Dead Horse Ranch State Park RV & Campground Guide
Arizona
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Dead Horse Ranch State Park officially opened to the public in 1977, but the land in the area was first purchased by a man named Calvin Ireys who would eventually sell the property to the state in 1950. The park got its unusual name when Irey's family told him to buy the land that had the dead horse on it. The name stuck, and maintaining this colorful name was one of the Ireys family’s conditions for selling the property to the state.
Nearby Cities:
Cottonwood, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Camp Verde, AZ
Spring 69-86 F
Summer 97-100 F
Fall 68-91 F
Winter 59-64 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Campground Accommodations
Quail Loop Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 83 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, BBQ pits, fire rings, picnic tables
Red-Tail Hawk Loop Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 150 feet
Other amenities: Showers, restrooms
Cooper’s Hawk Loop Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Fire pits, BBQ grills, showers, restrooms, picnic tables
Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort
Located right on the Verde River, the 300-acre park is surrounded by mountains and rock formations all around.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: pool, mini golf, playground
Rio Verde RV Park
Also along the Verde River, this campground has access to easy hiking trails and beautiful scenery.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: laundry, showers, river access, hiking trails
What to Do at
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
When you first get to the park, you should check out the Visitor Center, which also contains a gift shop. If you’ve brought your horse with you, you can either set out on some of the park’s multi-use trails on your own or you can hire a guide. After you’ve worked up an appetite, you can picnic at the numerous tables set up around the park.
Many of Dead Horse Ranch State Park’s popular activities center around the Verde River and the park’s three lagoons. A top-notch trail network also provides multiple places to hike, bike, and look at nature.
Inside Dead Horse Ranch State Park
There is plenty to do in and around the park! Kids can get a Boating Safety Coloring Book, and earn a Junior Ranger Badge for completing certain activities. They just need to check in at the Visitor Center and get their booklet to get started.
There is also plenty for adults to do, including:
Hiking: Trails run all through the park, with a mix of forested trails and those through swamps, washes, and other ecological areas where you can see the plants that thrive in the ecosystem by the river.
Boating: The Los Alamos Day Use Area has two fishing lagoons with boat launches, a dock, and a fish cleaning station.
Fishing
Whether you want to go fishing on a river or a lagoon, Dead Horse Ranch State Park has you covered. No matter where you drop your line here, you’ll have the chance to catch catfish, bluegills, rainbow trout, and bass. Keep your eyes peeled for river otters, which can steal your catch if you’re not careful.
Geocaching
There are at least half a dozen caches spread throughout the park. Many of these caches are near the lagoons, and some contain small prizes.
Nature Watching
Nearly 200 species of birds appear on this state park’s bird list, so you can rest assured that it’s an excellent place to watch birds. If you visit near the end of April and register in time, you can participate in the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival, which takes place in the park on the Verde River’s banks.
Stargazing
Since Dead Horse State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, it’s ideal for stargazing. The park routinely hosts full moon hikes, telescope-viewing events, star parties, and other events centering around looking at the night sky.
Flora and Fauna
The Verde River and the park’s several lagoons provide excellent habitats for river otters, red-spotted toads, and beavers. In the high desert, you might encounter California Kingsnakes, gray foxes, and Gambel’s quails. Common types of flora here include cottonwoods, ash trees, willows, mesquite, tumbleweeds, and more.
Hiking
Many of the multiple high-quality trails at Dead Horse Ranch State Park are multi-use, so you may need to share them with bikers and horseback riders. The most popular trail system in the park is the Dead Horse Trail System, which is more than 20 miles long. Hikers should travel counter-clockwise on this loop for the best experience.
Boating
Canoes, kayaks, and other non-motorized boats are welcome in the Middle Lagoon and the East Lagoon. You can also go canoeing and kayaking on the Verde River.
Swimming
You can’t swim in any of the lagoons, so the best place to go swimming and wading at Dead Horse Ranch State Park is the Verde River. The park recommends swimming in the parts of the river off of Owl Road and Kingfisher Road.
Biking
The Dead Horse Trail System is beloved by bikers, who generally prefer to travel it clockwise for the best ride. Both doubletrack and singletrack are featured on this trail that’s rated from intermediate to expert.
How to Get to
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
If you’re traveling north toward the park from the Phoenix area, take Interstate 15 to Camp Verde. Take Exit 287 to State Route 260, and turn right when this road comes to a T. Drive on Main Street through Cottonwood; turn right onto 10th Street, which will take you to the park’s entrance. If you’re coming south from the Flagstaff area, you can drive south on Interstate 15 to Camp Verde, take Exit 287 to State Route 260, and follow the same directions to the entrance of the park.
Entering Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Parking areas are available in multiple locations along Dead Horse Ranch Road and Flycatcher Road. There are also parking spots near the River Day Use Area, Kingfisher Road, the Main Street Trailhead, and the Middle Lagoon.
In order to enter the park, you’ll have to pay a fee of $7 per vehicle.
Visiting Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a wonderful way to make memories with friends and loved ones. Whether you’re enjoying nature and bird watching, or learning about the history of the area at an abandoned mining town, you’re sure to come away with new knowledge and experiences! While you’re on your trip, don’t forget to tag us in your social media posts or send us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Horse Ranch State Park
The busiest time of year for Dead Horse Ranch State Park is May through September, but the nicest times to visit are during the spring and fall when the weather is the most temperate.
At Dead Horse Ranch State Park, you might encounter foxes, coyotes, rabbits, deer, skunks, and more. River otters, fish, and multiple threatened or endangered birds also call this Arizona state park home.
Quail Loop Campground, Red-Tail Hawk Loop Campground, and Cooper’s Hawk Loop Campground all have campsites for RVs. Most spots can accommodate RVs as long as 40 feet and truck-and-trailer combinations as long as 65 feet.
You don’t have to make reservations at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, but camping spots can run out quickly, so you should probably book your site in advance anyway. You can make reservations up to 12 months before you visit online or by phone. Sites with electricity cost $30 to $35 a night, while sites without electricity cost $20 a night.
You can bring your pet to Dead Horse Ranch State Park as long as it’s kept on a leash and properly supervised. Your pet can’t enter any park buildings, however, and you must clean up after your pet.
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