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Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Wildlife Watching in Dead Horse Ranch State Park

DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK LAGOONS

Mingus Mountain reflects in a lagoon at DHRSP

Wildlife watching in Dead Horse Ranch State Paris a hit-or-miss prospect.

Great blue herons are easy to spot at DHRSP

It’s a definite maybe for a river otter sighting, odds are good to spot a Great blue heron and certainly a red-winged blackbird, and observant watchers might spy a fast-moving California kingsnake. 
Limestone cliffs flank a lagoon at DHRSP

All bets are off though, for catching a gray fox climbing a tree.  
Diverse habitats at DHRSP attract wildlife

Still, a walk through the park that melds a semi-arid high desert climate with a humid riverside riparian habitat yields animal encounters both common and rare.
Silverleaf nightshade bloom along the lagoon trails

  

Situated on the north banks of a tree-lined bend of the Verde River, Dead Horse Ranch State Park has more than 20 miles of hiking trails. 

Keep wildlife wild. Observe from a distance.

Vociferous red-winged blackbirds thrive among reeds

The park trail menu has options for hikers of all ability levels including the ADA-accessible Canopy Trail, easy lagoon loops, and access to more challenging Coconino National Forest routes like 15.8-mile Lime Kiln Trail and Raptor Hill.  With easy access from Old Town Cottonwood, shaded paths in the Verde Valley park offer a quick escape from summer heat.  

Under a canopy of cottonwood, walnut, and willow trees, three level, multi-use, accessible trails loop around the park’s lagoons that draw river water by way of the historic Hickey irrigation ditch.

Globemallow add spots of orange to the trails

Open to hikers, bikers and leashed dogs, the wide, groomed tread of the loops is welcoming to strollers and other mobility devises making them family-friendly choices for exploring the water-centric site.   
River otters, waterfowl, deer and amphibians live in the park

A walk around the reedy, birdy ponds that capture mirror images of distant Mingus Mountain and a nearby wall of layer cake limestone reveals an oasis-like environment that abuts both a shady river corridor and arid mesquite scrubland. 

Benches and picnic tables placed around the lagoons provide comfortable places for observing wildlife in their natural environments. 

Lagoon trails are easy and accessible

AZ black walnut trees shade the lagoon trails

For best results, consult the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s Wildlife Viewing Tips. And remember to keep wildlife wild by not feeding or disrupting their habitats.

LENGTH: 1.9 miles total for lagoon loops

RATING: easy-accessible

ELEVATION: 3,300 feet

GETTING THERE:

675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood.

From Main Street in Cottonwood, go south on 10th Street and follow the signs to the park.

DAY USE HOURS: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

FACILITIES:

Visitor center, camping, cabin rentals, ramadas, fishing, restrooms, horseback rides

FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle

INFO & MAPS:

https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/

TIPS FOR OBSERVING WILDLIFE:

https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/

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