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Fort Verde State Historic Park
Open Daily 8AM-5PM (Exc: Dec 25); 928-567-3275; Park Website;
The fort was a base for General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers in the 1870s and 1880s. From 1865 – 1891 Camp Lincoln, Camp Verde and Fort Verde were home to officers, doctors, families, enlisted men, and scouts. The park is the best-preserved example of an Indian Wars period fort in Arizona. Several of the original buildings still stand and living history programs are scheduled periodically, giving visitors a glimpse into Arizona’s history. Today visitors can experience three historic house museums, all furnished in the 1880s period. (See also Arizona Historic Military Posts.)

• Fort Verde Days - Second Saturday of October

• Living History Program - Every Saturday during winter months

History of Fort Verde
In 1863, Arizona Territory was created from a division of New Mexico Territory. The first settlers began arriving afterwards and settling rich farmlands of the Verde Valley. This brought them into contact with hostile indians of the Tonto-Apache and Yavapai tribes that were arlready well established in the area.

The early volunteer military units were composed of almost entirely Mexican recruits. Often marching barefoot and on half rations, they were known as fierce fighters.

In August 1865 they established a tent camp overlooking the farms at West Clear Creek. Regular U.S. Army troops relieved the Arizona Volunteers in September 1866. Camp Lincoln, the next post, was established December 1865, and was located one mile north of the present site and was used from 1866 to 1871. In 1868 the name was changed to Camp Verde.

Malaria plagued the camp so much that in 1870, the Army made the decision to move again. Construction started at the present post in 1871. All the buildings were completed by 1873. There were twenty-two buildings arranged around a parade ground. Designed to house two companies of cavalry and two of infantry, it averaged only one company of each.

Cliff Castle Lodge & Gaming Resort
333 Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, AZ 86322;
Location: Middle Verde Exit from Black Canyon Freeway (I-17)
In the casino, Guests can also enjoy fine dining at our award-winning Storytellers Steakhouse Tuesday through Sunday for dinner plus we offer family dining at the Gallery restaurant 24/7 and tasty old-fashioned burgers and malts at Johnny Rockets. Kids will also enjoy their stay with such amenities as Shake, Rattle and Bowl a 20-lane state-of-the-art bowling center. Kids Quest day care, and The Alley video arcade. Parents can leave the kids under our supervision and collect them after they have their own fun. Guests can relax at any of our cocktail lounges in the casino including Fables, Cliff Dwellers, and The Gutter or in the Lodge?s own intimate bar adjacent to the Gathering restaurant. For live entertainment, we host several big-name concerts at the Stargazer Pavilion, or for a more intimate environment, guests can enjoy live performances at the Dragonfly Lounge on weekends.

Tour Verde Canyon
This historic route takes you along the floor of the scenic Upper Verde River Canyon which includes such highlights as the Verde Canyons towering crimson cliffs, crossing old-fashioned railroad trestles, Dark 680-foot tunnel and final terminus at deserted Perkinsville Ranch.

Local Sedona Area Attractions:
Tour Jerome Arizona - historic copper mining town of the late 19th century.
Tour Montezuma Castle N.M. - national park preserving historic indian ruins and caverns
Tour Tuzigoot N.M. - national park preserving historic indian ruins
Tour Oak Creek Canyon - scenic drive on highway 89A leading to Sedona
Tour Camp Verde - historic army outpost of the early Arizona Territory
Tour Cottonwood Arizona - visit nearby Dead Horse Ranch and Verde River Nature Area

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