Opened & Dedicated June 1, 1977
By Charles R. Eatherly – Arizona State Park Website

“Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located adjacent to and across the Verde River from the community of Cottonwood. It is centrally located near several major population centers such as Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Prescott. When using Dead Horse Ranch as a base, one has a variety of attractions to visit, including: Jerome State Historic Park, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock State Park, Tuzigoot National Monument, Montezuma Castle and Well National Monuments, Oak Creek Canyon, Prescott National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and the popular towns of Sedona and Jerome.
Calvin “Cap” Ireys purchased Dead Horse Ranch in 1950. “Cap” told State Parks Director Dennis McCarthy that his children named the ranch. The first time the family looked at the property, they saw a dead horse lying in the field, and after looking at a number of properties “Cap” asked them which one they liked the best. The answer was the one with the dead horse. After they acquired the property, they named it Dead Horse Ranch.”
Park and Facility Hours
The park is open year-round.
Gates close at dark. Seasonal hours may apply.
Day Use
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily
Visitor Center/Park Store
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily
Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
Park Entrance Fee
Per vehicle (1-4 Adults): $7.00
Individual/bicycle: $3.00