white bridge – Visit Camp Verde

Explore Vibrant Fall Colors in Arizona

info@spetersdesigns.com — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 03:59:21 +0000

If you’re looking to take Instagram-worthy photos this fall in Northern Arizona, Sedona and Flagstaff aren’t the only places to discover beautiful fall colors in Arizona. Like Oak Creek Canyon, the banks of the Verde River in Camp Verde, Arizona, are lush with color-changing leaves throughout September and October. If you’re seeking a new kind of adventure, come explore some of the unique areas that Camp Verde has to offer for fall colors in Arizona:

Our top 4 places to see Fall Colors in Camp Verde

White Bridge:
Located right off State Route 260, White Bridge is known to locals as an easy access point for fishing along the Verde River. However, it is also a great place to photograph fall leaves or meander along the Diamond S Ditch. Stay long enough, and you’ll be sure to encounter at least one Great Blue Heron!

Rezzonico Park:
Located next to the Camp Verde Community Library, Rezzonico Park is a family-friendly area with ample space for picnics and leisure activities. Along the river, it’s also a great spot to see fall colors among the cottonwoods. It is one of the best places in Camp Verde to birdwatch, with many migrating birds, including colorful warblers, passing through. It’s also literally the center of Arizona and one of our designated dark sky spots!

Clear Creek:
If you’re looking for a place to camp and enjoy fall colors in Arizona, be sure to add Clear Creek to your list. Not only is Clear Creek great for hiking, but it’s also a local hotspot for fishing and swimming. Cooler weather and dark skies make it an ideal location for an end-of-summer camping trip, right when the leaves start to change.

Rockin’ River Ranch:
If you want to hike among fall colors, Arizona’s newest state park, Rockin’ River Ranch, is the place to go. With six new trails to explore, you’ll feel like you’re in fall color heaven. While on the trails, keep a lookout for wildlife – you might encounter otters, javelina, deer, and even beavers! Yes, in Camp Verde!

Discover more than Stunning Fall Colors in Arizona

Whether you’re hiking and checking out the fall colors in Camp Verde or adding it as part of your itinerary while exploring Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff, there are some other great advantages to make a trip to Camp Verde:

Outdoor Family-Fun Activities or Day-Date Locations:

Camp Verde is the center of it all – and that’s true in more ways than just geography! In Camp Verde, you’ll find history, antique shopping, local art, great food, and outdoor adventures. On your trip to Camp Verde to see the changing leaves, be sure to check out a few of our favorite spots for outdoor fun:

Montezuma’s Castle:
Built and used by the Sinagua people between approximately AD 1100 and 1425, Montezuma’s Castle is a set of well-preserved dwellings built into the cliffs of the White Hills. On a visit to Montezuma’s Castle, you’ll learn about the history of the Sinagua and have a chance to see the castle up close. Eleven miles away, just outside of Camp Verde, is Montezuma’s Well-a natural limestone sinkhole where water emerges from an underground spring. Around the edges of the well, you can see more prehistoric dwellings.

Fort Verde State Historic Park:
Located in downtown Camp Verde, Fort Verde State Historic Park preserves the remains of a military fort from the late 19th century. The park offers a glimpse into the life of soldiers and settlers during the Indian Wars, with restored buildings and exhibits.

Verde Valley Archaeology Center:
This center provides insight into the prehistoric cultures of the area through various exhibits and educational programs. It’s a perfect stop for those interested in learning more about the region’s rich history and Native American heritage.

Fossil Creek:
The hidden gem of Camp Verde, Fossil Creek is known for its turquoise water and cascading waterfall, making it a favorite swimming spot among locals. Although it may require a permit and a proper off-roading vehicle to access, Fossil Creek is a must-see for any Northern Arizona trip.

Affordable places to Stay in Camp Verde

After a day of exploring the stunning fall colors in Arizona, you’ll want a comfortable place to unwind. Camp Verde offers a variety of accommodations to suit all preferences:

RV Parks: For those who love the outdoors, Camp Verde is home to numerous RV resorts that provide full-hookup sites in serene settings. Some of them offer easy access to the Verde River or are conveniently located as the perfect home base for starting an adventure.

Local Hotels: Camp Verde is home to a variety of hotels that check the box for any traveler. Most of the hotels, including Days Inn, Copper Hotel, and Comfort Inn, are pet-friendly and offer multiple size rooms to accommodate any party size. Fort Verde Suites is conveniently located downtown, and Cliff Castle Casino offers views of the mountains right from their hotel rooms.

Shopping and Dining on Historic Main Street

Exploring historic Downtown Camp Verde provides a delightful shopping and dining experience, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. Visitors can enjoy an eclectic mix of 11 different types of cuisine, including Italian, authentic Mexican, and traditional American. Quaint boutiques, antique shops, and artisanal stores add to the charm, making Downtown Camp Verde a perfect destination for a leisurely day of shopping and indulging in diverse culinary delights. If you’re looking for some Pumpkin Spice, or just want a warm cup of caffeine to fuel your adventures, stop by one of our coffee shops!

Whether you are looking for fall colors in Arizona or outdoor fun, make sure Camp Verde is on your list of places to check out this Fall. We’re proud of our stunning vistas, autumn foliage and hiking trails, but as the center of it all, we’re also just a short drive away to Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona’s Red Rocks, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

White Bridge to Clear Creek Crossing

info@spetersdesigns.com — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 04:57:21 +0000

Kayaking has skyrocketed in popularity on Arizona’s lakes and streams the past couple of years. This is especially true of the lakes near Phoenix, which are often crowded by motorboats, as well.

To escape the hustle, pack your ‘yaks and head to Camp Verde! Camp Verde’s 18-mile section of the Verde River is easily accessible, uncrowded, absolutely beautiful, and most importantly–fun!

A great introduction to kayaking the Verde Valley is the section from White Bridge to Clear Creek Crossing. This beginner-friendly route offers a dreamy joyride with waterfalls, wildlife, and so much more to see.

Here’s a guide to make your next adventure a real one!

Camp Verde is home to several kayak routes; some of which are not ideal for beginner kayakers (especially south of Beasley Flat Rap). However, White bridge to Clear Creek Crossing is perfect for kayakers of all experience levels. This 5.5-mile paddle is both wild and thrilling.

Those without experience navigating rivers will find this section of the Verde River to be a safe choice, requiring minimal gear as well. It’s a pool-and-riffle river-run, peppered with class I and II rapids from start to finish. The flow of the river can be as low as 60 CFS in the low season, and as much as 5000 CFS or more in the high season. The flow is heavily affected by rain, snowmelt, and other factors; so, it’s important to check the conditions before getting in the water.

The route can take anywhere from three to six hours to complete, depending on the flow. It meanders through a dense riparian woodland that boasts a diverse range of plant life. The Middle Verde is lined with both deciduous trees and evergreen trees, and it is considered one of the rarest forest types in North America.

Cottonwoods, Willows, Arizona Sycamores, Walnut trees, Junipers, Maple and Cypress trees are just a few of the types of trees you’ll see along the river. The foliage will even block out the sun in some segments, providing shade and a surreal tree-tunnel to paddle through.

Easy Logistics

To kayak this route, it’s best to have two vehicles with kayak carrying abilities. Begin by dropping the kayaks off at the White Bridge access point. Then drive 11 minutes to Clear Creek Crossing (AKA Clear Creek Fishing Site) to drop off one of the vehicles. You will then drive the other vehicle back to White Bridge to begin your paddling adventure.

If you have two vehicles, but only one can carry kayaks, this trip can still be pulled off. In this case, when you finish the day at Clear Creek Crossing, you’ll need to beach the kayaks and then drive back to White Bridge to retrieve the second car to pack out the kayaks. It’s best to have someone watch the kayaks while you’re away if possible.

Pro-tip: make sure you secure both sets of keys and bring them with you on your journey.

Dropping in

White Bridge is an easy place to put in. A short walk from the car park will bring you to a wide flat-water section of the river that passes under White Bridge. There is a raging waterfall just upstream from the bridge; so make sure you put in on the downriver side.

After setting out on the Verde, the suspense will build as the river narrows and speeds up. The first small rapid is immediately followed by a winding section that weaves through a thicket of reeds and eventually takes sharp turn to the left. These little rapids are fun and generally safe. Just remember to aim the bow of your kayak straight for the middle of the waves or the fastest channel within the rapid.

As mentioned, these are class I and II rapids, which won’t require a lot of maneuvering or planning. They may be light rapids, but they’ll leave you with an unshakeable smile.

The river carries on making constant changes from deep swimmable sections to fast shallow riffles. Occasionally you will see beautiful farms through clearings in the trees, reminding you of the value and importance of the Verde River.

Eventually, things get a bit wilder. As you paddle further downstream, the route will run closer to the limestone cliffs to the east. The wildlife becomes more abundant, and the trees get taller. You may see a wide variety of wildlife from otters to bald eagles.

Once the current begins meandering back to the west, you’ll encounter a naturally diverted channel of water that breaks off the river to the east and runs downhill back into the main channel. For a bit of added fun, take the opportunity to drag your kayak out of the water and 20 feet over to this narrow chute for a ride down this natural waterslide. You will effortlessly float back into the river. You may find more opportunities for quick fun like this; so keep an eye out along the way.

If you need to take a break at any point, you’ll have plenty of river-side beaches to choose from. A scenic spot is approximately 1.3 miles before the takeout spot at Clear Creek Crossing. It is hard-to-miss thanks to two waterfalls that have formed on the east side of the river.

The first waterfall can be seen from the river, while the second is upstream on higher ground. Below the first waterfall, you will find a cave has formed where the powerful return flow has hollowed out a large rocky section of the riverbank.

Shortly after this point, you will paddle into a tree tunnel. This is a peaceful and serene portion of the route where the tree branches over head reach from one side of the river to the other. The light will become dim, and the water will slow down a bit. Suddenly you may feel like you’re floating away from Camp Verde and into another world. This is where many different types of birds can be seen in the trees and on the water. Coming out of the tree tunnel, the current gets stronger, and the river gets louder. The suspense will build until you reach the last destination of this route: Clear Creek Crossing.

Clear Creek Crossing is an exhilarating place to end your day. There’s a stone weir (low dam) that crosses the river, and the left side of the dam is collapsed. The collapse has formed a three-to-four-foot waterfall that is fast, safe, and an absolute thrill to kayak down.

It may seem intimidating, but it’s worth the ride. Many people, even young kids, float down the short waterfall in innertubes with no issues and loads of stoke. If you don’t have an appetite for this man-made rapid after paddling all day, you can paddle to the right of the dam and pull onto the pebbly beach known as Clear Creek Fishing Site. This is where the journey ends and your car will be waiting for you.

Helpful Information:

Please remember to pack out all your trash and belongings to preserve the natural beauty of the Middle Verde River
It is strongly recommended you clean the hull of your kayaks before putting them in the river to prevent the spread of invasive micro-organisms
Bring life jackets, plenty of water, snacks, a map, first aid kit, and even a headlamp in case something causes your trip to run longer than expected
When approaching a rapid that has a sharp turn with low lying tree branches on the outside of the current, paddle to the inside and away from the tree branches. Low lying branches can make for a hectic situation if you float into them on a fast current
If you fall out of your kayak, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. Float with your boat to a safe area where you can re-group
This is a “paddle at your own risk” route, so be sure you are aware of your capabilities and taking necessary precautions to ensure your safety
You can also visit the USGS site, which is very useful for checking the river and current flow data
There are two great places in Camp Verde to grab coffee before the trip, or relax afterwards:
Wingfield Bread Company and Thanks A Latte Espresso Café

Happy paddling. We’ll see you on the river!

by Noah Rose