Chino Valley At-A-Glance

With a population of around 8,000, the Town of Chino Valley is the smallest of the Tri-Cities. It's also more rural than either Prescott Valley or Prescott. Spaces are wide open and you can see forever.

If it’s a larger parcel of land you seek, Chino Valley is a place to find it. The town also has attracted some land developers and builders, who are busy creating planned communities.

Once the Territorial Capital of Arizona, Chino Valley is located 115 miles from Phoenix and sits at an elevation of 4,750 feet. US Army Cavalry Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple, named the town using the Mexican word “Chino” for the abundant, curly, grass that grows in the area.

In 1864, the Territorial Capital of Arizona was moved to Prescott, 16 miles south of Chino Valley. The Town was incorporated in 1970.

Chino Valley has always supported agriculture. Residents have grown corn, alfalfa and pinto beans. They’ve also raised horses and cattle. To this day, homeowners in many areas are permitted to have horses, chickens and other non-domestic animals on their property

Some of the recreational activities Chino Valley residents enjoy include:
• Visiting historical landmarks
• Taking scenic drives
• Hiking in the Prescott National Forest -- 1.2 million acres surrounding the community
• Riding on horse trails
• Fishing, camping, and other lake activities are within an hour’s drive at Watson, Goldwater and Lynx Lakes to the south.

Proud of their heritage, the people of Chino Valley enjoy big festivities for Fourth of July and Labor Day, when the town hosts a First Territorial Capital celebration that includes a Territorial Days Rodeo.

The Rodeo kicks off with a barbecue and dance and provides a weekend full of entertainment for all ages, including a pancake breakfast and sweet corn dinner. The Fourth of July festivities usually end with one of the finest fireworks displays in the Tri Cities.

Chino Valley provides a variety of community services, including:

• Library
• Senior center
• Social services office
• Park
• Community center with tennis, basketball and volleyball courts
• Sports fields for the play of baseball, football and soccer
• A privately operated Medical Center/Urgent Care Facility

In addition, The Yavapai County Regional Medical Center is about 16 miles south – a 20-minute drive depending on traffic – in Prescott. And Prescott also is home to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital on the site of the original Fort Whipple.

For more information about the community:

Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce
City of Chino Valley