Jerome / Clarkdale / Page Springs / Cornville Weekend Getaway
Alongside State Route 89A between Sedona and Prescott, Jerome is a historic copper mining town that sits near the top of Cleopatra Hill with a wide view over Verde Valley. Though its rich copper heydays are nearly a century gone now, the town still has much to offer through new life as a thriving artist and tourism hub. It’s a worthwhile stop if you’re looking for grand views, art, good food, and a slice of Arizona history.
Only 10 minutes from Jerome, Clarkdale was originally built as a company town for the workers in its old copper mines. Nowadays, similar to the revitalization of its related community, Clarkdale has grown as a center for arts and the Arizona spirit. The Verde River runs through town itself, granting gorgeous views both for its residents and passengers of its historic Verde Canyon Railroad. Clarkdale has also become a center for fine Arizona wines, as it holds the Southwest Wine Center and an annual spring Verde Valley Wine Festival that draws the finest of the state’s food, drink, and entertainment.
Though separate communities, Cornville and Page Springs are censused together as a rapidly growing suburban area for Cottonwood and Sedona nearby. Both communities are located beside Oak Creek, which eventually flows into the Verde River within the greater Verde Valley. The Lower Oak Creek near Page Springs has been designated an Important Bird Area, and a large fish hatchery run by the Arizona Game and Fish Department resides nearby. Visitors to town can take relaxing creekside strolls, watching for birds and touring the hatchery alike. While the larger town of Sedona is known for its ample vineyards, the wineries in the region actually reside within Paige Springs— further opportunity for interesting tours.
All of these communities rest within Verde Valley and are relatively close to each other, so it’s very possible to take a round trip to multiple locations of historical and cultural importance alongside shopping and wine tasting. There are also plenty of places along the way to either find a good bite to eat or accommodations for a few evenings if you’d like to take your tour around the valley slowly.