Clarkdale Travel Guide

Tourist 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 AU$182 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
AU$182
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clarkdale. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Verde Canyon Railroad and Copper Art ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (360 reviews)
Loved the hotel. Very comfortable, great breakfast and nice staff. Would stay there again

Reviewed on 19 Jan 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 AU$144 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
AU$144
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Sedona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,228 reviews)
Room was spotless and very peaceful!

Reviewed on 17 Jan 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 AU$303 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
AU$303
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this lodge in Sedona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,937 reviews)
Everything was amazing

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Sky Ranch Lodge
See all 3,262 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
Stay at this family-friendly condo in Sedona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,855 reviews)
Clean well appointed

Reviewed on 19 Jan 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,265 reviews)
The staff were excellent and the restaurant was great

Reviewed on 19 Jan 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
Stay at this golf condo in Cornville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a golf course. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,201 reviews)
Room was clean. Like the kitchen setup and patio. Spacious bathroom with large tub. Peaceful , parking in front of room. Hot tub was being repaired on 2nd visit. Staff was GREAT on late check-in. Layout of property well planned. Looking forward to next visit

Reviewed on 19 Jan 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

You can browse the exhibits at Verde Canyon Railroad, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Clarkdale. While you're here, you can savour the cosy cafes.

Verde Canyon Railroad
Tuzigoot National Monument #roadtrip #NationalPark

Tuzigoot National Monument

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

Tuzigoot National Monument

Copper Art Museum

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 horse riding.

Copper Art Museum

Activities

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Sedona

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Sedona

AU$25
per traveller
96% of travellers recommend
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Sedona
Sedona: Hi-Points Van Tour

Sedona: Hi-Points Van Tour

AU$75
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Sedona: Hi-Points Van Tour
Sedona: The Magic of Sedona Highlights Tour

Sedona: The Magic of Sedona Highlights Tour

AU$94
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Sedona: The Magic of Sedona Highlights Tour
Sedona: 2-Hour Highlights Jeep Tour

Sedona: PRIVATE Pavement 2-Hour Highlights Jeep Tour

AU$224
per adult
Sedona: PRIVATE Pavement 2-Hour Highlights Jeep Tour
Camp Verde: Predator Zip Lines Guided Tour

Camp Verde: Predator Zip Lines Guided Tour

AU$164
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Camp Verde: Predator Zip Lines Guided Tour
Sedona: Open-Air Van Tour with a Local Guide and 6 Stops

Sedona: Open-Air Van Tour with a Local Guide and 6 Stops

AU$188
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Sedona: Open-Air Van Tour with a Local Guide and 6 Stops
See all activities in Clarkdale

Cities near Clarkdale

Williams which includes street scenes

Williams

Ok

Cornville

Sedona showing mountains and landscape views

Sedona