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.
Explore Dead Horse Ranch
AZ Game & Fish will be at Ramada #2 in Jay Loop to teach visitors about fishing and loan out fishing poles with bait. This is a perfect time to catch your first fish, or even your personal best!
READ MOREThe park is open year-round.
Gates close at dark. Seasonal hours may apply.
Day Use
Spring Hours
6 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily
Summer Hours
6 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily
Fall/Winter Hours
7 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Visitor Center/Park Store
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily
Thanksgiving: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
Per vehicle (1 person): $10.00
Per vehicle (2-4 people): $20.00
Individual/bicycle: $5.00
