Facilities

Facilities available at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Visitor Center

The Dead Horse Ranch Ranger Station offers registration, park information, first aid assistance, and a gift shop. Hours: 8 am – 5 pm every day, except Christmas.

Restrooms

Day Use Areas: Modern ADA accessible restrooms with hot water.
Camping Loops: Modern ADA accessible restrooms at each loop with hot water & showers at no extra fee to registered campers.
Cabin Area: Family-style accessible restrooms with hot showers are available to cabin guests.

Gift Shop

Dead Horse Ranch Giftshop

The Dead Horse Ranch gift shop located in the ranger station offers water, fishing bait, books, T-shirts, and a variety of items that will make nice souvenirs of your Dead Horse Ranch visit.

Group: Day Use Areas

River Day Use Area: Located in the proximity of the Verde River. Trails leading from the River Day Use Area follow the river as well as lead into a lush cottonwood, willow gallery riparian area. The Canopy Trail is ADA accessible providing excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities for the mobility impaired. There are two ramadas available for group reservations. Each ramada has a large family-size grill, electricity, and picnic tables. Maximum Group Size for the entire day use area is 200+ people.

Los Alamos Day Use Area: Located under a cottonwood tree canopy between two fishing lagoons — eight ramadas are available for reservation. A dock, launch ramp, fish cleaning station, and modern restrooms are close by. Nearby are trails leading around the lagoons, to the Verde River Greenway and onto the Coconino National Forest. The two lagoons adjacent to Los Alamos total approximately 16 surface acres.

Reservation Policy and Fees:

Day use area ramadas have a $55 minimum fee between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Includes the $25 reservation fee and 5 vehicle passes at $6 each.)
Reservations extending beyond 5 p.m. to no later than 9 p.m. have a $115 minimum fee (includes the $25 reservation fee and 15 vehicle passes at $6 each)
Additional vehicles pay the $6 entrance fee.
The $25 reservation fee is non-refundable.
Reservations are taken no more than 12 months in advance.

Group: Camping Sites

Raven Loop: A 23 site group campground available by reservation. The loop contains modern restroom facilities providing hot water & showers, a large ramada, and group fire ring. Most sites can accommodate 2 camping units. Maximum Group Size: 46 Units.

Reservation Policy and Fees:

A minimum of 10 vehicles are required to qualify as a group for the Raven Loop Group Campground.
Raven Loop has a $145 minimum fee. (Includes $25 reservation fee and 10 camping passes at $12 each.)
Exclusive use of the site is $301. (Includes the $25 reservation fee and 23 camping passes at $12 each.)
Additional vehicles pay the $12 camping fee.
The $25 reservation fee is non-refundable.
Reservations are taken no more than 12 months in advance.

RV & Camping Sites

There are over 100 large RV sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most of the pull through sites can accommodate 40-foot motor homes and truck & trailer rigs up to 65 feet, and include potable water and 30/50-amp service. All campsites may be used as non-electric sites simply by not plugging into power. Generators are prohibited. All loops include modern, ADA accessible restroom facilities providing hot water & showers and are free to registered campers. There is a stay limit of 14 nights in a 30-day period. We can be full in the spring and fall so call 1-2 days in advance to check availability.

Fees: Fees are per vehicle, $19 per night with electric and $12 per night without electric (no extra fees for tow vehicle).

Quail Loop: 43 campsites, including one ADA accessible site.

Red-Tail Loop: 36 campsites, including one ADA accessible site.

Cooper’s Hawk Loop: 27 campsites, including two ADA accessible sites.

Blackhawk Loop: 17 non-electric campsites, including one ADA accessible site, reserved exclusively for tents. RVs, including campers and vans, are not permitted. The loop is adjacent to modern restroom facilities providing hot water & showers.

Camping Cabins

Dead Horse Ranch Camping Cabin Camping Cabin Loop: 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. 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. Family-style 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.

Reservation Policy and Fees:

Cabin Fee: $50 per night.
Reservations are confirmed by receipt of an application and approval of a credit card (Visa/Mastercard only). A $50.00 deposit (equivalent to one night’s rental rate) per cabin is required for a reservation.
Rental rates are charged per night. 14 nights maximum stay length in any 30-day period.
Reservations may be made up to 365 days in advance.
Two nights minimum stay on weekends.
Pets must be declared upon reservation. Pets are only allowed at cabins 3 through 8. There is a pet charge of $5.00 per cabin per day, with a limit of 2 pets per cabin.
Smoking and cooking are prohibited in cabins. Fires are limited to barbecue grilles and the community fire pit.
Furniture must remain inside cabin.
Cabin guest must ensure that the cabin is left clean and undamaged. Cleaning and damage fees will be billed to the credit card on file.
Cleaning fee is $50.00. Damage fees will be assessed to cover the total cost of repairs.
Vehicles: Each vehicle must display a permit on the rear view mirror of their vehicle indicating payment of fees. Maximum 2 vehicles per cabin. RVs longer than 24 feet are not permitted in the Mesquite area and will be assessed the standard camping fee.
Cabin Occupancy: The rental party must comprise at least 1 person 18 years of age or older. Occupancy is a maximum of 4 adults or a family of 6 including children.
Bedding consists of 1 bunk bed and 1 full-sized bed.
Tents: There is a tent fee of $12.00 per night. The tent must be declared upon reservation. The tent must be placed within 10 feet of the cabin.
Check in time is 3 pm. Check out time is 10 am.
Balance is due no later than 10 am the day after arrival.
“No Show” Policy: Cabin will be released for sale at 8 am the morning after the original arrival date.
All other policies governing Arizona State Parks shall apply.
Call the park at (928) 634-5283 to make reservations.

Dump Station

A dump station is available with payment of the $12 non-electric camping fee or at no extra fee to registered campers.

Showers

Showers are available with payment of the $6 day-use fee or at no extra fee to registered campers.

Picnic Areas/Shelters

Picnic tables are located throughout the park, in both the day use areas and campground ramadas as well as being placed individually in various locations around the lagoons. Unless reserved, picnic tables in the ramadas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Many ramadas also include ADA accessible picnic tables.

Hiking 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 Rangers & Volunteers, and the Forest Service have worked together to develop and manage this system for you enjoyment. Bring extra water and get an early start in the summer months. Trailheads are located north of the lagoon area or at the end of Flycatcher road.

Dead Horse Trail System: A 7.3 mile loop. Shared-use. Begins & ends at Dead Horse Ranch and extends onto the Coconino National Forest. The loop consists of 3 legs; Lime Kiln, Thumper, and Raptor Hill. The Lime Kiln leg follows a portion of the historic Lime Kiln Wagon Road. Originally the Lime Kiln road provided access to a Kiln that was constructed in the 1800s. The Kiln was used to burn limestone to create lime used as an ingredient of the mortar needed to construct fireplaces and chimneys. Soon after the construction of the kiln, the road was extended and used as a route between Sedona and Jerome. The remains of the kiln can still be seen beside the trail. The loop is a favorite ride for mountain bikers. Average mountain bike time is approximately 1 hour to complete the loop.

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

Canopy: A 0.25 mile ADA accessible trail looping under a Freemont Cottonwood tree canopy giving park visitors with limited mobility an opportunity to get off the beaten path. Excellent for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Starts and ends in the River Day Use Area.

Mesa: A 1-mile interpretive loop trail. Circles the top of the hill west of the Red-Tail Hawk Campground and provides scenic views of Mingus Mountain, the Verde Valley, and Dead Horse Ranch. The trailhead is located on the west side of Roadrunner Road south of Red-Tail Hawk Campground loop.

Tavasci Marsh: A 1-mile trail. Shared-use. The trailhead is located at the end of Flycatcher Road.

Quail Wash: A 0.25-mile trail. Hike, bike. Stairs and bridges prevent equestrian use. Plant diversity and flowing water in the wash make this trail popular. Intersects with Hickey Ditch Trail. The trailhead is located at the south end of the West Lagoon parking lot.

Hickey Ditch: A 0.5-mile trail. Shared-use. Follow along the historic Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of Ailanthus and Mesquite trees. Intersects with Quail Wash Trail. The trailhead is located at north end of the West Lagoon parking lot.

Creosote: A 0.5-mile shortcut. Shared-use. Intersects with Hickey Ditch and Quail Wash Trails.

Lagoons: One accessible loop around each lagoon. West Lagoon 0.39 miles; Middle Lagoon 0.41 miles; East Lagoon 0.72 miles. Hike, bike. Accessed from any of the lagoon parking lots, these trails allow you to stroll around the lagoons. We do request that horses not be taken around lagoon banks.

Verde River Greenway: A 2-mile shared-use trail along the river. The trail weaves through some of the best nesting habitat in the area, a bird watchers' paradise. Intersects with Quail Wash and Lagoon Trails. The trailhead is located in the River Day Use area or can be accessed on the south side of the lagoons.

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

Equestrian Trails: Many of the Dead Horse Ranch trails are shared-use. There are 1 hour and a 2 hour guided trail rides available on the park. The rides take in the Verde River Greenway and provide scenic views of the lagoons, the Verde River and Dead Horse Ranch.

Equestrian Trails

The trails at Dead Horse Ranch State Park are all classified as shared-use, nonmotorized and permit equestrian use with a few exceptions. In 2006, the Lime Kiln Trail was completed, linking Dead Horse Ranch with Red Rock State Park. The ride from Dead Horse to Red Rock is 15 miles and follows the alignment of the old Lime Kiln wagon trail.

Horse corrals are available on a limited basis for overnight use with advance arrangements.

Dead Horse Ranch now has an equestrian concessionaire on the park who leads wrangler-guided trail rides. Take a leisurely ride through the park, past the river and even have a picnic lunch! Visit trailhorseadventures.com for more information.

Biking

Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers a variety of bicycling opportunities for all levels of riders. Beginning road cyclists will find relatively flat paved roads with only a few gentle climbs and large parking areas perfect for practicing basic skills. Beginning mountain bikers will find a place to hone new skills on the trails adjacent to Red-Tail and Cooper's Hawk campgrounds.

Experienced roadies can use the park as a launching point for rides throughout the Verde Valley. Intermediate to expert mountain bikers will find fun and challenge on the Dead Horse Ranch Trail System's “Thumper Loop”. Download a map of the Dead Horse Trail System ( 220 KB PDF). Because the park is so close to Sedona, mountain bikers from all over the world come to Dead Horse Ranch to camp and use the park as a staging area for rides on the Red Rock trails of the Coconino National Forest. No other campground in the Verde Valley offers shower facilities - virtually a must after a full day on the trail!

Fishing

Danny Madison displays a unique albino catfish he caught in the lagoon at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Excellent fishing opportunities for the beginner and experienced alike. Arizona Game & Fish Department stocks the river and lagoons with Rainbow Trout throughout the winter months. The lagoons are stocked with Channel Catfish in the warmer season. Fly-fishing the river and lagoons is becoming increasingly popular. Fish species include Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie, and Trout.

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers fourteen and older. Licensing information is available online at Arizona Game & Fish, or purchase a fishing license at a local dealer.

Motorized & Non-Motorized Watercraft

Canoeing and kayaking is popular in the river and lagoons. Non-motorized watercraft (oar power only, no sails) are allowed in the lower lagoons. Boating is not permitted in the upper (West) lagoon. A launch ramp and dock are available at the East lagoon. Gas & electric motors must be removed before launching. Children 12 and under are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times when boating.

Wildlife Viewing

Mammals common in the park include Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), Coyote (Canis latrans), Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus sp.), Coues or White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi), Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Bobcat (Felis rufus), Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Javelina (Pecari angulatus), and of course, the Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis).

The park is also home to a huge variety of reptiles and amphibians.

The lagoons and the Verde River provide excellent habitat for birds. The park boasts an extensive bird list (almost 200 species) and is also home to the yearly Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is also included in the Tuzigoot Important Bird Area (IBA). Avian species within this IBA include several sensitive, threatened, or endangered birds listed as species of concern.

Download Printable Bird List ( 770 KB PDF)

Top of Page Maps