Clarkdale, AZ

Travel Guide

Tuzigoot National Monument #roadtrip #NationalPark
Tuzigoot National Monument #roadtrip #NationalPark
You wander around the desert outside Sedona and you're constantly amazed by all the natural formations poking up and undulating out of the landscape. Then you come upon Tuzigoot, and your eyes fly cartoon-like out of your head. Because there, on the top of a hill sits a nine-hundred year old chunk of stone put entirely there by people. The structure contains the remnants of some 110 rooms and spans an area large enough so that a lot of the tourists pop their heads around and say "I'm good," and just head back to the visitor's center. It's not a fair comparison, but while Europe was suffering a long, dark period of its civilization, here in the Americas, populations were thriving, and new technology of all kinds was being employed to accommodate them. Here in the Verde River Valley, a group of people later named Sinaguan (without water), put together workable communities in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. They were all to be abandoned later -- by some accounts because of extended droughts -- but what they did here is nothing short of miraculous. I have plenty more to show from this site, but for now, take a gander at this spreading honeycomb of brick and clay, still standing (though patched and repaired by modern caretakers) nearly a thousand years after its construction. And renew your appreciation for the native peoples of this continent. They did not simply survive. They built and fortified and settled and grew. You may look for a culture gap between the new world and the old if you so choose. But come to this place and you will have a hard time finding it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuzigoot_National_Monument
Pretty cool to walk around for a short visit.
No doubt as fascinating for us today as it was for the people who first lived here, the structure at Tuzigoot almost defies credibility. It sits in the middle of what you could arguably call "nowhere" and stretches for acres in all directions. This turret on top is its crowning glory. Archeologists theorize that the chamber inside was probably used for religious services and community gatherings, though there is hardly any evidence to support it. It's not difficult to expand on that and posit that it must also have been used as a place from which to survey the valley, whether to check on the progress of the current crop or to keep an eye out for invaders. Let me say that this latter hypothesis is strictly my own, though it can hardly be original. As I mentioned before, this is probably one of the most important historical sites of pre-Columbian North America. The Sinaguans are a mysterious people, who came and went with hardly a trace -- though several modern tribes claim them as their ancestors. What they built in that short time is a marvel (if not a miracle), and anyone who lives here should avail themselves of the opportunity to see what was accomplished in the harsh and unforgiving desert so many centuries ago.
Taawaki Inn - Cottonwood, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Taawaki Inn - Cottonwood, an Ascend Collection Hotel

2 out of 5
441 South Broadway Clarkdale AZ
The price is AED 403 per night from Jan 27 to Jan 28
AED 403
AED 450 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clarkdale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Verde Canyon Railroad and Copper ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (353 reviews)
breakfast was delicious

Reviewed on 15 January 2026

Taawaki Inn - Cottonwood, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit

Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit

3.5 out of 5
4055 Navoti Dr Sedona AZ
The price is AED 221 per night from Jan 27 to Jan 28
AED 221
AED 354 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Sedona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,243 reviews)
Room was nice, clean and kitchen was well stocked

Reviewed on 20 January 2026

Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit
Sky Ranch Lodge

Sky Ranch Lodge

3.5 out of 5
1105 Airport Rd. Sedona AZ
The price is AED 644 per night from Jan 29 to Jan 30
AED 644
AED 746 total
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this lodge in Sedona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,937 reviews)
Everything was amazing

Reviewed on 12 January 2026

Sky Ranch Lodge
See all 3,256 properties in Clarkdale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sedona Pines Resort

Sedona Pines Resort

3.5 out of 5
6701 W State Route 89A Sedona AZ
Book a stay at this family-friendly condo in Sedona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,853 reviews)
Beautiful property, peaceful, we will definitely be visiting again

Reviewed on 19 January 2026

Sedona Pines Resort
Junipine Resort

Junipine Resort

3.5 out of 5
8351 N Highway 89A Sedona AZ
Stay at this aparthotel in Sedona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,264 reviews)
Nice place to stay

Reviewed on 18 January 2026

Junipine Resort
Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge

Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge

3.5 out of 5
625 Verde Santa Fe Pkwy Cornville AZ
Book a stay at this golf condo in Cornville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a golf course. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,200 reviews)
The room was great. The amenities thoughtful...ie: soap, coffee/tea, extra blanket, super comfy bed. The hot tub was AMAZING! We even saw a squad of javelinas

Reviewed on 12 January 2026

Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge
See all properties in Clarkdale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

The Verde Canyon Railroad is a heritage railroad running between Clarkdale and Perkinsville in the U.S. state of Arizona. The passenger excursion line operates on 20 miles of tracks of the Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad, a shortline.

Verde Canyon Railroad

4.5/5(222 reviews)

You can study the exhibits at Verde Canyon Railroad, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Clarkdale. While you're here, you can savor the charming coffeehouses.

Verde Canyon Railroad
Tuzigoot National Monument #roadtrip #NationalPark

Tuzigoot National Monument

4/5(1 review)

Rich with history, Tuzigoot National Monument is a cultural attraction worth visiting in Clarkdale. Stroll along the riverfront or seek out the horseback riding.

Tuzigoot National Monument

Copper Art Museum

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can study the exhibits at Copper Art Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your trip to Clarkdale. Stroll along the riverfront or seek out the horseback riding.

Copper Art Museum

Reviews of Clarkdale

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

You must visit the copper museum - facinating!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We went to Verde Canyon Railroad, close by was Awesome , You have to ride the train great experience , beautiful scenery.

3/5 - Okay

Chris

I was a little bummed that there weren’t any tasting rooms or decent food options in the downtown core. It has a lot of promise and it’s close enough to Cottonwood, Sedona, and Jerome to have a bit of an appeal.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

There is a copper museum in town that i wish I had time to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Quiet little town but close enough to the local attractions.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Quaint small town