Fort Verde State Historic Park

Discover Arizona’s history and what life was like during the Indian Wars at Fort Verde State Historic Park.

What was life like on the frontier of the Indian wars? That’s just what you’ll find out at ADA-accessible Fort Verde State Historic Park. Now with many of the fort’s original buildings still standing, living history tours and demonstrations are given to provide visitors with insight into the daily operations.

History & Nature

From the 1870s through the 1880s, Fort Verde State Historic Park served as a base for General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers during the Central Arizona Indian Wars. There are four surviving buildings standing on the site that are not only important as historical symbols, but also for their architectural significance. The park is Arizona’s best-preserved example of an Indian Wars period fort. Home to a variety of desert plants and animals, including mesquite trees, prickly pear cacti, coyotes, and javelinas.

Things To Do

Visitors can tour the former Military Headquarters building, which also serves as a museum with artifacts, photos and videos related to the Indian Wars and the lives of the people residing at Fort Verde. The other historic buildings on site—the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, the Bachelors’ Quarters and the Doctor’s and Surgeon’s Quarters—are furnished with décor from the 1880s and open for tours. At the visitor center you’ll find authentic relics gathered throughout the fort's history, along with informational exhibits about the Indian Scouts and the Indian War era.