North Rim of the Grand Canyon....
North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Photography: Joel Grimes
Mention Arizona to the average traveler and they'll summon up visions of saguaro cactus, flat expanses of dry parched land, and heat, heat, heat. But, you might be surprised to know that much of Arizona is radically different from the environs of Phoenix and Tucson.
Central Arizona, in particular, is the land of soaring peaks, green-hued lush forests, and deep scenic canyons. This other Arizona is extremely diverse, stunningly scenic, and rich in RVing opportunities.
We've traveled to central Arizona several times in the past, usually staying in the historic and picturesque city of Prescott. On a recent two-week trip there, we took in most of the touristy sights within an hour's drive of the city and also decided on a three-day side trip to the Grand Canyon-both the south and north rims. As always, it amazed us what this area of Arizona has to offer: scenic beauty, historic places, abundant wildlife, unlimited recreational opportunities, and much more.
The city of Prescott lies very close to the geographical center of Arizona, and Prescott itself has a wide variety of things to see and do. The south end of the city is a forest of pine trees and is the gateway to the Prescott National Forest, with its own set of wilderness opportunities. The south end is full of historical significance-a landscape dominated by the towering peaks of Granite Basin State Park and the imposing Thumb Butte. Go east and you run into Prescott Valley, a booming community that rivals Prescott in size and scope.
At the heart of Prescott are the old county courthouse and the courthouse square. At one time in the late 1800s, Prescott was actually the capital of Arizona. The courthouse square and the streets adjacent to the square pay testimony to the area's rich history.
Gunslingers of Arizona
Across from the courthouse is Whiskey Row, now a collection of restaurants, night spots, art houses, and gift shops. Around the turn of the century, however, Whiskey Row was one of the wildest shoot-em-up places in the West and was visited by the likes of Wyatt Earp and other famous hard-edged men of the time. There's still a lot of history here, and a walk down the streets of old Prescott is a trip back in time.
A number of lakes dot the Prescott area, including Willow, Watson, Lynx, and Goldwater lakes, and each offers a natural experience unparalleled in much of Arizona. Hiking opportunities abound in and around Prescott, and one of our favorite areas is the Granite Basin State Recreation Area.
Kayaking among the Granite...
Kayaking among the Granite Dells of Watson Lake, Prescott. Photography: Marion J. Haligowski
Less than an hour's drive northeast of Prescott is the town of Jerome, perched on a mountain just above the Sedona area. This town is an extremely popular place that must be visited if you are nearby. Jerome was one of Arizona's premier mining towns. More copper, gold, and silver were pulled out of the mines in the late 1800s and early 1900s than almost anywhere else in Arizona. The town still retains its rough mining town image, and present-day Jerome is rich in history and lore. Jerome is also a great place to visit for its tasty restaurants, lively nightspots, art studios, gift shops, and museums.
Just down the hill from Jerome lie the sleepy towns of Clarkdale and Cottonwood, both worth a visit to stroll the old streets. Nearby is Tuzigoot National Monument, which is definitely worth a stop. Tuzigoot was the home of early Indians approximately 1,000 years ago, and they built a citadel on a hill that had housed about 250 people. The restored monument is an amazing place to walk and dream of past people in this arid region of Arizona.