8 Darling Small Towns in Arizona
Arizona has a diverse landscape, from the Chihuahuan Desert to the southeast to the Mojave Desert in the upper west. It's the only state with four desert regions, each with a unique environment. The state holds 22 national parks and monuments, including the Grand Canyon, and two of the most recognized waterfalls, Grand Falls and Havasu Falls. The darling towns surrounded by the open land and mystic beauty are teeming with southwestern charm. Some communities were established during the mining boom, while others have a storied past decorated with cowboys and outlaws. The old west history combined with the upscale resorts makes each area unique and worth visiting. Discover eight darling small towns in Arizona.
Sedona
Nestled in the Red Rocks of northern Arizona's high desert, Sedona is a magical place with endless natural beauty. Native American Tribes consider Sedona the center of the universe, and rock art illustrating their culture can still be seen. Traveling along the Red Rock Scenic Byway is a popular way to experience the mysticism of the red sandstone formation. It passes Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed locations in Sedona, and goes by Slide Rock State Park, a natural slide over small waterfalls that's become a popular swimming hole. Further, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a popular stop, which is a roman catholic chapel constructed into the red rock buttes in the 1950s.
There's also a rich pioneering history in Sedona. Cook Cemetery is Sedona's oldest cemetery, first used in 1918 and formally established by Henry Elmer Cook in 1933. Another notable landmark is the Hart Store, Sedona's oldest store. It sold Oak Creek fruit and supplies and had the first commercial power in town.
Bisbee
What used to be a booming mining town is now a thriving arts community that has maintained its Western charm. Bisbee is located in the southeast corner of Arizona among the Mule Mountains. The mining boom happened here when there was a demand for high-grade copper, a crucial need during WWI. A great place to hear the story about it is at the Copper Queen Mine. Guides are former miners who talk about what mining conditions were like and the dangers of the job. Next, an excellent place to stop is the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum. It outlines the rush for copper and describes how the town became an arts destination.
There are also numerous historic hotels you can visit that are themed and offer an exciting and sometimes spooky experience. The Copper Queen Hotel is perched on a hill and is known for its paranormal activity. The rooms at the historic Bisbee Grand Hotel have enormous character mixed in with an artistic vibe. The hotel is located in the heart of Bisbee's arts and cultural district, where you can explore galleries, shops, and lovely boutiques.
Tombstone
Tombstone is an adorable town in southeastern Arizona with a rich Wild West history and is known for its storied gunfights. It’s widely known for the OK Corral Gunfight, the subject of many books and films. Visitors have ample opportunity to explore the lawless history. The Gunfighter Hall of Fame has interesting artifacts and displays of different outlaws. While Old Tombstone Western Theme Park provides Wild West entertainment and has the longest-running gunfight show.
The Birdcage Theatre is another popular spot that captures Tombstone. It opened in the late 1800s to entertain the influx of silver miners and hosted the longest-reported poker game ever recorded, lasting eight years. It's now reported to be haunted. The theatre is located in downtown, with endearing shops and eateries to explore. The Longhorn Restaurant is the oldest in Tombstone, and the historic building used to be the Bucket of Blood Saloon.
Prescott
Prescott is a cowboy town located about 100 miles north of Phoenix that offers visitors a chance to step back in time when people set out to strike rich here. You can pan for gold or go on a horseback ride on back trails famous cowboys took, such as Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp. In town, Whiskey Row is a historic section of Prescott occupied by authentic old-west saloons established during the early gold rush, a time that drew cowboys, settlers, and outlaws.
Prescott has several museums exploring the rich pioneer and Native American history. The Museum of Indigenous People celebrates the arts and culture of the native people of the Southwest. Further, the Sharlot Hall Museum, which is comprised of nine buildings, includes a replica of an old schoolhouse, a transportation building, and the 1864 Territorial Governor’s mansion.
Carefree
Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, Carefree is a quiet and inviting town surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The town also prides itself on having one of the largest sundials in the Western Hemisphere. Many adventurers come here to explore the vast land. Spur Cross Ranch is a great place to experience the desert, with multiple hiking trails that pass by a wide range of cactuses. It's recommended to head out in the morning with plenty of water to avoid the afternoon heat. A closer option is Carefree Desert Gardens, one of two botanical gardens in the area. It has interesting native plants and cactuses labeled for visitors, and it's close to downtown, where there's shopping and dining.
Only a few miles from Carefree, guests can explore Cave Creek Museum and get a sense of how people used to live. It holds the state's last original tubercular cabin, a space used for patients recovering from tuberculosis. Only a few miles from there is Frontier Town, one of the first Western entertainment centers. Visitors can watch various shows and stunts.
Jerome
Jerome is nestled in the Mingus Mountains and is perched on a hill overlooking the Verdes Valley. It’s known for its arts, wine, and prosperous mining history. In the early 1900s, Jerome was the largest copper-producing area in the state, and the nation needed copper for electricity and telegraph lines. At Jerome State Historic Park, visitors can learn about when mining operations ceased in 1953 and how Jerome became a ghost town. At Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, visitors can take a self-guided tour past a mining shaft and a town center with a schoolhouse, dentist office, and other historic buildings with rustic cars abandoned outside.
For a good story, Jerome’s Sliding Jail is a quirky old site. A dynamite explosion in the 1930s caused the jail to slide off its foundation, landing in the middle of one of the town’s main roads, so traffic was made to go around it. Another interesting site is Audrey Headframe Park, home to the state’s oldest and largest standing wooden headframe, which lifted 3 million tons of ore.
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is a famous resort town in the desert surrounded by mountains. There are numerous spas and luxury hotels like the historic Camelback Inn. There are quite a few interesting shops to explore downtown as well. One treasure is Cosanti Originals, a progressive experience in architecture. It’s listed on the Arizona Registry of Historic Places. The earth-casting techniques create an open space feel and symbolize the benefits of minimalism in a consumer-driven society. You can purchase unique bronze wind bells that are recognized around the world.
There’s also ample opportunity to get outside and explore the outdoors. Visitors can hike Camelback Mountain, which resembles the hump and head of a camel. Agua Fria National Monument is another excellent chance to experience the desert in a remote setting. It encompasses two mesas and the canyon of the Agua Fria River.
Page
For those who seek outdoor adventure and sprawling views of the desert wilderness, the small town of Page has become a sought-after destination. The community is one of the youngest in the country and originated as a housing camp for people building the Glen Canyon Dam. Because of the dam's remoteness, the engineering required to construct it is considered one of the most remarkable achievements of the United States. The dam is vital in providing water reserves during droughts for seven states in the west, including Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
There's boundless beauty surrounding Page to explore, such as Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the tallest natural bridges in the world. It holds spiritual and cultural significance for Native American tribes and is believed to symbolize the spirits responsible for rainbows, clouds, and the desert's life. Visiting The Wave in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is another popular destination. To see the swirling rock formation, travelers must trek about 6 miles round trip through the desert wilderness through the rugged slopes and canyons.
Other notable sites include Grande Staircase Escalante National Monument and Horse Shoe Bend. A short 1.5-mile hike in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area takes visitors to an overlook of Horse Shoe Bend, shaped by the Colorado River's force.
A Blend of History and Beauty in Arizona’s Small Towns
Arizona continues to gain popularity because of its gorgeous scenery and unique, vibrant towns. From the red rocks in Sedona to the Verdes Valley near Jerome, the land here makes one feel at peace. There's a rich Old West history, from storied gunfights in Tombstone to the mining era in Jerome that left behind a ghost town. The darling towns in Arizona capture the heart and history of the region and leave visitors with a desire to return.
