Camp Verde is a city in Yavapai County and is located along I-17 about 90 miles north of Phoenix. Gamers from the capital city and all over the state enjoy local attraction Cliff Castle Casino, which along with other tourism businesses, is a major employer. Students attend the Camp Verde Unified School District. Visitors can learn about centuries of history around Camp Verde at various attractions. The nearby Montezuma Castle National Monument contains some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the United States. The Sinagua people constructed these stone rooms on the Mogollon Rim, an area that transitions from desert to forest. Within the town limits, Fort Verde Historic State Park showcases the military history of the state at this preserved institution that operated between 1865 and 1890. Famous past resident General George Crook was based there. For a more exotic experience, visitors can take a safari in Out of Africa Park, where they can reach out and touch a giraffe. Another fun experience is participating in corniest corn joke and hog-calling contests during the annual Corn Festival held every July.