Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Kayakers on the water at Dead Horse Ranch

A picnic table shaded in the cottonwood trees with a mountain in the background

A man rides a bicycle past a gray RV camper at Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Access to Tavasci Marsh from the park is closed due to a recent fire.

Camper Mail Notice: Park cannot accept mail for campers, please use general delivery at the post office or make other arrangements. Packages delivered to the park will be returned to sender.

Camping Cabins

Enjoy the great outdoors from the comforts of the indoors in one of our eight river-adjacent log camping cabins. With all there is to do in Dead Horse, you'll need a cozy place to rest.

Learn More

Programs & Events

Sunday Guided Hikes

Sundays 8 a.m.

Hike the trails of Dead Horse Ranch State Park with an experienced hiking guide.

READ MORE

Verde River Day

Saturday, September 30, 2023 9 am - 3 p.m.

Celebrate all things outdoors while learning about the dynamic ecology of the Verde River. All-day events and free activities for the whole family!

READ MORE

VIEW ALL PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Trails

Take a short hike around the park or challenge yourself on the trails leading out to Coconino National Forest, there's no shortage of picturesque hiking trails around the park.

Learn More

Park and Facility Hours

The park is open year-round.

Gates close at dark. Seasonal hours may apply.

Day Use

7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily

Visitor Center/Park Store

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Christmas: Closed

Park Entrance Fee

Per vehicle (1-4 Adults): $7.00
Individual/bicycle: $3.00

Cottonwood, AZ ANNUAL WEATHER AVERAGES

About Dead Horse Ranch State Park

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 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.

Learn More

Access to Tavasci Marsh from the park is closed due to a recent fire.

Camper Mail Notice: Park cannot accept mail for campers, please use general delivery at the post office or make other arrangements. Packages delivered to the park will be returned to sender.

Camping Cabins