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The Park

Despite its distinctive name, Dead Horse Ranch is situated amidst an abundance of life along the Verde River.  A six-mile reach of the river is known as the Verde River Greenway. Its unique ecosystem, the Cottonwood / 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.

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, moutain biking in the Coconino National Forest, hiking along the Verde River, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, or just wading in the cool water.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park has a USGS weather station on the premises with a real time data page available through the USGS site. Check it out!

How Dead Horse Ranch Got Its Name

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 1940's. 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.

Trails

The trails in this system are in Dead Horse Ranch State Park and in the Coconino Natinal Forest. Trail users, the Dead Horse Ranch Trails Coalition, Arizona State Parks, and the Forest Service have worked together to develop and manage this system for you enjoyment

Forest Loop: A 0.5 mile loop. Multi-use. Starts and ends in the River Day Use Area. Circles around and through a diversely forested area and provides river access by way of short narrow side trails.

Lime Kiln: A 2.1 mile trail, one way. Multi-use. This trail follows a portion of the historic Lime Kiln Wagon Road. Originally the Lime Kiln Trail, then a road, provided access to a Kiln that was constructed in the 1800's. This Kiln was used to burn limestone to create lime, which is an ingredient of the mortar needed to construct fireplaces and chimneys. Soon after the construction of the kiln, the road to the kiln was extended and used as a route between Sedona and Jerome. The remains of the kiln can still be seen beside the trail. The Lime Kiln Trail is also the southern leg of a multi-use trail loop that includes the Thumper Loop Trail* of 2.5 miles and the Raptor Hill portion of 2.5 miles. Average mountain-bike time is approximately 1 hour to complete the loop.

Mesa: A 1.2 mile loop. Interpretive. Trail can be accessed from all areas of the park. It circles on top of the hill west of the North Campgrounds and provides overlooks of the valley.

Tavasci Marsh: A 1.0 miles one way trail. Multi-use. Access from the West Lagoon parking lot or the Mesquite Day Use Area. Follow along the historic Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of Ailanthus and Mesquite trees.

Hicky Ditch: A 0.5 mil trail, one way. Multi-use. Access from the West Lagoon parking lot or the Mesquite Day Use Area. Follow along the historic Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of Ailanthus and Mesquite trees.

Quail Wash: A 0.25 mile trail, one way. Hikers, stairs, and bridges prevent equestrian use. Access from West Lagoon parking lot or the Mesquite Day Use Area. Plant diversity and flowing water in the wash make this trail popular.

Creosote: A 0.5 mile trail. Mult-use, shortcut.

Lagoon: A 0.25 mile loop. Hike, bike. Accessed from any of the lagoon parking lots, this trail allows you to take a stroll around the lagoon. We do request that horses not be taken around lagoon banks.

Verde River Greenway: A 1.5 mile loop. Multi-use. Access from the West Lagoon parking lot or the VRG interpretive building. The trail weaves through some of the best nesting habitat in the area, a bird watchers' paradise.

Riverfront: A 0.5 mile trail, one way. Multi-use. Trail is accessed from either the south end of the Dead Horse Ranch State Park Bridge or from Riverfront Park. The trail runs along the south side of the Verde River and is good for walking.

Group - Use Facilities

Facilities: A 22-site group campground is available by reservation. Most sites can accommodate 2 camping units. Two ramadas are available for group reservations in the River Day Use Area. Each ramada has a large family-size grill and picnic tables. One ramada and fire ring is available for reservation in the Mesquite Day Use Area. Individual grills and picnic tables are located throughout the area.

Amenities: Modern restroom facilities with hot water showers, large ramada, and group fire ring in the group campground, horse corrals, traiheads that connect to miles of developed trails. Multiple use trails provide access to the Verde River, a four-acre fishing lagoon, stocked periodically, and the Coconino National Forest are within close range.

Maximum Group Size: Group campground - 44 units, River day use area - 200+ people, Mesquite day use area - 100+ people.

Picnic Areas: Two

Reservation Policy and Fees: For the Group Campground there is a $25 non-refundable reservation fee. Day use areas - $10-$25 reservation fee. Reservations are taken no more than 12 months in advance. A minimum of 10 vehicles are required to qualify as a group for the campground. A minimum of five vehicles are required to qualify as a group for the day use areas.

Restrictions: None

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Ranger Station - (928) 634-5283

Park Rules

• When leaving your campsite unattended, please do something to demonstrate occupancy.
• Pets must be kept on leash and may not be left unattended. Clean up after your pet. Pets are not permitted in park buildings or ramadas.
• Firewood gathering is prohibited on park grounds.
• To extend your camping stay register by 11 am. Checkout time is 2 pm. Please check out at the Ranger Station when vacating your campsite.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m..
• Generators are prohibited in campgrounds where electric is available.
• Park stay is limited to 15 days in a 30 day period.
• Vehicles must be parked on the paved surface within each designated site.
• Grey water must be contained.
• R.V. and vehicle washing is prohibited in the park.
• Swimming and boating are prohibited in the west lagoon.
• Loaded firearms are prohibited in the park (including bows, slingshots, and airguns).

Verde River Greenway

The nearly 180-mile long Verde River is a significant resouce in Arizona. It is one of the desert's last free-flowing rivers sustaining a large regional wildlife population and a lush riparian community. In 1986, the state purchased the area that is now known as the Verde River Greenway between the Tuzigoot and Bridgeport bridges.

The Greenway encompasses nearly 480 acres and is six miles long. The 3,300 foot elevation means mild temperatures for hiking along the Verde, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, or just wading in the cool water. Life along the river changes with the season, giving visitors a glimpse of great blue heron, black hawks, coyotes, raccoons, mule deer, beavers, ducks, frogs, and toads. The Verde River and surrounding riparian corridor support nearly twenty threatened or endangered species including river otter, southwestern bald eagles, southwestern willow flycatchers, and lowland leopard frogs.

The most significant natural resource in the Greenway, besides the year-round flowing river, is the dense forest of riparian trees and shrubs along its riverbank. This Fremont Cottonwood/Gooding Willow Riparian Gallery Forest is one of five remaining stands in Arizona and one of 20 such stands in the world.

Special Programs & Events

• Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival, held the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of April
• Verde River Days, held annually the last Saturday in September, features hands-on activities, games, exhibits, entertainment, and food booths.
• Verde River Clean-up, held annually in September.
• Weekly ranger-led hikes in fall, spring and winter.
• Interpretive programs are available upon request.

Area Scenic Attractions
Cottonwood - Historic Old Town, Mingus Mountain in Prescott National Forest and Tuzigoot National Monument. Jerome - Ghost Town and Jerome State Historic Park. Camp Verde - Fort Verde State Historic Park and Montezuma Castle National Monument. Nearby - Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, Tavasci Marsh, and
the Town of Sedona.

Park Facilities
Fishing in Verde River and hiking trails.

Details
Verde River Greenway encompasses nearly 480 acres and is located off 10th Street in Cottonwood. Access is gained through Dead Horse Ranch State Park and is open 365 days a year. Park elevation is 3,300 feet. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle with up to 4 people, camping fee (in Dead Horse Ranch SP) is $12 or $19 with hookups.

Rules

• Keep pets on a leash.
• Damaging or removing the natural rocks, vegetation or public property is prohibited.
• Obey all hunting and fishing regulations.
• Prevent loud nuisance noises.

Community Facilities
Hospital, Shopping, restaurants, banks, churches, library, parks, recreation center, bowling alley, swimming pool, movie theaters, ball fields and tennis courts, Police Department, health and grocery stores, laundry facilities, automobile, and recreational vehicle repair. A unique restaurant featuring chuck wagon suppers and a western stage show is located adjacent to the park.

Verde River Greenway -
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
2011-B Kestrel Road
Cottonwood, Arizona 86326
Phone 928-639-0312
Fax 928-639-0342