Dead Horse Ranch Campground

About

Dead Horse Ranch State Park sits in the Verde Valley near Cottonwood, Arizona, offering one of the state's most well-appointed campgrounds. With over 100 large sites spread across four loops, the park caters to RVers, tent campers, and cabin guests alike. Quail Loop, Red-Tail Loop, and Cooper's Hawk Loop provide electric sites with water and 30/50-amp service, while Blackhawk Loop is reserved exclusively for tent camping with 17 non-electric sites. Most pull-through sites can accommodate 40-foot motorhomes and truck-and-trailer combinations up to 65 feet. The park's facilities include modern, ADA-accessible restrooms with hot showers free to registered campers. A dump station is available on-site, and the ranger station near the entrance operates a small store with camping supplies, fishing gear, and snacks. Three stocked lagoons offer excellent fishing, and the park is renowned for birding, with a pair of bald eagles nesting here annually. Miles of trails wind through riparian habitat along the Verde River, suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The campground is open year-round and remains popular during spring and fall, often selling out. Reservations through Arizona State Parks are recommended. Check-in is at 2 p.m. and check-out is noon, with a 14-night limit per 30-day period. Generators are prohibited. Pets are welcome on leash but cannot be left unattended.

Directions

675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. From I-17, take exit 287 toward Cottonwood/Sedona. Follow AZ-260 west to Cottonwood, then turn north on 10th Street which becomes Dead Horse Ranch Road.