Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Dead Horse State Park is a birding destination in Arizona and also one of the top-rated State Parks. It is situated in a beautiful greenbelt along the Verde River near Mingus Mountain. It covers over 400 acres of beautiful and varied habitat and is included within the Tuzigoot Important Bird Area. As you enter the Park you are greeted with a stand of pine trees that holds a variety of interesting local and migrating species. Miles of trails along the Verde River take you through an impressive Gallery Forest with neotropical migrants, riparian-obligate species and a variety of classic Northern Arizona resident birds. Wander around the three lovely lagoons where marsh birds, waterfowl and shorebirds thrive. Bordering these lagoons is a Mesquite Bosque Forest under steep rock cliffs good for raptors soaring. Small creeks and ditches wander through the Park filled with lush greenery. About 250 bird species have been recorded in the Park along with a variety of wildlife who make the Park their home (Gray Fox, Coues deer, Coyote and Beavers to name a few). Located in the Pacific Flyway Migration Corridor the Park is an attractive resting spot for rare and exciting species.
Open year-round with fishing, cabins, camping and great facilities, the park is host to the annual Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival. There is even a lovely spot called “Armchair Birding” where one can sit and watch the birds visit the many feeders.
Site Information
Region: North Central
County: Yavapai
Directions: Whichever direction you enter Cottonwood from, there are excellent signs guiding you to the Park Entrance
Latitude: 34.750306
Longitude: -112.014664
Operational Hours: Other
Other Operational Hours: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm daily
Admission or Fees: Entry with Arizona State Park Annual Pass; otherwise $7 daily fee per car; $3 per individual/bicycle
Best time to visit: Spring is optimal with migrants breeding in the area and the bird festival in April. Although hot in the Summer, there is plenty of shade and water spots to cool off. Winter is excellent with many migrants making this their territory. Both Spring and Fall Migration are exciting times where the rare or unusual bird can drop in to rest and feed. The lagoons get busy with fishing so this is a great spot to wander around early in the morning
Habitats: Desert, Grassland, Lake or Pond, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Several gates within the Park connecting to parking, trails and the Verde River close at dusk so watch your time as evening approaches
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay, Zone-tailed Hawk
Charismatic: Anna’s Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Loggerhead Shrike, Phainopepla, Ruby-crowned Kinglet , Summer Tanager, Verdin, Vermilion Flycatcher
Contact Information
Arizona State Parks
Address 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Website: https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L302348
Additional Resources:
Northern Arizona Audubon Society
Yavapai County eBird
Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience (AWWE) Tour
