Wickenburg is one hour northwest of Phoenix and one hour southwest of Prescott. Its high Sonoran desert setting, relaxing lifestyle, rich arts and cultural resources make Wickenburg a destination for visitors, new residents and employers. The town boasts a rich history that lives on today. In 1863, Henry Wickenburg discovered gold in the area where townsfolk had established their homes and businesses. Incorporated in 1909, many of the town’s historic buildings are from the heyday of the Vulture Mine, the richest gold producer in Arizona history. In the early 1900s, local ranchers began ushering in tourists who wanted to experience the American west. Wickenburg became the “Dude Ranch Capital of the World” and is now approaching another status as the “Team Roping Capital of Arizona.”

Principal Economic Activities

Wickenburg is the trading area for the Hassayampa Valley region. This area touts a diversified economy based on tourism, second-home residents and behavioral health and other medical facilities including the award-winning Wickenburg Community Hospital and Surgical Center. The community is the center of a 30,000-person trade area, and is also home to companies producing products for national and international markets. Wickenburg has an in-town business airpark and an outlying area for a proposed rail-based park. It is located on Highways 60 and 93 as well as the proposed I-11 route connecting Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Scenic Attractions

Wickenburg has something to offer everyone, including guest ranches, brand name motels, quaint family-run bed & breakfast inns, unique shops, art and cultural attractions and a historic downtown area where many of the heritage events are held annually. Outdoor destinations include the Hassayampa River Preserve, managed by Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department, and a riparian habitat where bird watching and hiking are offered. The Wickenburg area offers biking, golfing, team roping and jeep trails. Historic sites include Vulture Mine, Saguaro Movie Theatre, Garcia Little Red Schoolhouse, Robson’s Ranch & Mining Camp and more than 25 structures on the National Historic Register. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided walking tour of historic buildings, outdoor art and bronze statues. The Webb Center for the Performing Arts brings in national entertainment from November through April in a 600 seat state-of-the-art center. The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is a national destination for western art and annually hosts Cowgirl Up!, a who’s who of today’s western women artists.

Community Facilities

Wickenburg offers a wide range of amenities such as parks, picnic ramadas, playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball, a swimming pool, multi-complex softball and baseball fields, soccer fields, a skate board park, rodeo grounds, team roping arenas, hiking trails, a Tesla Supercharger station, state-of-the art medical facilities, a performing arts center, digital learning programs, senior citizen services and three golf courses. The Wickenburg Visitor’s Center is housed in the 1895 restored Santa Fe Depot on Frontier Street. Nearby is the Wickenburg Public Library, Town of Wickenburg Complex, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, parks, restaurants, retail stores and Wickenburg Art Club Studio. The community combines facilities to host annual heritage events including the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce sponsored Gold Rush Days & Rodeo each February.