Located north of Phoenix in the central Arizona mountains, Prescott is a beautiful destination where you and your family enjoys a warm dry climate and surroundings of magnificent scenery. Prescott National Forest to the west and Coconino National Forest to the east provide settings for a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and fishing are the best outdoor activities. The area’s frontier historic ambiance offers abundant opportunities for sightseeing at museums, national monuments, shows, and festivals. Here are some of the best places to look for a Prescott, Arizona vacation rental.
1. Prescott City, Arizona
Surrounded by reminders of the old west history and heritage of the area, vacation rentals in Prescott offer convenient access to an abundance of recreational activities. The Phippen Western Museum, Sharlot Hall Museum, and Smoki Museum offer displays of artwork and memorabilia commemorating the region’s Native American and cowboy past. The Heritage Park Zoo features local wildlife and exotic animals from around the world and is a perfect place to take the kids. Particularly fascinating is one of the largest spider displays in the world, which features its famous Tarantula Grotto. For golfing enthusiasts, Prescott has four major courses inside the city limits. Within the city are 16 parks, three lakes and over 450 miles of trails where you can hike, cycle, ride horseback, go boating and observe nature.
2. Prescott Valley, Arizona
Situated seven miles east of the city of Prescott, vacation rentals in the town of Prescott Valley are in the midst of a natural setting of the national forests on either side, the Mingus Mountains to the north, and the Bradshaw Mountains to the south. Look closely and you may catch a glimpse of pronghorn antelopes or white-tailed deer in the surrounding meadows. The many parks and walks along the abundant trails make ideal locations for family picnics. When you need to cool down, you can head for the outdoor aquatic center known as Mountain Valley Splash.
3. Chino Valley, Arizona
Vacation rentals in Chino Valley are about 16 miles north of Prescott City. The town features open spaces, warm weather, scenic views of the surrounding mountains and convenient proximity to recreational activities at the nearby national forests. At Memory Park, enjoy the picnic tables, playground, walking trail and sports facilities. You can all go for a cool swim while the kids enjoy the water slide at the Chino Valley Aquatic Center.
4. Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona
Located 13 miles southeast of the city of Prescott, vacation rentals in the town of Dewey-Humboldt are surrounded by a warm desert climate. Head for Mortimer Farms, a popular family-friendly area attraction, for its annual harvest parties and pumpkin festivals. Its Farm Park offers the kids proximity to farm animals, old-fashioned farm rides, and an interactive agricultural display. The exhibits at the Dewey-Humboldt Museum provide a fascinating look at the history of the region.
5. Williamson Valley, Arizona
Vacation rentals in Williamson Valley adjoin Prescott National Forest. Located about 10 miles northeast of Prescott, the Williams Valley Trailhead provides access to the forest on the east side of Granite Mountain. Explore the trails through the popular Granite Mountain Wilderness on foot or by horseback. The area has spectacular scenery and is renowned for offering some of the best rock climbing opportunities in Arizona.
6. Cottonwood, Arizona
Situated in the beautiful Verde Valley northeast of Prescott, vacation rentals in the city of Cottonwood offer a more moderate climate than the extreme heat and cold of the lower desert elevations. Head for Main Street in Old Town and check out the antique stores, galleries, wine tasting rooms and restaurants. Nearby Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers recreational activities such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding, canoeing, and fishing. Tuzigoot National Monument provides a fascinating look at an ancient Native American pueblo. Watch for mule deer, desert cottontails and an abundance of migrating bird species.
7. Camp Verde, Arizona
Vacation rentals in Camp Verde are close to the Verde River, where you can often spot otters, beavers, blue herons, hawks, and eagles. Panoramic forest-covered mountains surround the town, making it a perfect jumping-off point for outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. For a fascinating look at a military fort built in the late 19th century, visit Fort Verde State, Historic Park. Pueblo Native Americans left dwellings high on the sides of cliffs at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Go on an exciting safari adventure with the kids at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park.
8. Sedona, Arizona
Located northeast of Prescott in the upper Sonoran Desert, the city of Sedona is renowned for its amazing red sandstone rock formations. Nearby fun and adventurous activities include hot air balloon tours, river rafting, and riding a Jeep into the back country. Playing a round of golf surrounded by the clean air and spectacular scenery of Sedona is a relaxing and revitalizing experience. The vintage train run by the Grand Canyon Railroad offers a unique way to visit the Grand Canyon. When you’re in a more contemplative mood, you can relax at a spa or peruse the local and international art in Sedona’s many galleries.