DeadHorse Ranch State Park

With trepidation, we hook up, load up and depart Dead Horse Ranch State Park leaving the images of Sedona in the rear view mirror. We hated saying good-bye to Sedona’s natural beauty of red-rocks.

Many of these red-rock buttes, spires, and monuments have names, such as the popular Coffee Pot Rock. Red Rock Country is definitely worth the visit on any trip to Arizona. I know it’ll be a regular stop for Al and me. We already look forward to returning.

And while the red-rocks are majestic and stunning, another site catches our eyes….McDonald’s. Oh, but this McDonald’s is special. It’s the only one in the world where the Golden Arches are Turquoise Arches. Turquoise is a color most associated with the desert southwest. As I’m taking a photo, a gentleman from Japan joins me to my left, while a woman from Spain joins me on my right. Sedona is a highlight for folks from around the world. We all comment about the Turquoise Arches and the southwest architecture as we snap away.

With the Rig pointed south, we slowly meander toward Phoenix. Arizona is a land of contrast and diversity. The scenery is undeniably beautiful, ranging from hot and dry deserts to evergreen mountain forests to towering red rocks and canyon gorges.

One minute we’re traveling among ignored, undeveloped desert, the next we stumble across an old pioneer graveyard or ghost town. Then within a few short miles, we happen upon a populated area of new homes and shopping centers.

It appears everything in Arizona is either very old or very new. What an amazing land. And it’s ours to explore!

I’m speaking of the State Park….Dead Horse Ranch State Park located in Cottonwood, Arizona. Quite a name, isn’t it?

How the park got its name – The Ireys family came to Arizona from Minnesota looking to buy a ranch in the late 1940’s. At one of the ranches they discovered a large dead horse lying by the road. After two days of viewing ranches, Dad Ireys asked the kids which ranch they liked the best. The kids said, “the one with the dead horse”. The Ireys family chose the name Dead Horse Ranch and late, in 1973, when Arizona State Parks acquired the park, the Ireys made retaining the name a condition of sale.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park covers 423 acres and sits at an elevation of 3,300 feet. The park is located within the Coconino National Forest and provides ample trails for hiking or biking, as well as water for canoeing or fishing.

The spiritual town of Sedona is an easy 20 minute drive from Dead Horse Ranch State Park. LuAnn over at Paint Your Landscape graciously sent me information and recommendations on the area. Thank you, LuAnn.

Our first stop was Chapel of the Holy Cross. What a fascinating structure. The mere thought of constructing this unique building boggles my mind.

After a moment of reflection at the chapel, we stop at an architecturally pleasing shopping center called Tlaqquepaque….no, I don’t know how to pronounce it.

Followed by a great Mexican meal at Javelina Cantina. They serve some of the best salsa Al and I have ever eaten. With tummies full, we return to the RV at Dead Horse Ranch State Park with plans to return to Sedona in the morning for breakfast. I’m already looking forward to it 🙂