tuzigoot River Access Point or the Bignotti Picnic Site between Cottonwood and Camp Verde (accessed via a rough dirt road recommended only during dry weather).
3. Jail Trail
For an even easier encounter with the Verde River, opt for the Jail Trail located just steps from the streets of the Old Town. Towering Fremont cottonwood trees with their glossy-green leaves crowd the banks of the Verde and offer a cool respite on a hot summer day.
Even though the trail is located right in the middle of town, it doesn’t take more than a few steps in to experience a feeling of wilderness. The 1.5-mile trail has little elevation gain and is rated as easy, although it has some rocky and sandy areas.
4. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Another great access point for the Verde River is available at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, located adjacent to the state’s Verde River Greenway, and not far from Old Town Cottonwood.
Known for its giant cottonwood trees, pretty fishing ponds, and wildlife viewing, Dead Horse attracts locals and visitors alike. The park is also a magnet for those looking for a peaceful campground in a moderate climate.
5. Riverfront Park
For a more developed river experience complete with ballfields, picnic tables, and rock sculptures, Cottonwood’s sprawling Riverfront Park sits not far from the Old Town and Dead Horse. It’s the perfect spot for a walk or a shady break from sightseeing.
For visitors traveling with dogs, Riverfront Park also includes a 1.3-acre dog park that has separate areas for small/shy dogs and large dogs.
6. Verde Valley Wine Trail
Arizona’s wine industry is thriving, with unique varietals like Malvasia Bianca and Syrah gaining recognition. The state’s diverse soil produces bold reds and crisp whites, offering a distinctive wine-tasting experience. Although Old Town Cottonwood has a concentrated selection of wine-tasting rooms, it is just a sampling of the many wine offerings available throughout the Verde Valley and Sedona.
The Verde Valley Wine Trail, billed as the heart of Arizona wine country, offers about 25 winery/vineyard stops that stretch all the way from the steep mountainside of Jerome to the Verde River communities of Clarkdale and Cottonwood to the Oak Creek communities of Page Springs and Sedona. The wine trail’s website offers a passport that lists the stops along the route.
Throughout the year, communities celebrate the region’s wine with festivals such as the Verde Valley Wine Festival and the Sedona WineFest.
On the other hand, if you’d rather stick to Old Town Cottonwood and spend an evening wandering Main Street, here are the two most popular wine-tasting rooms you’ll find there.
Burning Tree Cellars
Located on Main Street in the Old Town Cottonwood, Burning Tree Cellars tasting room is housed in a quaint storefront with an attached outdoor patio boasting an earthy, rustic design. Burning Tree Cellars is a delightful winery that specializes in crafting small-batch wines. Their eclectic selection of rose, red, and white, wines, is only elevated by the warm and welcoming ambiance.
If you’re a wine enthusiast seeking something beyond the ordinary, exploring Burning Tree Cellars and considering the benefits of joining their Wine Club is highly recommended.
Pillsbury Wine Company
Another tasting room in the Old Town Cottonwood, Pillsbury Winery stands as a testament to the exceptional quality of wines produced in this region, making it a destination worthy of exploration. Tasting sessions include five servings and a complimentary crystal wine glass.
Pillsbury Wine Company specializes in estate-grown, vegan wines, and their tastings are by reservation only, so call in advance. The dedication to excellence displayed by Pillsbury Winery has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by their impressive collection of accolades.
7. Page Springs
Integral to the Verde Valley Wine Trail is the Page Springs area where vineyard rows line the hills that rise from the region’s scenic Oak Creek, a tributary of the Verde River.
A drive along Page Springs Road is definitely worth the 20-minute trip from Cottonwood. The road dips and rises through the Oak Creek Canyon and passes by scenic wineries such as Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery, with its selection of Arizona wines. Also on the way is D.A. Ranch Lodge & Estate Vineyards, which features a luxurious log-cabin venue fronted by a lovely tree-lined pond. Plan to spend several hours meandering along Page Springs Road and sampling the variety of wines available.
Top it off with a lunch or dinner with stunning views of Oak Creek at Up the Creek Bistro Wine Bar.
8. Tuzigoot National Monument
While much of the Verde Valley is steeped in the mining and frontier history of the late 1800s and early 1900s, the pueblo at Tuzigoot National Monument in Clarkdale goes back hundreds of years more.
Experts estimate that the 110-room hilltop pueblo dates back 900 years or more to when the native Sinagua people traded and farmed the fertile land along the Verde River. The pueblo ruins were excavated and reconstructed in the 1930s. Today, they offer a glimpse of the lives of those early farmers and artists.
The national monument is located between Cottonwood and Clarkdale. Climb to the top of the pueblo for expansive views of the Verde River Valley and the nearby Mingus Mountain.
9. Clarkdale
For a fascinating step back in time to a more recent era, visitors should be sure to explore the neighborhoods of Clarkdale, located about 4 miles from Cottonwood, also along the Verde River.
Many of the town’s charming brick and stucco houses date to the early 1900s, when Clarkdale was a “company town” for the United Verde Copper Company. Clarkdale is also the base for the Verde Canyon Railroad, which takes passengers along the river’s scenic canyon.
10. Jerome
Delve even deeper into mining history by continuing along Highway 89A toward Jerome, a one-time mining boomtown.
Over the years, Jerome transitioned from its late-1800s mining heyday to a veritable ghost town in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, tourists flood Jerome’s steep, winding streets to take in the old buildings perched precariously on the mountainside and the quirky selection of shops, restaurants, and wineries.
Along with its mining history, Jerome offers many spots for lunch or dinner with sweeping views of the Verde Valley below. I recommend stopping by Grapes Restaurant and Bar for a signature create-your-own pasta bowl or a specialty pizza and a glass of Arizona wine. The meal comes with the requisite dose of history as well; the building originally served as a Pony Express station in the early 1900s.
Editor’s Note: At the time of this writing, Grapes Restaurant and Bar is currently closed for renovations.
More history awaits at the interesting Jerome Historical Society Museum, which offers a look back at Jerome’s days as the “Wickedest Town in the West.”
11. Mingus Mountain Scenic Road
For some flat-out gorgeous mountain scenery, continue southwest from Jerome on Highway 89A toward Prescott. However, be prepared for plenty of hairpin turns and slow-going traffic on the highway, which is a favorite for tourists and motorcyclists.
The highway climbs to over 7,000 feet in elevation at the summit and offers consistently spectacular views of the rugged Mingus Mountain. The route passes through the Prescott National Forest and a number of scenic trails are available along the way, such as the Woodchute Trail (a 2.3-mile moderate climb) and the Yeager Canyon Trail (a 2.4-mile difficult hike). Both trails traverse rough, primitive terrain.
The drive is great for a sightseeing excursion to the summit or for a day trip to the historic community of Prescott, which is about a 50-minute drive from Jerome.
Cottonwood’s Climate Makes It A Year-Round Destination
Located virtually in the center of Arizona, Cottonwood features a mild climate that is somewhere between the sizzling heat of the Phoenix area and the cool mountain air of Flagstaff — making it a true year-round destination.
Average high temperatures in the winter hover around the 60-degree Fahrenheit mark, and summer averages tend to reach the high 90s and low 100s. Springtime is lovely with average highs in the 70s to 80s. Fall remains hot and sunny through October when average highs are in the low 80s.
FAQs
Where is Cottonwood?
Cottonwood is located about 20 miles southwest of Sedona, Arizona. You can still explore Sedona and Red Rocks as part of Coconino National Forest while using Cottonwood as your base camp, but Cottonwood has so many cool things around it to see too. The biggest city near Cottonwood is Phoenix.
Why Visit Cottonwood, Arizona?
The historic Old Town Cottonwood is famous for its wine tasting and great restaurants. Also, this charming little town has dozens of walking and hiking trails and many other fun things for the entire family, including camping, mountain biking, fishing, and horseback riding.
What Makes Cottonwood So Good For Wine Tasting?
Cottonwood is one of the stops along the Verde Valley Wine Trail, which is a collection of wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms in Northern Arizona. However, wine-tasting rooms in Old Town Cottonwood are just a fraction of what Verde Valley and Sedona offer when it comes to wine.
How to Get to Cottonwood, AZ?
Cottonwood is a two-hour drive from Phoenix. If you’re flying into Arizona to visit Cottonwood, it’s best to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and drive from there. The drive is extremely easy and it takes approximately 1h 44m to get from Phoenix to Cottonwood’s town center.
When to Visit Cottonwood, AZ?
The best time to visit Cottonwood is during the spring or fall. The weather is usually warmer than the rest of the country, and you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor patios and outdoor recreation to the fullest.
Next time you’re heading to Arizona, make sure to check out these Arizona vacation rentals to book for your next trip.
