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DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK LAGOONS
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| Mingus Mountain reflects in a lagoon at DHRSP |
Wildlife watching in Dead Horse Ranch State Paris a hit-or-miss prospect.
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| 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.
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| Limestone cliffs flank a lagoon at DHRSP |
All bets are off though, for catching a gray fox climbing a tree.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Keep wildlife wild. Observe from a distance. |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Lagoon trails are easy and accessible |
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| 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:
