The Best Things to Do with Kids in Yavapai County

 Yavapai County deserves a lot more attention from families.

People often think of the area as a retirement destination, a peaceful mountain escape, or a place to spend a quiet weekend. Those things are all true. But bring the kids along for a day of exploring and you quickly see another side of this part of Arizona.

There are lakes to paddle, rocks to climb, trains to ride, ghost towns to explore, animals to meet, rodeos to cheer for, and stories dating back hundreds of years.

If you are looking for ways to spend a day with the kids or grandkids, these are some of the places worth putting at the top of your list.

Watson Lake: A Prescott Favorite

Watson Lake is one of those places where people pull into the parking lot, look around, and stop talking for a second.

The lake sits among the massive granite formations of the Granite Dells, creating one of the most recognizable scenes in the Prescott area.

Kids have plenty to keep them busy. They can climb over rocks, watch birds along the shoreline, search for great blue herons, or get out on the water in a kayak or paddleboard.

The surrounding scenery makes the whole area feel like a giant outdoor playground.

Bring snacks, plenty of water, and give yourself more time than you think you need. Families have a habit of staying longer than planned.

The Prescott Rodeo and Frontier Days

Few things get a child’s attention faster than a bucking bronco charging out of the chute.

Prescott Frontier Days has been part of the community for generations, and rodeo week brings a special kind of energy to town.

Families can watch barrel racing, bull riding, bronc riding, roping events, and plenty of cowboy action inside the arena.

Then there is the annual parade through downtown Prescott, where families line the streets around Courthouse Plaza to watch horses, floats, cowboys, community groups, and marching bands make their way through town.

For kids who have never experienced a rodeo before, the noise, excitement, horses, and crowd make quite an impression.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle has a wonderful way of getting kids curious.

Located near Camp Verde, the monument preserves an impressive cliff dwelling built by the Sinagua people hundreds of years ago.

The structure rises high above the valley floor inside a limestone cliff, and once children see it, the questions usually start.

How did people get up there?

What did they eat?

Where did they sleep?

How did they build it without modern equipment?

Those questions turn a simple visit into a history lesson without feeling like school.

Junior Ranger activities also give younger visitors another way to learn while exploring the site.

If you have time, continue toward Tuzigoot National Monument near Cottonwood. The hilltop pueblo offers a completely different look at the region’s history along with wide views across the Verde Valley.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

The name usually gets a laugh from the kids before you even arrive.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park sits along the Verde River near Cottonwood and gives families an easy place to slow down and spend time outside.

You will find fishing lagoons, shaded trails, wildlife, picnic areas, and access to the river.

The fishing ponds are especially popular with families, and the relatively gentle terrain makes the park a good choice for younger children.

Pack lunch, bring the fishing gear, and give the kids some room to explore.

Jerome: Arizona’s Mountain Ghost Town

Jerome looks like someone decided to build a town on the side of a mountain and refused to let gravity interfere.

The historic mining town sits high above the Verde Valley on Cleopatra Hill and is filled with narrow streets, old buildings, shops, galleries, and reminders of its copper mining past.

Kids often enjoy Jerome because the whole town feels slightly unusual.

One street seems to sit directly above another. Buildings hug the hillside. Old mining equipment appears around corners. Everywhere you look, there seems to be another story.

Jerome State Historic Park gives families a closer look at the town’s mining history.

You can also visit the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town outside town, where old vehicles, machinery, mining equipment, and other historic pieces create an experience kids tend to remember.

The drive into Jerome also gives you some outstanding views across the Verde Valley.

Sharlot Hall Museum

If you want to introduce children to Prescott history without spending the entire day telling them not to touch anything, Sharlot Hall Museum is a great choice.

Located near downtown Prescott, the museum includes historic buildings spread across an outdoor campus.

Families can walk through structures connected to Arizona’s territorial history, including the Governor’s Mansion, Fort Misery, historic homes, and other exhibits.

The experience feels much more personal than looking at artifacts behind glass.

Kids get to walk through buildings, see how people once lived, and start connecting Prescott’s modern streets with the community that existed generations ago.

Verde Canyon Railroad

Sometimes the best family adventure involves sitting down and letting someone else do the driving.

The Verde Canyon Railroad departs from Clarkdale and travels through scenery many visitors would never otherwise get to see.

The route passes through canyon walls, rugged desert country, rock formations, historic areas, and wildlife habitat.

Open-air viewing cars give families a chance to step outside and watch the scenery roll past.

Turn the trip into a wildlife challenge for the kids. Have them watch for eagles, herons, deer, javelinas, and other animals along the route.

The ride works especially well for younger children, grandparents, or family members who want to experience Arizona scenery without a long hike.

Reservations are a smart idea during popular travel seasons.

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in Prescott gives families a close look at animals while keeping education at the center of the visit.

The sanctuary cares for animals that are unable to return to the wild.

Depending on the residents during your visit, children might see mountain lions, wolves, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife.

The smaller setting creates a more personal experience than a large metropolitan zoo.

Kids often spend more time studying each animal, reading its story, and learning why the animal lives at the sanctuary.

For younger children, a morning visit often works well before the afternoon gets busy.

Explore the Granite Dells

Watson Lake gets much of the attention, but the Granite Dells deserve some exploring of their own.

The giant rounded rocks create trails, viewpoints, and scenery you will not find in many other places.

One easy way to experience the area is along the Peavine Trail.

The trail follows part of an old railroad route and gives families views of Watson Lake and the surrounding granite formations without requiring an extreme hike.

Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the temperatures are comfortable and the changing light brings out the shapes and textures in the rocks.

Sometimes the best family memories come from simple moments.

A walk.

A lake.

A strange rock formation.

A child asking one question after another.

Yavapai County gives families plenty of opportunities for all of them.

There Is Always Something Else to Explore

One of the best parts about raising children, visiting grandchildren, or simply spending family time in Yavapai County is knowing you rarely run out of places to go.

One weekend might mean kayaking at Watson Lake.

The next might include a train ride through the Verde Canyon.

Another Saturday might take you fishing in Cottonwood, exploring Jerome, learning about Arizona history, or watching cowboys compete under the lights at the rodeo.

You do not have to see everything at once.

Pick one place, pack the car, bring the kids, and see where the day takes you.

For a closer look at living in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, or the surrounding Yavapai County communities, call West USA Realty of Prescott at 928-636-1500 or visit www.westusaofprescott.com.

The team at West USA Realty of Prescott will connect you with an experienced licensed real estate professional who understands the local market and the communities that make this part of Arizona such a special place to call home.

Your next move starts here.

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