Approaching the exit to the preserve from I-17 Northbound can make one feel as though they were soaring in for a landing as the final curve of the mountainous highway opens up to the vast expanse of the Verde Valley.  Views of Camp Verde’s General Crook Trail(www.arlingtoncemetery.net/gcrook.htm) to the East, a revived ghost town ( to the West & the snow capped peaks of the San Francisco Peaks to the North offer a breathtaking view & appreciation of this region’s beauty.

As you exit onto Highway 260 & proceed towards Cottonwood on the left you will see the entrance to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park (www.outofafricapark.com) which was created much like Jurassic Park was originally designed with Humvee tours through the mock Serengheti.  As you continue down the Highway & turn right onto Thousand Trails Rd, you will be in awe of the surroundings as you approach the main entrance to Thousand Trails.  Of course, you are welcomed with a smile from one of our rangers & the relaxing begins.  The ranger will provide you with a daily recreation & food service schedule that offers food & fun for all.  However, the surrounding communities are a must to see & enjoy.

The City of Cottonwood (www.cottonwood.verdevalley.com) not only offers full service medical & financial institutes & the ruins of Native American dwellings at Tuzigoot State Park (www.nps.gov/tuzi), but fun entertainment with a live cowboy dinner & show at the Blazin M (www.blazinm.com) or perhaps a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad (www.verdecanyonrr.com) that travels through time into the mountain gorges of Perkinsville.  Just up the hill, elevating another 2000 feet, the former ghost town of Jerome (www.jeromehistoricalsociety.org) beckons you to tour the mines (www.goldkingmine.net), visit the shops & enjoy the best burgers in Arizona.

From Jerome, you can continue traveling through the mountainous Highway 89A into picturesque Prescott Valley, home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo & original State Capitol.

If the ghosts of Jerome aren’t your fancy, then head East towards rustic Camp Verde & you’ll enjoy the old western feeling of rustic buildings & Fort Verde State Park (www.azstateparks.com).  The history is so unique here, that you’ll definitely want to visit more than once.  Don’t forget that the original settlers to this area were the Yavapai-Apaches so a visit to their casino (www.cliffcastle.com) will not only fill your tummy with great food, but hopefully fill your wallet as well. 

If you should choose to continue through Camp Verde to the East lies the sleepy towns of Strawberry (www.angelfire.com/az/strawberrypine) & Payson (www.ci.payson.az.us).  Both towns are blessed with tall pines & rustic inns.  The weather is cooler in the summer for a nice reprieve but chilly in the winter, unless you like to ski.

The most majestic area to see is the Red Rocks of Sedona (www.sedonachamber.com).  Hiking trails, art galleries, cafes & museums are just a few attractions to draw you to this relaxing town.  Feel the energy of the world renown vortexes as well as the climbing red mountains as they reach out to the sky with glorious reflections that build wonderful memories.  Cedar & pines line this route as you wind through Oak Creek Canyon & smell the aroma of wood fires from the campgrounds.  The Fall season is the perfect time to view the changing leaves & breathe the cool, clean air as you continue North towards Flagstaff.

Driving famous Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff ( www.flagstaff.az.gov) is nostalgic in itself.  Visiting this northern hub of skiing, trains, rustic shops & historic buildings makes you wonder if you are still in the State of Arizona & not New England.  Even the Arizona Snow Bowl Ski Resort & recreation area, with its whispering aspens, invites you year round to ride the ancient chair lift to view the vast landscapes from 7000 feet.  From this peak you can view the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (www.nps.gov/grca)

If you continue heading North from Flagstaff for another hour you’ll enter the realm of the grand Canyon.  A full day sightseeing & perhaps you’ll want to stay in one of their quaint inns.  The Grand Canyon makes you wonder how Mother Nature created such a spectacular sight for our eyes to enjoy.  Hiking down to the bottom of the canyon can be a short trip by mule train or a long trip backpacking.  Be careful in the summer as canyon temps increase by 20 degrees once inside the canyon.  If you’re into an adventure, try a hike or mule ride.

Our visitors to the preserve enjoy touring the local sights then return to our Family Center to share their adventure stories.  We all have a tourist within us but not one of us shares the same viewpoint from our experiences.