Looking for a quick break from Phoenix? Consider visiting the Verde Valley

If you've been looking to get away from Phoenix, a short drive up to the Verde Valley might be the perfect choice.

The region spans about 714 square miles in the geographic center of Arizona. It takes its name from the Verde River that runs through it, one of the last free-flowing river systems in the state.

In addition to delivering clean drinking water to more than 2 million people in the greater Phoenix area, the river system also provides habitat for numerous species of fish and wildlife.

The Verde Valley, which is overlooked by Mingus Mountain and the Mogollon Rim, is also home to numerous well-preserved historic sites, perfect for anyone interested in learning more about the ancient history of Arizona.

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Where is the Verde Valley?

There are nine different cities and towns spread throughout the Verde Valley, each with its own unique character and attractions.

Camp Verde is the southernmost city in the Verde Valley, sitting at the intersection of Interstate 17 and State Route 260.

At this point, visitors can either continue traveling northwest on SR 260 toward Clarkdale, Cornville, Jerome and Cottonwood, or follow I-17 through Lake Montezuma, Rimrock and McGuireville.

The latter route can take drivers to State Route 179, where they can continue heading north toward the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona.

What is the Verde Valley known for?

The Verde Valley is one of only three regions in the state known for its winegrowing.

The gentle slopes across the region allow for easier vineyard management, and the significant difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures slows the maturity of the grapes. That extends the growing season, leading to more complex wine flavors as a result.

Established in 2009, the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College offers hands-on education about the industry from vineyard to bottle while also operating a tasting room that is open to the public.

The area also features numerous preserved ancient sites.

Camp Verde is home to the Montezuma Castle National Monument, a set of well-preserved dwellings built by the Sinagua people between approximately A.D. 1100 and 1425. The main structure includes about 20 rooms across five stories built over the course of three centuries.

Nearby, you also can check out the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley at the V Bar V Heritage Site.

Montezuma Well, a detached unit of the national monument about 11 miles northeast of Montezuma Castle, is a natural limestone sinkhole through which 1.5 million gallons of water emerge each day from an underground spring.

If you're in Clarkdale, just a few miles east you can find the Tuzigoot National Monument, a multistory pueblo ruin.

Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.

The Republic’s coverage of northern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. To support regional Arizona news coverage like this, make a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Verde Valley is a short drive from Phoenix. What to do while there