Trails Trails are located within the park and the Coconino National Forest. Trails were developed and are managed by trail users, the Dead Horse Ranch Trails Coalition, Arizona State Parks Rangers & Volunteers, and the Forest Service. Bring extra water and get an early start in summer months. Trailheads are located north of the lagoon area or at the end of Flycatcher road. Dead Horse Trail System: A nonmotorized 20+ mile shared-use mix of doubletrack & singletrack. 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 & equestrians are encouraged to travel counterclockwise on the 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: 0.5-mile loop. Shared-use. Circles around and through a diversely forested area with river access. Canopy: 0.25 mile ADA accessible trail looping under a Freemont Cottonwood tree canopy. Bird watching & wildlife viewing. Mesa: 1-mile interpretive loop. Circles top of hill west of Red-Tail Hawk Campground with scenic views. Tavasci Marsh: 1-mile shared-use trail. Quail Wash: 0.25-mile trail. Hike & bike. Stairs and bridges prevent equestrian use. Intersects with Hickey Ditch Trail. Hickey Ditch: A 0.5-mile trail. Shared-use. Follow along the historic Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of Willow, Netleaf Hackberry, AZ Black Walnut, & Mesquite trees. Intersects with Quail Wash Trail. The trailhead is located at north end of the West Lagoon parking lot. Park Rules Camping Cabins Eight one-room log Camping Cabins are available at the park by reservation. They are tucked away from the other campgrounds, making them an ideal getaway for a weekend or for the week. The cabins are variably furnished with a full size bed, a bunk bed, table & chairs, dresser-drawer, ceiling fan with overhead light, and electricity. Campers must supply their own linens. Each cabin also has a barbecue and picnic table outside. Familystyle shower facilities are only a short walk from all of the cabins. There is an electrified ramada with barbecues and a fire pit in the area that can be shared by cabin guests. Cabins have heating and cooling systems. Cabin Check-in time: 3 pm. Cabin Checkout time: 10 am. Annual Events Activities at Verde River Day (Fall) promote preservation and care of the environment by showcasing informative exhibits on the Verde River’s riparian habitat. Some of the day’s events include environmental exhibits, handson-activities, fishing, canoeing, and live entertainment. Check website for date. The Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival (Spring) celebrates nature with workshops and field trips where expert guides take visitors to the area’s birding hot spots. More than 70 field trips are offered throughout the event, many led by nationally recognized and local experts. Help us protect this special park: 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Park Phone: (928) 634-5283 Reservations: (520) 586-2283 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 numerous species. How the Park Got Its Name. The Ireys family came to Arizona from Minnesota looking to buy a ranch 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. • Maximum of 2 vehicles per campsite. • Camping fees are per vehicle. • When leaving your campsite unattended, please demonstrate occupancy. • Pets must be kept on a leash and may not be left unattended. Please clean up after your pet. Pets are not permitted in park buildings. • Gathering firewood is prohibited. • Check-in time for visitors with reservations is 2 pm. • Checkout time is Noon. • Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 8 am. • Generators are prohibited. • Amplified music / public address systems are prohibited. • Park stay is limited to 14 nights in any 30 day period. • Vehicles and trailers must be parked on paved surfaces only (including at campsites). • Grey water must be contained. • R.V. and vehicle washing is prohibited in the park. • Swimming is prohibited in the lagoons. • Oar powered boats are permitted in the lagoons. Boats must be Coast Guard approved and personal floatation devices must be worn. • Discharging firearms is prohibited in developed areas within the park (including BB & pellet guns, bows, and slingshots). Group Day Areas Two Group Day Use Areas are available. The River Day Use Area near the Verde River and the Los Alamos Day Use Area near the lagoons has 8 reservable ramadas. One Group Camping Area, Raven Loop, is available with 23 sites, restroom facilities with hot water & showers, a large ramada, and a group fire ring. Available by reservation. Contact Ranger Station. Raven Loop Camping Cabins Group/Equestrian 20 20 8 20 7 20 6 20 5 4 20 3 20 2 20 1 21 3 21 2 21 1 21 0 20 9 Cooper’s Hawk Loop Host 21 9 22 0 22 1 22 2 *22 3 Host 21 6 21 7 21 8 Trail ino con Co Blackhawk Loop 21 4 21 5 Ri Accveer ss Tent s on ly or Hill Tr a il Rapt 1 Eq u Co estr rra ian ls To Tavasci Marsh Trail Mesa In terpretive Trail 3 6 5 KIN G RO FISH AD ER Creo CH Showers Self-Pay Station Equestrian Trash Lagoon Maps not to scale Please Recycle ADA Accessible Sites: 53,108,109,127 64 ADA sites should only be used by visitors requiring the sites, unless campground is full. Quail Loop DEAD HO RSE RA N Woodpecker Circle 6 Verde River Greenway SNA Offices Lagoon 11 Ve rd e Green w er Riv Trail ay 29 26 28 8 32 12 13 27 26 43 42 31 10 Camping Cabins 30 7 To R ang er S tatio n 2 1 3 4 5 9 oon Lag River Day Use Area Shared Use Trail: Hiking, Biking, & Equestrian Shared Use Trail: Hiking & Biking 94 93 92 91 53 75 74 73 Red-Tailed 72 Hawk Loop 57 71 Electric Host 76 58 77 70 59 51 78 69 60 50 79 68 49 61 80 67 48 66 81 65 62 47 82 46 63 Electric P HERO N NORTH 10TH STREET Fish Cleaning Station Los Alamos Reservable Ramadas 55 54 44 33 34 45 14 15 16 ADA Accessible Site: 30 * Site 25 is non-electric 25* Host r ate the phi Am Cottonwood LR D Rest Rooms . RD rail LoopT t s e r Fo Hicke y Ditch Fishing Park Phone: (928) 634-5283 Reservations: (520) 586-2283 . Canopy Trail W Trail Horse Adventures Dump Station CH . RD O sot Kayak/Canoe Launch O PH EA SA NT D. LE R AG NE E Ranger Residences LD GO Emergencies Only First Aid O JAY L RS E DEAD HO N RA eT rail Quail Loop R D. Ranger Station & Gift Shop Playground Picnic Area RD . e Lim Raven Loop il Tra Kiln Host 95 110 83 96 109 97 108 85 116 98 107 86 99 106 100 105 87 101 104 Cooper’s 88 103 89 Hawk Loop 102 90 Electric 56 Ranger Station Picnic Shelter e Kiln im Trail L c e c s o s t A Cemetery Dead End Road Cabins 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 are ADA Accessible Legend Red-Tailed Hawk Loop R OADRUNNER RD. RD. ER CH AT YC FL Kish Trail 7 4 Tents only 111 112 118 117 113 119 127 114 120 126 125 121 115 124 122 123 8 2 * Site 223 is electric Equestrian Parking & Corrals Blackhawk Loop 35 17 24 23 Host 39 22 36 38 37 18 19 21 20