Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a state park in Cottonwood, Arizona, characterized by its unique riparian ecosystem along the Verde River. This area features a rare cottonwood and willow gallery forest, providing a diverse habitat for wildlife and a mild climate ideal for outdoor pursuits. The park's varied terrain, from riverine trails to more challenging paths, supports several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, and mountain biking.
Dead Horse Ranchβ¦
30
Routes
4.6
(9)
Average rating
233
People visited

1
hikers
3.22km
00:50
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
3.54km
00:56
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
7.17km
01:55
90m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
32.0km
08:35
440m
290m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
19
riders
12.0km
01:07
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
3
riders
5.29km
00:32
120m
120m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

48
riders
35.8km
03:12
500m
500m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

24
riders
17.2km
01:37
270m
270m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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9
riders
51.3km
03:21
1,460m
1,460m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

2
riders
57.0km
02:47
580m
580m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

31.8km
01:28
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
44.5km
02:47
1,260m
1,260m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4
runners
12.1km
01:23
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
5.32km
00:41
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
4.50km
00:30
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.59km
00:19
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, road cycling, and mountain biking. The park features 10 miles of trails within its boundaries and provides access to the Dead Horse Trail System in the adjacent Coconino National Forest. Three lagoons within the park also offer opportunities for fishing and paddling.
The park offers diverse hiking options, including the ADA-accessible Canopy Trail which runs under cottonwood canopies. Shared-use trails follow the Verde River, and the Lime Kiln Trail, a historic wagon road, is also popular. For more detailed information on routes, explore the Hiking in Dead Horse Ranch State Park guide.
Yes, Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers family-friendly hiking options. The Canopy Trail is an easy, ADA-accessible path suitable for all ages. Many shared-use trails along the Verde River are also appropriate for families. More information can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Dead Horse Ranch State Park guide.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a recognized mountain biking destination. Trails near the Red-Tail and Cooper's Hawk campgrounds are suitable for beginners. Intermediate to expert riders can challenge themselves on the "Thumper Loop" within the Dead Horse Ranch Trail System. The Lime Kiln Trail also connects Cottonwood to Sedona's Red Rock trails. Consult the MTB Trails in Dead Horse Ranch State Park guide for more details.
Yes, the park provides options for beginners and those seeking easy routes. The Canopy Trail is an ADA-accessible path, ideal for a gentle experience. Beginner-friendly mountain biking trails are located near the Red-Tail and Cooper's Hawk campgrounds. For more options, see the Easy hikes in Dead Horse Ranch State Park guide.
The park is part of the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, featuring a rare cottonwood and willow riparian forest. This habitat supports nearly 20 threatened or endangered species and is an Audubon Society birding area. Visitors may observe almost 200 bird species, as well as mammals like Gray Fox, Coyote, Deer, and Javelina.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,300 feet, resulting in mild temperatures. This climate is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. The park's conditions generally remain favorable for exploration throughout the seasons.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 390 visitors having explored its routes. The park features 18 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Dead Horse Ranch State Park, including Hiking in Dead Horse Ranch State Park, MTB Trails in Dead Horse Ranch State Park, and Family-friendly hikes in Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Other guides cover easy hikes, running trails, and road cycling routes.
The official website for Dead Horse Ranch State Park is azstateparks.com/Parks/DEHO/index.html. For direct inquiries, the park can be reached by phone at +1-928-634-5283. These resources provide further information on park operations and facilities.
Yes, road cyclists can utilize the relatively flat paved roads within Dead Horse Ranch State Park. The park also serves as a starting point for exploring more extensive routes throughout the scenic Verde Valley. For specific routes, refer to the Road Cycling Routes in Dead Horse Ranch State Park guide.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park provides excellent opportunities for jogging. The park features well-maintained hiking trails and paved roads suitable for runners. Information on specific routes can be found in the Running Trails in Dead Horse Ranch State Park guide.

