Welcome to
The Verde River
Paddle Trail
The Verde River Paddle Trail stretches 6.5 miles from the Tuzigoot Bridge
to the Highway 89A Bridgeport Bridge. River access points are maintained by the Verde River Greenway-State Natural Area and Dead Horse
Ranch State Park.
This guide is intended to help inform canoers, kayakers and other river
paddlers about what to expect along this portion of the 200 mile Verde
River. The guide is composed of four map segments along with a descriptive narrative. The river maps are oriented downstream from a paddler’s
point-of-view. A vicinity map shows how the segment maps provide coverage of each river reach.
The Verde River is a dynamic natural resource. Water levels, channel obstructions and many other factors can change on a daily basis. River
recreationists are advised to practice Safe Paddling.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Never paddle alone
Inform friends and/or family of your paddling plans
Check conditions before you go
Dress appropriately for the expected weather
Wear a life jacket
Know your watercraft’s limitations
Paddle within your skill level
Avoid high, swift water
Scout any hazard about which you have doubts.
Respect private property along the river.
Dispose of all trash properly
For more information contact:
Dead Horse Ranch State Park:
Verde River Greenway:
928-634-5283
928-639-0312
The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not meant to be a statement
of conditions at any one time. Conditions can vary greatly in relation to temperature, weather, water level, and
other factors. All persons intending to run this river are responsible for personally assessing these conditions,
as well as their own ability to cope with them. You should be aware that all recreational use of this type involves a degree of risk, and persons engaging in this activity assume the risk associated therewith. The information in this guide is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the expressed condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by Arizona State Parks or any of its associates, employees, branches or subsidiaries for the accuracy, content or use thereof.
336
0
340
0
32
8
0
Verde River Greenway
Paddle Trail
For more information contact:
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area
928-639-0312
www.azstateparks.com
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Verde River Greenway
State Natural Area
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This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map
information is not guaranteed. Arizona State Parks assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in this map.
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Verde River Greenway Paddle Trail
Segment 1
For more information contact:
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area
928-639-0312
www.azstateparks.com
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Please Respect
Property Owners
Downstream
20
33
Cottonwood
Diversion Dam
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Tuzigoot
National
Monument
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Roads
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112°2'0"W
0
0.05
112°2'30"W
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
Miles
0.5
This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map
information is not guaranteed. Arizona State Parks assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in this map.
Verde River Paddle Trail Segment #1 River Description
Mile 0.0
The Tuzigoot Bridge was constructed in the 1960’s. It has a
unique geometry rarely used in normal bridge building.
Mile 0.05
Turn right about a quarter mile east of Tuzigoot Bridge.
Follow the gravel road to river access points near bridge.
Mile 0.1
Several areas along the stream bank provide places to
launch watercraft. The land on river left here is part of the
Verde River Greenway.
Mile 0.1
The large pool below the Tuzigoot Bridge provide a place
for novice boaters to hone their paddling skills.
Mile 0.25
The Hickey Ditch Diversion Dam diverts irrigation water to
Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Scout on river left.
Mile 0.25
A narrow gravel riffle runs on river left below the diversion.
Mile 0.3
Some large boulders lie just beneath the low flow surface
in this area. Watch the water carefully to find a route.
Mile 0.65
River flow splits at the top of a large island. Both channels
are normally navigable at low flows. However, the left
channel provides better position for the upcoming scout.
Mile 0.8
The Cottonwood Ditch Diversion Dam is one of the largest
irrigation diversion structures along the urban stretch of the
Verde River. Scout on river left.
Mile 0.9
Trees bracket the channel not far below the diversion dam.
Scout from river right.
Mile 1.1
The Verde River turns sharply right here, creating a large
braided and heavily vegetated gravel bar. Scout by from
the landing in the middle of the stream channel. The water
flow entering the river here is from Tavasi Marsh. Excellent
views of Tuzigoot National Monument are noted here.
Mile 1.25
Steps on river left mark the Flycatcher Rd RAP.
34°45'0"N
112°1'0"W
112°1'30"W
City of Cottonwood
Riverfront Park
M
ile
For more information contact:
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area
928-639-0312
www.azstateparks.com
ile
34°45'30"N
M
2.5
34°45'0"N
112°1'0"W
Owl R
oad
Pheasant Road
3.0
Verde River Greenway Paddle Trail
Segment 2
20
Downstream
Private Land
Please Respect
Property Owners
33
336
112°2'0"W
Dead Horse Ranch
State Park /
Verde River Greenway
State Natural Area
0
M
oad
2.0
Flu
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Private Land
Please Respect
Property Owners
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Scout
Riffle
Dead Horse Ranch Ranger Station
Parking
34
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34°45'30"N
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Fly catc
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1.5
Trees
34
Geologic Feature
Flume
40
Trails
River Access Point
Roads
3480
33
Verde River Greenway Offices
Hazard
20
34
112°1'30"W
0
0.05
0.1
80
112°2'0"W
0.2
0.3
0.4
Miles
0.5
This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map
information is not guaranteed. Arizona State Parks assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in this map.
Verde River Paddle Trail Segment #2 River Description
Mile 1.25
A short trail leads to the river from the Flycatcher Road
parking area. Steps help boaters access the streambank.
Mile 1.25
The pool located here is one of the longest on this portion
of Verde River, generally stretching over a third of a mile.
Mile1.35
The pipe suspended over the river is a flume delivering
irrigation water to Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
Mile 1.65
The large pool ends with a small, shallow riffle.
Mile 1.75
This riffle is often very shallow at low flows. Higher flows
may send current into nearby trees.
Mile 1.75
Old car bodies on river left are remnants of an erosion
control technique that once enjoyed wide acceptance.
Mile 1.9
This riffle send the current into the river right bank.
Mile 2.0
Shallow riffle
Mile 2.2
The stream gradient of the Verde River lessens here. Riffles in this vicinity can become very shallow and clogged.
Mile 2.4
Heavy vegetation including cat tails, willows, reeds and
cottonwoods appear to block the river channel here.
Scout from river left.
Mile 2.5
The river channel continue to be obstructed with prolific
riparian species revegetating a former gravel pit. Proceed
with caution and scout often.
Mile 2.6
A cottonwood forest straddles the river channel here.
Scout from river left.
Mile 2.7
Bridge provide access to Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
It was built in 1993 to replace a low water crossing.
Mile 3.0
Dead Horse Ranch State Park River Day Use Area.
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3520
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34°44'30"N
3440
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5
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34
Verde River Greenway Paddle Trail
Segment 3
80
34
0
336
Private Land
Please Respect
Property Owners
Downstream
112°0'0"W
4.
ile
M
0
112°0'30"W
For more information contact:
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area
928-639-0312
www.azstateparks.com
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Dead Horse Ranch
State Park /
Verde River Greenway
State Natural Area
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112°1'0"W
112°0'30"W
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3440
0
332
Cultural Area of Interest
Scout
Hazard
Trees
Riffle
Verde River Greenway Offices
Parking
Trails
River Access Point
Roads
34°45'30"N
0
0.05
0.2
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0.1
Mi
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3.0
0.3
34°45'0"N
0.4
Miles
0.5
This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map
information is not guaranteed. Arizona State Parks assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in this map.
Verde River Paddle Trail Segment #3 River Description
Mile 3.0
The Dead Horse Ranch State Park River Day Use Area
provides paved access, parking, restrooms and water.
Mile 3.1
Large steel beams protrude from the river left shoreline.
These are called “jacks.” They are remains of an erosion
control effort that followed the 1993 flood.
Mile 3.2
A small riffle turns sharply left amid a cat tail patch.
Mile 3.3
This riffle turns almost 90 degrees right and send current
into erosion control boulders on the shoreline. Scout left.
Mile 3.55
River right streambank is covered with many large chunks
of broken concrete. They are an erosion control method.
Mile 3.65
River channel turns right then left. A diagonal tree grows
in the middle of the turn.
Mile 3.9
River turns sharply left in small chute between trees.
Mile 4.0
Box Canyon Wash enters river. Summer storms can
flush gravel and debris into river. Willows block left channel. Scout on right.
Mile 4.1
River turns 90 degrees to right. Verde River Lakebed
Formation exposed at river level. Deep pool is a popular
fishing and swimming hole. Public land on both sides of
river for almost a half mile here.
Mile 4.5
River flows through small dogleg amid trees and brush.
Mile 4.6
Trees on river left.
Mile 4.7
Shallow riffle
Mile 4.95
River does tight dogleg to left. Current washes into
gravel cutbank on river right. Trees and debris can clog
narrow chute. Scout from river left.
Mile 5.1
Mingus Avenue Extension Bridge.
111°59'0"W
111°59'30"W
Verde River Greenway Paddle Trail
Segment 4
6.5 Mile
ne
La
or n
hw
ay
yd
Hig
89
A
Ha
111°59'0"W
For more information contact:
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area
928-639-0312
www.azstateparks.com
3360
20
3440
Coconino
National
Forest
112°0'0"W
33
3400
3400
3440
34
80
34°44'0"N
6.0 Mile
34°43'30"N
Downstream
Private Land
Please Respect
Property Owners
34
80
Verde River
Greenway
State Natural
Area
3480
34
40
3520
Private Land
Please Respect
Property Owners
111°59'30"W
5.5 Mile
34
00
in
M
gu
3280
ve
34°44'0"N
sA
River Access Point
Ri
ve
rA
cc
Trees
Trails
es
s
Scout
Roads
34°44'30"N
0
112°0'0"W
0.05
0.1
0.2
0.3
112°0'30"W
34°44'30"N
No
112°0'30"W
0.4
Miles
0.5
This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map
information is not guaranteed. Arizona State Parks assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in this map.
Verde River Paddle Trail Segment #4 River Description
Mile 5.1
The Mingus Avenue Extension Bridge was completed in
2005 at a total cost of $20-million. There is NO public
river access on either side of the river at this crossing.
Mile 5.1
The river bends sharply right under the Mingus Bridge.
The current flows into a tree and debris pile on river left.
Mile 5.2
A tree on river left extends branches into the channel.
Mile 5.3
A small gravel bar can be shallow at low flow.
Mile 5.4
This large, still pool can be slow going with headwinds.
Mile 5.65
River enters a VRG-SNA parcel.
Mile 5.75
A large island gravel bar provides two channels. Paddle
into the pool on river left to scout from the island. The left
channel often features one or more log obstructions as
well as beaver-chewed tree stumps.
Please Respect Private Property on river left.
Mile 6.0
Current in small riffle pushes toward left bank.
Mile 6.15
River flows into trees on right stream bank. The pool
here is normally big enough to allow space to avoid trees.
Mile 6.25
Easy going paddling as end of Paddle Trail approaches.
Mile 6.4
Nice riffle below bluff on river left.
Mile 6.5
The Verde River Paddle Trail River Access Point is on
river right. The take out is marked with a brown carsonite
sign. The stream bank is often slippery. Boats and river
gear must be carried about 100 yards along a sandy trail
leading west to Haydorn Lane. Vehicle parking is allowed
near the large gate fronting Haydorn Lane. The 1993
Flood damaged structures once located at this site. The
land was subsequently acquired by the State of Arizona
for the Verde River Greenway-State Natural Area.
The Haydorn Lane RAP is Day Use Only.
