Check out our Verde Fact Sheet here.

The Verde River is roughly 170 miles long. It begins below the dam at Sullivan Lake in Yavapai County and passes two dams before it becomes a tributary of the Salt River near Fountain Hills. In 1986, a 6-mile stretch of the river was identified by the state of Arizona as a critical natural resource. This reach of the Verde River and its associated riparian zone, between the town of Clarkdale and the Bridgeport State Route 89A Bridge, became part of the Arizona State Parks system. The park, called the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, encompasses 480 acres. The Verde boasts a lush riparian habitat that draws many wildlife watchers and recreationists year-round. Canoeing and kayaking are favorite pastimes. The Verde River and surrounding riparian corridor support nearly twenty threatened or endangered species including river otter, Southwestern Bald Eagles, Southwestern Willow Flycatchers, and lowland leopard frogs.