Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a state park in Yavapai County, Arizona, 2 miles from Cottonwood on paved roads. 123 campsites cost Electric sites $50/night; non-electric $25/night; second vehicle $15/night. Day use costs $10 per vehicle (1 person) / $20 (2-4 people); bicycle $5. Hours: Day use: summer 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; fall/winter 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; spring 6 a.m.-7 p.m.; gates close at dark.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park map
Dead Horse Ranch State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park has 123 developed campsites in 4 campgrounds. Camping costs Electric sites $50/night; non-electric $25/night; second vehicle $15/night. Sites can be reserved in advance. 106 sites have utility hookups. Stays are limited to 14 days in any 30-day period.
- Entry to Dead Horse Ranch State Park costs $10 per vehicle (1 person) / $20 (2-4 people); bicycle $5. Hours: Day use: summer 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; fall/winter 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; spring 6 a.m.-7 p.m.; gates close at dark.
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park is 2 miles from Cottonwood on paved roads. It is 100 miles from Phoenix.
- Yes, 106 campsites at Dead Horse Ranch State Park have utility hookups.
- Electric hookups available. Showers available. Flush restrooms.
- Yes, Verde River is open to swimming at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
- Yes, Dead Horse Ranch State Park has cabins available.
Before you go
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is 2 miles from Cottonwood on paved roads. It is 100 miles from Phoenix.
- Electric hookups available
- Showers available
- Flush restrooms
Camping at Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Dead Horse Ranch State Park has 123 developed campsites in 4 campgrounds. Camping costs Electric sites $50/night; non-electric $25/night; second vehicle $15/night. Sites can be reserved in advance. 106 sites have utility hookups. Stays are limited to 14 days in any 30-day period.
Trails
- Verde River Greenway Trail Shared-use river corridor with nesting habitat
- Mesa Loop Trail Interpretive loop with Verde Valley views west of Red-Tail Hawk Campground
- Tavasci Marsh Trail Shared-use; trailhead at end of Flycatcher Road
- Hickey Ditch Trail Shared-use along historic irrigation ditch
- Quail Wash Trail Hike and bike only; stairs limit equestrian use
- Creosote Trail Shared-use shortcut linking Hickey Ditch and Quail Wash
- Riverfront Trail South side of the Verde River
What to see
- Feature Verde River frontage River fishing, birding, and lagoons along the Verde Valley
- Feature Tavasci Marsh Marsh and riparian bird habitat on shared trails
Swimming
- Verde River
Public lands next to Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- National forestDead Horse Ranch State Park borders Coconino National Forest.
- State parkDead Horse Ranch State Park borders Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, a state park.
- National Park Service unitTuzigoot National Monument is 0.5 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- National forestPrescott National Forest is 2 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/things-to-do/trails (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/camping-and-cabins/camping-at-dead-horse-ranch (accessed 2026-09-29)