Tri-City Guide

The Tri-City area of Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Chino Valley can be found in Yavapai County in the middle of Arizona’s high desert. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.

The sun is nearly always high in the sky and casts a blanket of warmth across the area during all four seasons. The temperature is mild compared to the Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest. Highs are around 85 degrees on summer days, but it typically cools off further at night. In the winter, lows during the day reach down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the desert atmosphere cools everything down further to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is moderate – 45% year-round.

No matter what time of year, the temperatures in the Prescott area remain 15 to 20 degrees cooler than in the valley around Phoenix. This makes Prescott an especially attractive summer haven for Phoenicians wanting to escape the heat, especially since it's only a 90-minute drive away.

Rainfall averages 15 inches for the year. The highest levels of rain occur in July and August, when the area experiences its “monsoons”. During monsoon season, clouds gather, thunder rumbles, lightening crackles, and if we’re lucky, a nice downpour results. Shortly thereafter, the sun comes out and quickly dries up the evidence.

Spring brings budding and leafing of deciduous trees along the highways and byways. Fall offers great photo opportunities as the leaves turn red, orange and yellow before tumbling to the seasonally colder, harder ground. Snow can fly in winter, but over the past few years has been minimal and melted within a day or two at most.

Prescott National Forest surrounds the Tri-City area, with acres and acres of Ponderosa Pine Trees (along with tons of hiking, horseback riding and off-roading trails to explore). Two more natural "Prescott Wonders" include the 1.5 billion-year-old boulders that tower over Watson and Willow Lakes and Thumb Butte, the mountain shaped like a thumb. You can see it standing guard over Prescott when you look west of town.

• Prescott At-A-Glance
Where you can learn more about Prescott, including Prescott developments.

• Prescott Valley At-A-Glance
Where you can learn more about Prescott Valley, including Prescott Valley developments.

• Chino Valley At-A-Glance
Where you can learn more about Chino Valley, including Chino Valley developments.

• Calendar of Events
Want to know what's going on in the Tri-City area? Check out all the events. Coming soon.

• Community Calendar
Find out what Tri-City nonprofits, clubs and associations are up to. Coming soon.

• Business Guide
Perfect for business relocations – see what businesses are available to assist your business. Coming soon.

Community members – we need your help. If you know of any additions, deletions or changes to any of these guides, please contact us and let us know.