Resort at a Glance: Apple Creek Cottages

Apple Creek Cottages occupy a quaint setting worthy of a storybook. Set on 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens next to Prescott National Forest’s ponderosa pines, these cottages exude rustic country style. You’ll be within minutes of downtown Prescott but feel hidden away in the trees.

• Where you’ll stay: Each cottage includes a full or partial kitchen and a patio; cottages 10 and 12 also have fireplaces.
• Cook burgers on the grill in the grassy courtyard or have a bonfire with s’mores at night.
• Pets are welcome for an additional fee.
• Head into town: Prescott’s restaurants, shops, and historical courtyard plaza are a four-minute drive away.
• Activities in the forest: hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and fishing at Lynx Lake

Prescott, Arizona: Historical Mountain Town Encircled by Wilderness

A mile up in the mountains of Arizona’s central highlands, Prescott maintains small-town charm with a Wild West touch. Across the street from the courthouse plaza you’ll find the saloons of Whiskey Row—a historical block of bars once frequented by notorious outlaws and cowboys. Push through the swinging doors of the Palace Restaurant and Saloon and you can sit at a bar where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were known to wet their whistles.

There’s a ton of outdoor activities here as well. Trek up the steep paved paths of iconic Thumb Butte and pause at the summit for panoramic views, or try your hand at rock climbing at the Granite Mountain Wilderness. About a 10-minute drive north of town, Watson Lake Park is a popular spot for kayaking and fishing. Many families favor the park’s short hiking trails through rocky, high-desert landscapes.