Verde Valley (Clarkdale)

The Town of Clarkdale, population 3,100, is located in the upper Verde Valley. Clarkdale is a gateway to relaxed adventures--- with many scenic, historic, cultural and recreation areas in the Verde Valley --an ideal spot to live, work, play and is the ideal stop for tourists. Clarkdale is characterized by numerous mesas and buttes. Tuzigoot National Monument, home to the ancient Anasazi Indians, is located just north-east of Clarkdale. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has facilities for camping, picnicking and fishing, is located 3 miles away. Mingus Mountain Recreation Area is ten miles away and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness area, six miles to the north, is an area that is perfect for walking, hiking, backpacking, picnicking, and camping.

Clarkdale is the jumping off point for the Verde Canyon Railroad, a 19-mile scenic passenger train ride tour up the Verde River. The historic mining town of Jerome is 15 minutes away from downtown Clarkdale, with the scenic red rocks of Sedona and Oak Creek only 20 miles away.

Founded in 1912, Clarkdale is a unique example of a company mining town. Unlike Jerome, which grew up around a hodgepodge of mining camps, Clarkdale was planned, owned and developed by William A. Clark of Montana, owner of the United Verde Copper Company on Cleopatra Hill in Jerome. Clark made technological improvements ahead of his time and created his own railroad line (The United Verde and Pacific) that eventually turned his company into the richest privately owned copper mine in the world.

Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus makes its home in Clarkdale and offers many of the 50 programs found at Yavapai College. A perfect location for students seeking their associate degree before continuing to a state university; for those seeking career training or classes for personal development, the campus offers small classes with a great deal of faculty involvement.