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The History of the Verde Valley

The Verde Valley is a 1200-square mile paradise of majestic scenery. It includes almost every type of terrain, ranging in elevation between 3,000 and 4,500 feet. The Verde Valley is away from the heat of the lower valley ( Phoenix ), but still well below the harsh winters of the high country.

Two million years ago this valley was a land of lush grasslands and marshes. It was home to prehistoric land animals and airborne creatures. Today, it's not surprising that this beautiful area has become a haven for photographers, outdoorsmen and nature lovers. Many producers and advertisers use the Verde Valley as a setting for movies, commercials and TV productions.

From 600 AD to 1400 AD the Verde Valley was home to two distinctive cultures. The first inhabitants were the Hohokam Indians who farmed the valley, and the Sinagua Indians who inhabited nearby foothills and the plateau beyond.

When the Hohokam left the Verde Valley , around 1125 AD, the Sinagua moved in and occupied the land. They adopted the irrigation systems of the Hohokam and built masonry dwellings. The villages at Montezuma and Tuzigoot National Monuments have preserved the prehistoric structures abandoned by the Sinagua in the early 1400s.

In later years other Indian cultures occupied the Verde Valley , this including both the Apaches and Yavapais. As pioneers came west, towns sprang up near forts that were built to protect the early settlers. The first of these towns was Camp Verde .

Today the Verde Valley encompasses the communities of Camp Verde , Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Lake Montezuma , Rimrock, McGuireviRe, ComviRe, Page Springs and Sedona. The valley is surrounded by the Mingus Mountain Range, the Mogollon Mesa and the Red Rocks of Sedona.

Outdoor activities in the Verde Valley include golfing, fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, row boating, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, jeep excursions, exploring natural caves and photographing wildflowers and wildlife. The Verde Valley is the summer home of deer, elk, coyote, bear and wild turkey.