Introduction:
This is a large state park near Cottonwood, Arizona that offers E/W hook ups, mountain and city views, and lots of trails.
Click here to read about our criteria for campground reviews.
The Basics:
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Price per night / Discounts: $30 / None
Campground website: Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Our Site #: 54 and 93
Privacy Rating (how spacious and private do the sites feel):
4/5: Site spacing is quite good here with back in sites around an outer perimeter and pull through sites in the centers of the loops. While there are not as many trees and tall bushes between sites as some other places we've stayed, all things considered, we felt we had plenty of space to sit outside and not be staring at our neighbors.
Location Rating (accessibility to points of interest or to major highways):
4.5/5: This is a well located park. In addition to offering its own trails, you are located just about 25 minutes from Sedona with all of its incredible hiking and scenery. The park is located right in Cottonwood which has all the conveniences one could need as well as a small historic district which offers several nice restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and shops.
Site Quality and Big Rig Accessibility Rating (utilities and accessibility of campground hook ups):
5/5: Site quality was excellent. The sites were paved and level and plenty big for even the biggest RVs. We had 50 amp and water which was great. There was a large utility sink behind the bathhouse in the Coopers Hawk Loop which we used to dump our dishwashing water on several occasions which saved us a ton of gray tank space. There is an easily accessible dump station near the front entrance.
Technology and Customer Service Rating (online resources, reservations, and staff):
5/5: As with every Arizona state park we've stayed at, the reservation and check-in process was smooth and easy. Everyone we've ever dealt with has been very friendly and helpful.
Internet Availability Rating (Verizon coverage or campground wifi):
4/5: No wifi here, but AT&T worked fine.
Summary:
Like the many other Arizona state parks we've stayed at, Dead Horse Ranch was thoughtfully laid out, conveniently located, and offered plenty to do to keep us occupied. We stayed in two different sites here, both of which were spacious, level, and surrounded by nice views. We enjoyed some of the trails in the park itself, and utilized it as a jumping off point for visiting Sedona.
