Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

April 24-27, 2025  

This beloved celebration of birding and nature during peak migration in the Verde Valley began as a celebration of birding at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in 2001. The founders of the festival sought a way to provide a fun and educational birding experience to both the local community and visitors. We knew we had an undiscovered treasure in the diversity of habitats within the Verde Valley, as well as great birding in Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival gives participants the opportunity to experience birding during the peak spring migration season. The four-day festival is held at Dead Horse Ranch State Park on the banks of the Verde River. With close proximity to the Verde, Oak Creek, Sycamore Creek and other perennial waters, festival participants are invited to choose from a wide selection of offerings such as guided tours, hikes, and workshops in one of Arizona’s richest birding habitats. Visit the festival website for details and specifics!

This year's festival theme is “Birds in Art” and the featured bird for the year is the Anna's hummingbird. There will be guided bird walks all across the Verde Valley from April 24-27 that require registration at https://verderiver.org/events/verde-valley-birding-and-nature-festival-2025/.