Dead Horse Ranch State Park has 423 acres, 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 of the Verde River.
The ranch got its name when the Ireys family came to Arizona from Minnesota in the late 1940s looking to buy a ranch. At one property they discovered a dead horse lying by the road. When Mr. Ireys asked the kids which ranch they liked best, they said, “the one with the dead horse.” The family named it “Dead Horse Ranch,” and when Arizona State Parks acquired the park in 1973, the Ireys made retaining the name a condition of sale.
Thank you for visiting!
DEAD HORSE RANCH
1-877-MYPARKS | azstateparks.com
Hiking TrailsTrails are located within the park and the adjacent Coconino National Forest. Trailheads are located north of the lagoon area or at the end of Flycatcher Road.Canopy: A 0.25-mile ADA-accessible trail that loops under a Fremont cottonwood tree canopy. Bird watching and wildlife viewing abound.Creosote: 0.5-mile shortcut trail. Shared-use.Dead Horse Trail System: A non-motorized 20+ mile shared-use mix of double track and single track trails. Four trailheads throughout the park lead up to the high desert of Coconino National Forest. The Lime Kiln Trail leg follows a portion of the historic Lime Kiln Wagon Road from Cottonwood to Sedona. Hikers and equestrians are encouraged to travel counterclockwise on the basic loop — Lime Kiln, Thumper, and Raptor Trails. Mountain bikers usually find that starting at the Roadrunner trailhead and riding the loop clockwise is more fun. For most cyclists, the trail is rated intermediate to expert.Forest Loop: A 0.5-mile shared-use loop trail that circles around and through a diversely forested area with river access.Hickey Ditch: A 0.5-mile shared-use trail that follows along the Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of willow, netleaf hackberry, Arizona black walnut, and mesquite trees. Intersects with Quail Wash Trail. The trailhead is located at north end of the west lagoon parking lot.Mesa: A 1-mile loop that circles the top of the hill west of Red-Tail Hawk campground with scenic views.Quail Wash: A 0.25-mile trail that intersects with Hickey Ditch Trail. Hikers and bicycles only.Tavasci Marsh: 1-mile shared-use trail.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-5283 | 1-877-MYPARKSazstateparks.com/dead-horse
Established 1957
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Nearby ParksIf you’re having a great time here, don’t forget to visit one of the four nearby state parks!Jerome State Historic Park (10 miles) This park reveals the story of the city of Jerome inside the historic Douglas Mansion. The museum features photographs, artifacts, and minerals in addition to a video presentation and a 3-D model of the town with its underground mines. (928) 634-5381 Fort Verde State Historic Park (19 miles) Experience living history and life through the eyes of a frontier soldier. The fort was a base for General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers in the 1870s and 1880s. From 1865 – 1891, Camp Lincoln, Camp Verde, and Fort Verde were home to officers, doctors, families, enlisted men, and scouts. (928) 567-3275
Staying in the Park
Cabins
Firearms
In addition to the Park Rules, please observe the following when entering and staying in the park:• Park fees are per vehicle, unless the vehicle
is in-tow.• Stay limit is 14 days in a 30-day period.• Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 8 a.m.• No loud music or public address systems.• Check-in time for visitors with reservations is
2 p.m.• Checkout time is noon.
The park has camping cabins available for reservation. Each cabin has a covered porch, a full-sized bed, two sets of bunk beds, a table with chairs, electricity, lights, heating and air conditioning, and a locking door. Campers must supply their own linens or sleeping bags. Restrooms and showers are within walking distance. Cabins sleep up to six people.Check-in time for cabins is 3 p.m. Checkout time is 10 a.m.Reserve a camping cabin and start your park adventure at azstateparks.com/cabins.
Discharging firearms within the park is prohibited! This includes BB and pellet guns, bows, and slingshots.
While visiting the park, please help us protect this special space for your future enjoyment.General Information• Please practice “Leave No Trace” and pack
out what you bring in.• Drive your vehicle only on designated paved
surfaces• Park your vehicle only in designated parking
areas. Do not park your vehicle on the side of the road.
• Stay on designated trails.• Do not use glass containers in the park.• All of our parks adhere to firearm and hunting
regulations. Please familiarize yourself with this information.
Fires• Fires are only allowed in approved,
designated fire rings or grills. Fires must always be attended.
• Do not gather firewood in the parks. Firewood is for sale in our park stores.
• Fireworks are not permitted in state parks.• You can find up-to-date fire restrictions at
azstateparks.com/dead-horse.Camping• Campgrounds are limited to up to six adults
and up to 12 people total. • We have designated dump facilities at the
park for your convenience.Boating• Watercraft regulations are in place for your
safety. Please review these before heading out on the water!
• Only kayaks, canoes, and boats powered by oars are permitted on lagoons.
• Paddleboarding is not permitted on lagoons.Pets• Keep your pets on a maximum six-foot leash
at all times. Do not leave pets unattended.• Pick up after your pet.• For additional information related to pets,
visit our website or ask park staff.Additional Information• Do not hang hammocks from our trees.• Contain all grey water.• Do not wash RVs or vehicles in the park.• Do not use generators.• Do not swim in the lagoons.We hope you have an enjoyable and safe experience in our parks! All guidelines for this park can be viewed on our website at azstateparks.com.
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Contour Interval: 20 Feet Created by: ASPT GIS Team Date: 3/11/2019
Trail Code Trail Name Uses*mi km
AN Arroyo Nature 0.4 0.7 BDEHBO Bones #180 5.9 9.5 BDEHCA Canopy 0.2 0.3 BDEHCN Coconino 0.6 0.9 BDEHCR Creosote 0.3 0.5 BDEHEL East Lagoon Loop 0.9 1.4 BDHFL Forest Loop 0.7 1.1 BDEH
HD Hickey Ditch 1.5 2.4 BDEHJA Jail 1.3 2.1 BDEHKI Kish 1.3 2.0 BDEHLK Lime Kiln #82 15.8 25.5 BDEHLC Lime Kiln Connector 0.2 0.4 BDEHME Mesa 1.6 2.6 BDEHML Middle Lagoon Loop 0.5 0.8 BDHRH Raptor Hill Loop (In Park) 1.0 1.6 BDEHRH Raptor Hill (In Forest) 4.7 7.5 BDEHRL River Loop 1.2 1.9 BDEH
TM Tavasci Marsh 0.9 1.5 BDEHVR Verde River Greenway 2.1 3.4 BDEHWL West Lagoon Loop 0.5 0.7 BDH
Length One Way
* B=Mountain Bike D=Dog E=Equestrian H=Hike