Saddle up for a two-hour guided ride through Dead Horse Ranch State Park with a unique river crossing and distant Sedona red-rock views. This family-friendly tour pairs calm horses with experienced wranglers and stops near Tuzigoot for landscape highlights.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The hoofbeats come before you—steady, patient, urging you forward—while the Verde River cuts a bright line through cottonwood groves. On this two-hour trail ride at Dead Horse Ranch State Park you move from irrigated river flats up onto sun-warmed berms, cross a shallow ribbon of water, and get angles on the distant red-rock rims that frame the Verde Valley.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most people who can sit in a saddle for two hours; no hiking fitness required but basic core stability helps.
Wildlife
History
The park sits on former ranchland adjacent to Sinagua ancestral sites; Tuzigoot National Monument nearby preserves a hilltop pueblo built by Sinagua people between about 1100–1400 CE.
Conservation
The Verde River is an important riparian corridor—stay on designated trails, pack out waste, and avoid disturbing nesting riparian birds to limit impact.
Reserve your spot on the Sedona Horseback Rides At Dead Horse Ranch with River Crossing today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive Early for Briefing
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start to check in, get helmet fitting, and receive a safety talk from the wranglers.
Choose Appropriate Footwear
Closed-toe boots or sturdy shoes and long pants protect your legs and improve leg contact with the saddle during river crossings.
Hydrate and Protect from Sun
Bring at least 1 liter of water and sunscreen—the Verde Valley sun intensifies quickly, especially on exposed ridgelines.
Know Age & Weight Limits
Riders must be at least 6 years old; operators ask for weight info at booking to match horse size for safety.
Closed-toe riding boots or sturdy hiking boots
Protects feet in stirrups and provides grip during river crossings.
Long pants
Prevents chafing from saddle and protects legs from brush.
Water bottle or small hydration pack (1–2L)
Keeps you hydrated in the desert heat; refill available at staging area.
summer
UV-blocking sunglasses and sunscreen
Reduces glare off rock surfaces and protects skin on exposed stretches.