Clarkdale offers dramatic hikes and mining history in the Verde Valley
Surrounded by red-rock mesas and multi-terrain hiking trails, Clarkdale offers outdoor adventure with many ways to explore the Verde River Valley. It is known for its rich copper mining history, featuring millennium-old artifacts within Arizona' high desert landscape, just south of Sedona. "People come from all over to experience the railroad, the Copper Art Museum and Jerome, which is known as a ghost town," says Tahona Epperson, associate broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial. "There is history and a lot of things to do. You get way more bang for your buck at the base of Mingus Mountain compared to Sedona."
Recreation areas stretch from the river to Sedona’s red rocks
The Tuzigoot River Access Point has hiking trails and kayaking access along the Verde River, which flows south toward other parks. Dead Horse Ranch State Park features campgrounds and over 20 miles of trails that connect to the Coconino National Forest. Clarkdale Park is in the center of town, hosting Concerts in the Park, a live outdoor concert series in the summer. Also nearby, the Coyote Trails Golf Course has desert fairways with mountain views, open to the public. Around 20 miles north, Red Rock State Park is one of many recreation areas in the Sedona area, with red-rock cliffs and sandstone vistas along a 5-mile trail.
Stucco homes and Spanish Revivals in a mining town layout
Stucco houses often have views of the surrounding desert mesas and mountains. "It used to be where miners lived, so a lot of the homes are cottage styles," Epperson says. "There's an upper part for where the supervisors were and a lower part for laborers." Clarkdale's architectural styles include Spanish Revivals, Craftsman-style and contemporary homes, ranging from $180,000 to $950,000. Manufactured homes cost between $40,000 and $390,000. In communities like the Mountain Gate subdivision, townhouses cost between $330,000 and $430,000. "The Mountain Gate community is nice. Several builders are still building there, so there are a lot of new homes," Epperson says.
Ancient ruins, copper art exhibits and the Verde Canyon Railroad
Tuzigoot National Monument is a collection of sedimentary-rock pueblo village ruins built by the Sinagua people approximately 1,000 years ago. It also has wetland trails in the Tavasci marsh and a museum with artifacts. Entry into this area also gives locals access to the Montezuma Castle National Monument. The Jerome State Historic Park is a historic exhibit of a ghost town in the copper mining industry. The Arizona Copper Art Museum has copper ore, sculptures and artwork that tell the story of Clarkdale's history. Also nearby, the Verde Canyon Railroad offers scenic train rides across the state.
Craft beer and cheese shops along Clarkdale's Main Street
Main Street in Clarkdale features restaurants, a bookstore and a homemade cheese shop. Smelter Town Brewery offers a selection of craft beers and appetizers, including pretzel bites, in a tavern featuring exposed brick walls. Another option is the 10-12 Lounge, a cocktail bar known for its live music and pub food. The city's supermarkets are Food City and Safeway, located in Cottonwood, approximately 5 miles south of Clarkdale. Its Main Street center is Old Town Cottonwood, another historic Main Street strip with wineries in brick buildings and distant mountain views.
Public transit and highways connect Clarkdale to nearby cities
The Verde Shuttle is the city's public transit system, with bus stops located along Main Street. State Route 89A is one of the area's major highways, connecting to Sedona, which is approximately 20 miles north. Flagstaff and Prescott are about an hour's drive from Clarkdale. About 50 miles north, the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport offers passenger flights to Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Schools offer gifted programs and early college options
The Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School District offers after-school programs, including tutoring, extracurricular activities and an academy for gifted students. It has only one school, the Clarkdale-Jerome School, which earns a B-plus grade from Niche and serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Grades nine through 12 attend Mingus Union High School, which receives a B grade. It also offers dual enrollment through an early college program and is designated as an A-plus School of Excellence by the Arizona Education Foundation. Mingus Union High School participates in Arizona’s open enrollment program, allowing students from outside the district to apply for admission based on available space.
