2023 Cottonwood & Verde Valley Visitor's Guide

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Verde Locals
Vermilion Flycatcher
BIRDING
The Verde River is home
to over 200 migratory
and resident bird species,
making it one of the most
diverse and productive
birding locations in the US.
Interactive Birding
Site Story Map, A
Birder’s Guide to the
Verde Valley
Tributaries
Oak Creek originates from the snowmelt in the high country north of Sedona, then
travels through the narrow gorge of the 12-mile-long Oak Creek Canyon, providing
year-round fishing and swimming opportunities. It meanders southwest through
Sedona and Red Rock State Park, passing by the Page Springs Road vineyards before
eventually merging with the Verde River southeast of Cottonwood.
The Wet Beaver
Creek offers wildlife
sightings, fishing,
and swimming
opportunities. Hike for
3.5 miles on Bell Trail
#13 and Wier Trail #85
(Wet Beaver Creek
Wilderness Area) to
reach "The Crack,"
where you can cliff
jump amidst scenic red
rocks. The ephemeral
Beaver Creek flows
downstream past
Montezuma Castle
National Monument
before joining the
Verde River in Camp
Verde.
Other mostly perennial
tributaries include
Fossil Creek, East
Verde Creek, West
Clear Creek, and
Sycamore Creek.
The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek
Oak Creek
Arizona Adventure Group
Great Blue Heron
River otter
The Verde River provides a rich habitat
for a diverse range of wildlife, which
changes with the seasons. Visitors
can spot Great Blue Herons, Common
Black Hawks, and numerous ducks and
waterfowl. The river also supports
a variety of mammals, reptiles, and
amphibians such as coyotes, raccoons,
mule deer, beavers, frogs, turtles, snakes,
and toads, which depend on it for their
survival. The Verde River and the riparian
corridor surrounding it are home to
nearly twenty threatened or endangered
species, including the Yellow-Billed
Cuckoo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher,
and Lowland Leopard Frogs.
Source: Verde River Institute
Dragonfly
The Verde Valley boasts several Audubon
Important Birding Areas (IBAs) such as Lower
Oak Creek, Tuzigoot, and Camp Verde. These
IBAs are located near water and attract nesting
birds and migratory species that stop in the Valley
during their seasonal journeys. Spring is the peak
season for birding, but bird enthusiasts can still spot
a variety of birds throughout the year in the area's
canyons, grasslands, and elevations. Whether walking
a path, meandering along the riverbank, or hiking up a
canyon, birdwatchers are sure to catch a glimpse of the
resident or visiting birds.
verderiver.org/get-involved/birding-trail-map
and northernarizonaaudubon.org
Annual Birding Festivals
Described as "the friendliest
birding festival," the annual Verde
Valley Birding and Nature Festival
is an excellent opportunity to
explore birding alongside other
enthusiasts. The event takes
place on the last full weekend
of April each year and provides
a great way to experience the
growing hobby of birding.
verderiver.org/2023-verde-valleybirding-nature-festival
For hummingbird enthusiasts,
the Sedona Hummingbird
Festival is a must-see event that
occurs during the first weekend
of August. This is the time
when Sedona's hummingbird
population is at its highest and
most diverse, with the chance to
see up to seven different species.
hummingbirdsociety.org
Best Birding
u Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
See Map on page 18.
u Tavasci Marsh – accessed from Tuzigoot National Monument
or Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
u Bubbling Ponds at Page Springs - follow a maintained path
to the lookout point. Located at Page Springs Preserve.
u Red Rock State Park – Offering guided bird walks.
Great Blue Heron
u Sedona Wetlands Preserve – 27 acres with an observation deck.
10 visitcottonwoodaz.org
Cottonwood & Verde Valley 11