Cottonwood sits at approximately 3,300 feet elevation in Arizona's Verde Valley, creating milder temperatures than Phoenix while maintaining warm desert conditions. Campgrounds in this area often serve as basecamp for exploring Sedona's red rocks, Jerome's historic mining town, and the ancient ruins at Tuzigoot National Monument. RV sites near Cottonwood remain accessible year-round, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September.
What to do
Creek access: Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort offers river access with several hiking trails. "River access is available at site C which we stayed at and our furbabies loved it! Sedona is only 45 mins from here so an even bigger two thumbs up!" according to Rebecca N. at Thousand Trails Verde Valley.
Explore local ruins: Camp Verde provides easy access to prehistoric sites. "A great base camp for those seeking a comfortable and amenity-rich camping experience near Montezuma, Tuzigoot and Out of Africa," notes Brooke from Rancho Verde RV Park.
Wine tasting: Several campgrounds sit near local vineyards. "A short walk across what the property will find you at Alcantara Winery. It was the perfect place to end our day of exploring the area," shares Kaysha R. about Thousand Trails Verde Valley.
Jerome day trips: The historic mining town perched on Mingus Mountain offers unique shops and restaurants. "Close by is Jerome and Sedona for things to do," mentions Patti S., noting the easy access from camp.
What campers like
Pool facilities: Many campers appreciate swimming pools during hot summer days. "This place is huge! Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape. The sites are well-spaced, and the amenities include a pool, hot tub, 2 dog parks, hiking trails, river access and clubhouse," notes Paulina B.
Creek swimming: Natural water access provides relief from heat. "There is a creek down behind the resort where you can cool off," reports Patti S. about Zane Grey RV Village, adding that temperatures stay "consistently 5 degrees below the towns of Camp Verde and Cottonwood."
Natural shade: Some RV parks offer tree cover for summer comfort. "Lots of trees are everywhere providing shade. A nice breeze is always blowing," mentions Patti S. about Zane Grey, which Cal B. confirms has "consistently 5 degrees below the towns of Camp Verde and Cottonwood" temperatures.
Walking trails: Many campgrounds connect to nearby trails. "This RV park is just between cottonwood and Clarkdale, a little off the beaten path, which makes it very quiet while still easy to get to everything. Overlooks beautiful public land," notes Anja S. from Rain Spirit RV Resort.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds from nearby roads. "There is hwy noise from I-17 which is close," notes Mark M. about Verde Ranch RV Resort, while Thomas S. observes "Only downside is I-17 is way too close constant road noise when you're outside."
Cell service variables: Internet access varies significantly between properties. "Internet is almost non-existent. I had a T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon phone, and all were pretty much worthless most of the time," reports Steve N. about Thousand Trails Verde Valley, though other parks like Verde Ranch offer "reliable internet access."
Summer temperatures: Expect high heat during summer months. "The Arizona heat can be intense during the summer months, so keep that in mind when planning your trip, swim when you can at any of the local swimming holes!" advises Brad/Britany B.
Reservation timing: Peak season fills facilities quickly. "We arrived late so it was very dark. The signage was very difficult to see and no one was available to help us find our spot," mentions Cindy E. from Thousand Trails Verde Valley, suggesting early arrivals are beneficial.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several RV parks cater to children with recreational facilities. "We love this campground! We have camped here around 5 times and always had a great stay. They have a pool and hot tub, mini golf, playground, pickle ball court, clubhouse, and lots of crafts and activities for the kids!" shares Mstwister E. about Verde River RV Resort & Cottages.
Scheduled activities: Many resorts offer organized entertainment. "After a hot day of exploring we'd come back to the resort and head to the pool where the staff was making complimentary snow cones. There were planned games and events along with waffles on Sunday," reports Brooke about Rancho Verde.
Game rooms: Indoor recreation helps during hot afternoons. "WOW!!! This campground has so many amenities and is very very well kept and beautiful. You can walk along the river, enjoy the pool, we had a blast in the arcade and playing shuffleboard," shares Amber W. about Verde River RV Resort.
Child-friendly trails: Look for accessible nature walks. "There are hiking trails that lead to a nearby creek, beautiful bird feeders throughout the property," notes Nichole D. about Zane Grey, which also offers "games for kids and adults" according to Beverly M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on shade and utilities. "We chose a covered site through their easy online reservation system as we were visiting in the dead of summer. We weren't super stoked on our selection once we arrived. Our hookups were in the very far back corner of the space so we needed to choose between a small sliver of shade provided by the solar cover or the reach of our dump hose," advises kristin S.
Big rig accommodation: Several parks specifically accommodate larger vehicles. "The Sedona View RV Resort is a really clean and safe Park. The Staff is friendly and help you any way they can. They have Full Hookups with 30 & 50 amp service. They do charge a KWH fee for electric for a monthly stay," notes Scott and Ariane T. about Sedona View RV Resort.
Arrival timing: Early check-in provides more site options. "Next time we will do our best to get there as early as possible (noon is the earliest to check in)...as the spots are first come/first serve. At registration they will give you a map and highlight which spots are open," advises Michael M.
Leveling requirements: Some parks have uneven terrain. "Stayed a week here and really enjoyed it. Excellent views to the north. Host was very friendly and was always offering to help. RV Park is slightly hilly so you'll need to level accordingly," notes Traveling Photographer G. about Sedona View RV Resort.
