DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK

A National Wild and Scenic River flows through this outdoor recreation area in Cottonwood.

One of the desert’s last free-flowing rivers, the Verde flows for nearly 200 miles through Central Arizona. The stretch through Cottonwood and the Verde Valley presents some of the state’s most scenic water recreation. The Verde River corridor provides vital habitat for nearly 20 threatened or endangered species and is a recognized Audubon Society birding area. Eight camping cabins shaded by a mesquite grove and another 100 campsites spread throughout the park provide scenic spots to spend the night.

Float Trips

Most visitors to Dead Horse Ranch State Park arrive with kayaks and canoes strapped to their vehicles, intent on floating along the Verde River. Three fishing lagoons within the park also see a lot of paddling — to fishing holes stocked in winter with rainbow trout and channel catfish in summer. Keep the water in view long enough to hear the shrill of resident eagles snatching dinner from one of the lagoons. Other common wildlife sightings include river otters, gray fox, skunks and deer.

Verde River Trails

More than 20 miles of non-motorized trails are accessible from the park and take visitors along the Verde River’s riparian corridor. Start with the Canopy Trail, an easy trek that follows the river under the shade of cottonwood and willow trees. Mountain bikers and horseback riders share other trails that encircle the park’s lagoons and head into the Verde River Greenway. Mountain biking is the main draw on the Lime Kiln Trail, which cuts through the high-desert landscapes on the way to Red Rock State Park near Sedona.

Verde Valley Attractions

The area around Dead Horse Ranch State Park preserves the region’s history and presents one of the more recent chapters in Arizona’s visitor story. The ancient hilltop pueblo at Tuzigoot National Monument preserves the culture and stories of the area’s indigenous people and reveals how the river has sustained life here for hundreds of years. Clinging to the side of Mingus Mountain in the distance, the historic mining town of Jerome is another visitor favorite. Arizona’s burgeoning wine scene is the newest draw to the area. Visit the tasting rooms and eateries in Old Town Cottonwood that celebrate Arizona’s grape-growing regions.