Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Dead Horse Ranch State Park Dead Horse Ranch is an Arizona State Park with campgrounds, lagoons, and lots of hiking trails. We encourage interaction and discussion on any of our posts.
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SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Arizona State Parks strongly believes that social media is a tool for consumers and communities to receive updates. We believe firmly that social media must be a safe space for all participants to engage in full and fair dialogue. All posters are encouraged to agree or disagree on any positions on any of our social media outlets. We remind individuals who post, that children,

youth and families have access to all of these posts and we want to maximize participation that is free from intimidation or bullying. Name-calling, intimidation or bullying of other social media participants will never be tolerated. Abusive, excessively disruptive and harassing posts will also be considered prohibitive of the fair and safe space we intend to maintain. Posts with unrelated information or political agendas will be removed. We will monitor communications and take appropriate action in order to ensure that these policies are consistently adhered to.

The first annual Dead Horse Ranch State Park Birding Photo Contest starts today! Submissions are open via https://azstat...
09/01/2026

The first annual Dead Horse Ranch State Park Birding Photo Contest starts today! Submissions are open via https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse and submissions end on September 20th with winners announced on the 26th. Please visit our site for further terms and conditions as well as the submission portal. 3 photos can be submitted per person, no AI can be used, and you must own the photo. Photos must have been taken at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. First place prize is one night at one of our beautiful cabins. Second place prize is a day use pass. Photos will be judged by a panel of Park Rangers. We look forward to seeing what beautiful birds you’ve see throughout the park!

08/30/2026

Dead Horse Ranch is putting on our first Annual Bird Photo Contest! We’re excited to announce that from September 1st to September 26th you will have the opportunity to submit up to 3 photos per participant in order to win a free night at one of our beautiful cabins! The winners will be announced on September 26th which will also be Verde River Day here at the park! Further information, rules, and the official submission portal will be posted on September first!

Just a quick reminder that our washes in the park can easily flood out when heavy rain hits! Stay safe during this monso...
08/30/2026

Just a quick reminder that our washes in the park can easily flood out when heavy rain hits! Stay safe during this monsoon season by checking weather conditions, not entering waters of unknown depths, and especially not driving through currently flooding roads.

08/24/2026

Day-use Gates Time Change Starting Today
Open: 6 A.M.
Close: 7 P.M.

08/23/2026

Come to our Junior Ranger and Junior Buddy event! On September 5th at 9AM meet us at our Jay Loop Ramadas to complete the Junior Ranger and Buddy booklets, go on a short hike with a Ranger, and learn about our local plants and animals! The event is included with your regular entry fee ($20 for a vehicle with 2-4 people). Children that are 6 and under are free.

Remember to look up when out on the trails! You never may know who is watching... 👀In this case, Ranger Aaron was patrol...
08/19/2026

Remember to look up when out on the trails! You never may know who is watching... 👀
In this case, Ranger Aaron was patrolling the Hickey Ditch trail when we felt eyes on him. He looked around and saw a Great Horned Owl looking down from a cottonwood tree! 🦉🌳
Although Owls are primarily nocturnal, it is not uncommon to see them during they day in a shaded canopy. Keep your eyes up to possibly see some golden eyes looking down!

08/16/2026

You never know what lurks within the Verde River! Help us keep one of Arizona’s only Wild and Scenic Rivers clean and clear of trash!

⚠️ The Verde River Trail from Kingfisher Rd and Owl Rd will be closed due to hazardous conditions created by the monsoon...
08/13/2026

⚠️ The Verde River Trail from Kingfisher Rd and Owl Rd will be closed due to hazardous conditions created by the monsoon rains ⚠️
Please use caution when hiking in and after stormy conditions.

Pictured is the Verder River Trail along the debris filled Verde River.

08/12/2026

When checking on Rattlesnake Wash after the heavy rainfall, we realized we weren't alone! This baby skunk was also stunned by the power of flooding water! 🖤🤍🦨
It's mom taught it well as the little skunk stomped their front legs to let us know this spot was taken and it was time for us to move on, which we promptly did.

08/09/2026

Not your average PSA! A question we keep getting is “How’s the Verde River for swimming right now?” And we have the answer! Although a large amount of mud and other debris have been brought into the river from our latest monsoons, it is still a-okay to swim in! Just be aware of any possible debris and always consider weather conditions. We hope you enjoy your time here in the park!

Address

675 Dead Horse Ranch Road
Cottonwood, AZ
86326

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 7pm
Tuesday 6am - 7pm
Wednesday 6am - 7pm
Thursday 6am - 7pm
Friday 6am - 7pm
Saturday 6am - 7pm
Sunday 6am - 7pm

Telephone

+19286345283

Website

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