Dead Horse Ranch State Park, along with the Greater Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce, and sponsoring nonprofits and corporations from around the state, will host and celebrate the 33rd Annual Verde River Day on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festivities during Verde River Day celebrate our community’s connection to the free-flowing Verde River, a green, life-giving jewel in Arizona’s arid natural landscape. Preservation and care of this vital resource – for both people and wildlife alike – will be promoted by the organizations participating in the event. In honor of the occasion, Arizona State Parks will waive the entrance admission on September 24th to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, where the celebration will take place.

Activities during the event include organized canoe and kayak rides, sandcastle building, and over 40 nonprofit nature-based exhibits with educational information about the Verde River’s riparian habitat and wildlife. Food, drinks, and snacks will be provided by Old Crow Food Truck, Antojitos Oaxaqueno el Campesino, and Christie's Caffeination Station, who will donate a portion of their proceeds to the event.

Guests of all ages will be welcome to fish in the park lagoons that is stocked with $1500 worth of fish. Visitors will also be welcome to take advantage of the scheduled Arizona Game & Fish Department’s fishing clinic. Fishing licenses are not required during clinic hours. Poles, bait, and tackle are provided for all age groups.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located adjacent to and across from Verde River near the community of Cottonwood. It is centrally located near several major population centers such as Flagstaff, Phoenix and Prescott. This event would not be possible without the generous support of Arizona State Parks in making Dead Horse Ranch State Park accessible to all during the event. Organizers would also like to thank the many organizations that have partnered to sponsor Verde River Day, which include the Greater Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Verde River, the City of Cottonwood, National Park Service, Verde Natural Resource Conservation District, Verde Valley Internet, and Verve Events and Tents.

For information on Deadhorse Ranch State Park, call (928) 634-5283 or visit www.AZStateParks.com/dead-horse. Tent camp sites to full hookup camping sites are available. Cabins are also available but reservations must be made well in advance. Reservations for camping can be made 24-hours-a-day at AZStateParks.com or by calling (877) MY-PARKS between 8am and 5pm (Mountain Standard Time) seven days per week. For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 or visit www.AZStateParks.com. Follow AZStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.