Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Dead Horse Ranch Now Offers 24/7 Online Campground & Camping Cabin Reservations!

Reserve your spot (campground RV or tent site or a camping cabin) from the comfort of your home, anytime of day. Make online reservations Site reservations for this park are also available by calling the Reservation Center at (520) 586-2283. You can call 7 days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm MST. There is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee per site.

Saturdays (Starting March 24): Mountain Bike Basics

Saturdays, March 24, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5
Download Event Information ( 2.4 MB PDF)

Noon. Mountain Bike Basics will take place on Saturdays starting at Noon, and go until 4:00, "or when everyone gets tired", according to Ranger Randy Victory. "These will be beginner trail rides on the dirt, with some instruction on the pavement." Victory, a certified cycling instructor, will offer everything from basic riding techniques to trail etiquette. Although the rides are oriented towards beginners, everyone is welcome to attend (minimum age is 15-16). "There's always a certain amount of interaction between riders," explains Victory. "Group rides where the beginners are supportive of each other, and more experienced riders can offer their insight are an excellent way to build skills, and have a great time doing it. The focus is on fun!" Riders will be REQUIRED to wear a helmet and complete an Acknowledgment of Risk Form ( 57 KB PDF) (parents must sign for riders under 18 years old). They should also bring water and make sure their bike is in good working order. Flat protection (Slime tire sealant, for example) and riding gloves are recommended. The rides will start at the Raptor Trailhead at the top of Roadrunner Road in the park. For more information, call Dead Horse Ranch State Park at 928-634-5283. You can also email Ranger Victory at rvictory(at)azstateparks.gov. The Day use fee of $7.00 applies, or Annual Passes are accepted. In addition there will be a program fee of $5.00 per rider collected at the time of the ride/class.

Sundays (Starting March 25): Nature Walk

March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6

9 am. Meet at West Lagoon Parking lot, across from Trail Horse Adventures horse corrals. Nature Walks will start on Sunday mornings and last for 1-2 hours. The guided hikes will meander along riparian areas or stroll through the high desert trails within the park. Hikers need to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and wear appropriate clothing; sturdy shoes, a hat. Says hike leader Ranger Margie Sanchez, “You might want to bring binoculars and a camera, too. These hikes are a great opportunity for wildlife sightings and photo ops.” Most hikes start at the Quail Loop Campground - inquire at the gate for starting points. For more information, call Dead Horse Ranch State Park at 928-634-5283. You can also email or Ranger Sanchez a msanchez(at)azstateparks.gov with questions. The Day use fee of $7.00 applies, or Annual Passes are accepted.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a beautiful park located in the Riparian area of the Verde Valley. The park offers camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and rents Camping Cabins.The developed portion of Dead Horse Ranch State Park covers 423 acres. The 3,300 foot elevation accounts for the mild temperatures that are ideal for camping, mountain biking in the Coconino National Forest, hiking along the Verde River, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, or just wading in the cool water.

A six-mile reach of the river is known as the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area. Its unique ecosystem, the Cottonwood and Willow riparian gallery forest, is one of less than 20 such riparian zones in the world. Life along the river changes with the seasons, giving visitors a glimpse of the numerous species of raptors, neotropical migrants, resident songbirds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Camping Cabins

Eight one-room log camping cabins are available at Dead Horse Ranch by reservation. They are tucked away from the other campgrounds, making them an ideal getaway for a weekend or for the week. Learn More

How Dead Horse Ranch Got Its Name

Dead Horse Ranch design The story of the park's name begins with the Ireys family, who came to Arizona from Minnesota looking for a ranch to buy in the late 1940s. At one of the ranches they discovered a large dead horse lying by the road. After two days of viewing ranches, Dad Ireys asked the kids which ranch they liked the best. The kids said, “the one with the dead horse, Dad!” The Ireys family chose the name Dead Horse Ranch and later, in 1973, when Arizona State Parks acquired the park, the Ireys made retaining the name a condition of sale.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area are located next to each other in Cottonwood, Arizona. The Natural Area conserves the land in its natural state, so you won’t find restrooms or modern camping facilities in the Natural Area.

Use Dead Horse Ranch State Park as your base camp to enjoy the hiking, canoeing, and natural surroundings of the Verde River Greenway. Please practice “Leave No Trace” ethics.

Park Ranger Ranger Victory snapped this beautiful sunrise picture at the park in January 2012.

Lagoons Stocked

Catfish are usually stocked twice a year: National Fishing Day (in June) and Verde River Day (last Saturday in September). Trout are stocked every other week from early November through late March. Arizona Game & Fish schedules stocking; go to http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/stocking_schedule.shtml for dates.

For information on fishing throughout the state, visit Arizona Game & Fish.

Biking Video From New Year's Day 2012

After you start the video, change resolution to 480 for High Quality. Verde Valley Cyclists enjoy a ride on New Year's Day at Dead Horse Ranch SP.

Fishing Videos

After you start the video, change resolution to 480 for High Quality. Rich Edwards of Cottonwood, AZ, displays a largemouth bass he caught in the middle lagoon July, 2011.

After you start the video, change resolution to 480 for High Quality. Aaron Jackson displays a catfish caught at Dead Horse Ranch State Park's Free Fishing Day on June 12, 2010.

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