The 7 Most Charming River Towns In Arizona
Arizona is known primarily as a desert state, where extreme sun meets vast wilderness made up of rocks, mountains, and sand. But even such a seemingly inhospitable landscape gives way to rivers, one of which is the mighty Colorado. For millions of years, this river has flowed through the area now known as Arizona, cutting deep into rocks and canyons as it makes its way toward the Gulf of California. The Verde and San Francisco Rivers also pass through this state, and together they have supported the establishment of settlements, which today are among the best places to visit in the country.
From Clifton to Page, these towns in Arizona are charming and ideal for riverside vacations, where one moment can be spent on the water, and the next hiking through rocks, canyons, and deserts. Whether you’re visiting in the heat of summer or the cool of winter, these charming river towns in Arizona are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Parker
Parker is one of the few small towns on the Colorado River in Arizona. This makes it a haven for water recreation, and Buckskin Mountain State Park is the perfect place to enjoy this experience. This park provides access to fishing and boating activities on the river, plus it offers waterfront camping and trails for hiking. Nearby, River Island State Park has similar adventures to delight travelers on the Colorado River. In addition to boating, fishing, and swimming, the park includes dozens of campsites, picnic areas, and trails for hiking and biking.
Besides the water, Parker has more unique things to offer, including Swansea Ghost Town. The former is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Arizona, located about 30 miles from Parker. Like much of the American West, Swansea was a mining hub in the early 1900s, but by 1937, the mine was shut down and the town abandoned. Today, the dilapidated buildings are a faint reminder of the area’s history. Furthermore, The Nellie E Saloon, just outside Parker, is one of the most interesting off-road spots to dine from early October to April. More commonly known as the Desert Bar, it is located in the Buckskin Mountains down a dirt road and offers delicious food, alongside occasional live music. The place is solar powered and cash only, so come prepared for a unique experience.
Clifton
Clifton is a charming little town situated on the San Francisco River, boasting an interesting mining history. This town first came to be when copper was discovered in 1872. This attracted prospects from all over the world who settled in the area. Today, Clifton is one of the oldest continuously producing copper-mining towns in the American Southwest, and visitors are invited to explore its historic attractions, starting with the Clifton Jail. One of the earliest structures in town, built around 1881, this jail was said to be inescapable and is worth visiting for a sense of crime and punishment in the Old American West. Next, visitors can head to the Greenlee Historical Museum for a more detailed look at the area’s history, including its pioneers, culture, and mining industry. The museum has a gift shop, offering educational items and local souvenirs, among other interesting items.
Clifton also provides opportunities for camping along the San Francisco River at North Clifton RV Park. This spot is great for hiking and biking as well, as well as wildlife spotting, as big horn sheep can be seen regularly grazing in the area. Additionally, Clifton is famous for its location on one end of the Coronado Trail, which stretches 120 miles to the town of Springerville. Driving on this highway is one of the most thrilling experiences in Arizona, as it winds through the mountains, offering access to alpine campgrounds, trails, and overlooks, as well as potential sightings of wildlife such as black bears, elk, and wild turkeys, as well as Mexican wolves on rare occasions. From the road, one can also get a good look at the Morenci Copper Mine, one of the largest copper reserves in the United States.
Page
Page is a lovely town on the Colorado River, with so much scenery and adventure to delight travelers. For starters, it is a paradise for water recreation, acting as a gateway to Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the US. This lake is on the Colorado River, and visitors can access the waters from the Wahweap Marina, which also has a small beach, campgrounds, and a resort with swimming pools for hotel guests.
For hikers and bikers, several trails are in and around this town for endless outdoor adventure. Rimview Trail is a 10-mile route around town, with views of Lake Powell, as well as the surrounding desert and mountains. Meanwhile, some of Arizona’s signature attractions, such as Antelope Canyon, one of the country’s most photographed geological wonders, and Horseshoe Bend, can be found near Page. Horseshoe Bend, in particular, is just six miles from Page and invites outdoor enthusiasts on a 1.5-mile round-trip hike to see the impressive sandstone formation carved by the Colorado River over millions of years.
Bullhead City
Bullhead City is known for its impressive scenery, courtesy of its location on the Colorado River and the surrounding Black Mountain Range. Travelers here will enjoy access to the river from several parks, one of which is the Community Park, which also has a swim beach. Rotary Park also offers access to the river for boating and fishing, plus it has more than three miles of trails, a beach, and sports facilities. Just outside town,
Katherine Landing is a cool place to relax and enjoy more water-based recreation. This oasis is on Lake Mohave, a deep blue reservoir on the Colorado River, and features boat ramps, white sandy beaches and coves, a campground, picnic sites, and trails. Visitors to this spot can enjoy everything from kayaking and scuba diving to fishing, boating, hiking, and casual dining at No Bad Days Bar & Grill. Back in town, the Colorado River Museum is a great place to learn about the Lower Colorado River area and its Native Americans. This museum’s collection includes artifacts, photographs, and pottery of the Mohave Tribe, as well as minerals, gemstones, and other geological displays.
Sedona
Although teachnically not a river town, Sedona sits along Oak Creek, which remains a strong force in the area, largely responsible for carving out Oak Creek Canyon. Visitors to Sedona are invited to drive along Oak Creek Canyon for beautiful views and access to the creek for fishing and swimming. Slide Rock State Park is also in this canyon and has trails leading to several wading pools and fishing holes on the creek, as well as a natural slide that drops into a cold pool.
Additionally, Sedona is just five miles from Red Rock State Park, home to a 1.4-mile stretch of Oak Creek, and a five-mile trail network leading through the greenery and red rocks along the water body. Meanwhile, a visit to Sedona is always an opportunity to hike Cathedral Rock Trail, one of the area's most popular, which leads to panoramic red rock views and iconic Cathedral Rock, which is known as one of Sedona’s renowned spiritual vortexes.
Clarkdale
Clarkdale is a charming town on the Verde River, renowned as the first master-planned community in Arizona. It is easy to lose track of time here, as there’s so much to see and do. For adventurers, the Tuzigoot River Access Point and Lower TAPCO River Access Point provide access to the Verde River for rafting and paddling adventures. For art enthusiasts, the Arizona Copper Art Museum in town features an impressive collection and celebrates the state’s reputation as the largest producer of copper in the US. Over 5,000 works of copper art are in this museum, covering areas such as military art, kitchenware, drinkware, architecture, and more.
For those who love history, the Tuzigoot National Monument is an interesting site just two miles from town on a ridge above the Verde River, with a history dating to the period between 1000 CE and 1400 CE. The village was built by the Sinagua people, and there’s a museum on site today featuring pottery, textiles, and tools excavated from the site, all offering insights into the lives of the pre-Columbian culture.
Winslow
This town on historic Route 66 is also on the Little Colorado River, and is a great place for a vacation full of water adventures. Just a few miles from town, McHood Park features the Clear Creek Reservoir, where everything from fishing to swimming and kayaking can be enjoyed with views of dramatic sandstone formations. The park even has campsites, hiking trails, and waterfront picnic areas, plus a wide range of birds for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Away from the water, Winslow has several historic attractions to delight travelers, starting with Homolovi State Park. Located just outside town, this park preserves over 300 archeological sites, built between 1260 CE and 1400 CE by the Hopi people. Several trails are in the park today for access to some of these ancient sites, of which the Homolovi II Trail is one of the most popular, stretching less than a mile to the largest archaeological site in the park, which has more than a thousand rooms. Additionally, the park has an exhibit-filled visitor center, a gift shop, and campsites. Also near Winslow is the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, one of the best-preserved craters on Earth, formed about 50,000 years ago. Travelers are invited to take a guided tour around this unique site or check out the visitor center to see interactive exhibits about meteorites, space, and the solar system in general.
Enjoy A Refreshing Vacation in These Charming River Towns In Arizona
Arizona is more than canyons, red rocks, deserts, and mountains. This state is also endowed with wildlife, Native American sites, mining history, culture, art, and lots of copper, which is why it was nicknamed the Copper State. Across these Arizona towns, travelers will enjoy their proximity to waterways such as the Colorado River and the Verde River. Hence, opportunities abound for water recreation in these towns, which can be essential in a state where summer temperatures sometimes exceed temperatures of 110° Fahrenheit. Visit these charming river towns in Arizona today for a unique vacation, with water-based adventures that complement outdoor activities set against rocky, desert landscapes.
