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Verde River Greenway - Dead Horse Ranch State Park (Sedona)

Updated
Views along the Verde River from the Greenway Trail
Map: Verde River Greenway trail
Views along the Verde River from the Greenway Trail
Views along the Verde River from the Greenway Trail
Views along the Verde River from the Greenway Trail

Location

How to Get There
From the Phoenix area: Take I-17 north to the town of Cottonwood (AZ-260 west). In Cottonwood, follow Main Street, turning right onto 10th Street which leads you to the well signed Dead Horse Ranch state park. Once you've entered and paid the fee, take the first road to the right (Owl Rd and Verde River trail head) and park at the trailhead parking. There are restrooms here.
addressone
Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd
city
Cottonwood
state
Arizona
zip
86326
Region
Sedona

Hike details

Distance
2.20 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
2.2 mile lollypop loop
Time
1.00 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us an hour to enjoy this hike.
Elevation Change
0 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Loss
0 Total Elevation Loss[Feet]
Elevation Gain
0 Total Elevation Gain [Feet]
Elevation Details
No significant elevation change.

Season

Best Season
  • February
  • March
  • October
  • November
Worst Season
  • June
  • July
  • August
Season Details
Best enjoyed in the spring or fall
Date Hike completed
September 14, 2023

Solitude

Solitude
Medium
Solitude Details
We had surprisingly good solitude for good sections of this hike. Expect to see 10-20 other hikers.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Easy
difficulty detail
This is an easy stroll.

Permits

Be Aware of
Fee to enter the park

Hiking in Dead Horse Ranch State Park along Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Arizona.

Western Sedona is often overlooked by hikers, even though it shares many of the same lovely hiking characteristics as Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona proper. The Dead Horse Ranch State Park makes a compelling argument in encouraging hikers to check this area out. There are multiple trails to enjoy in this area. The hike we took was an easy stroll along the Verde River.

After paying the entrance fee ($7 per person as of August 2023) from the Owl Road parking area, head south on the closed dirt road towards the Verde River. The trail forks at the river. Turn left here and follow the well worn trail as it parallels the Verde River. This sandy trail (called the Verde River Greenway trail) passes a number of lovely shady Arizona riparian trees as the lazy Verde river flows by. It is a very pleasant area to walk through. When the trail starts to bend North away from the Verde River, you'll reach the East Lagoon, a man made lake popular for picnicking and fishing. Follow the trail along the South edge of the lagoons as it now heads West back to the parking area.

The train continues to another lake known as West Lagoon. You'll walk along the south east edge of the lake, leaving the lake at its southernmost point when it heads back towards the river. Turn right (JCT_1 on the map) and continue along the trail back to the parking area.

Map

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