In Cottonwood, historic Main Street, arts and events in Old Town meet trails and recreational opportunities along the Verde River. When planning your stay, you can focus on history and culture or spend time outdoors. Offerings also vary throughout the year: a tour is usually scheduled for November, and a nature festival takes place in April.
On the Verde River: Park, Trail and Disc Golf
Riverfront Park is Cottonwood’s largest day-use park and sits on the Verde River. The Cottonwood Disc Golf Course there has 18 holes along the river, through a lush riparian habitat. An easily accessible trail through dense riparian forest connects Old Town Cottonwood with Riverfront Park and the Verde River. The park, river and trail make the outdoors a focus of your stay, without requiring you to choose a particular activity.
Disc golf tee options vary by player group: shorter recreational tees are intended for casual players and families, while longer tees are for advanced players. This makes it easy to choose a course layout based on the tees offered. The 18 holes and their location in the riparian forest offer a different way to spend time by the river than walking the trail that connects Old Town with the park and the Verde River.
Old Town: A Stroll, History and Art
Old Town Cottonwood is a walkable district with historic charm and local character. Historic Main Street invites you to browse. If you are particularly interested in buildings and local history, you can plan a visit to the Cottonwood Historic Property Tour, a walking tour of several historic buildings in the Old Town area. It is usually held as part of Walkin’ on Main in November; the 2026 date is expected to be November 14. Check the event date before your trip.
The Clemenceau Heritage Museum also offers a connection to architectural history: it is housed in the original Clemenceau School. Old Town’s arts scene includes local galleries, public murals and live music venues. The Old Town Center for the Arts also presents performances in music, theater, comedy and the performing arts. If you are interested in a particular performance, check the schedule, since individual event dates may change.
You can choose what to visit based on your interests: the walking tour and museum focus on historic buildings, while galleries, murals and performance venues showcase different forms of arts and culture. A stroll along Main Street is another option in Old Town. These offerings complement the river and park activities; there is no need to combine them into a set itinerary.
Events and Regional Wines
The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival takes place annually in April on the banks of the Verde River at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Participants can join guided birding tours, hikes and workshops. If you are planning a trip around the festival, April is the relevant season; check the date of that year’s event in advance.
The Verde Valley Wine Festival is held annually by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium and the City of Cottonwood; dates vary from year to year. The festival brings together wineries, craft breweries, distilleries, food businesses, live music and artisans. Participating vendors may also change. Separate from the festival, tasting rooms in Old Town Cottonwood offer handcrafted wines from the region. Wine enthusiasts can therefore choose between an annual festival and tasting rooms in Old Town as different options for their stay.
Route Guidance to Tuzigoot National Monument
Driving directions to Tuzigoot National Monument, updated on April 14, 2021, follow 89A through Old Town Cottonwood before turning onto Tuzigoot Road. Check road conditions before you drive.
Discover more destinations: Prescott, Jerome, Ash Fork, Clarkdale, Seligman, Camp Verde, Prescott Valley, Lake Montezuma
For the broader travel overview: Yavapai.
