About

The Jail Trail River Walk is a 1.6-mile loop trail located in Old Town Cottonwood, AZ. The Jail Trail River Walk is a part of the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area (SNA) which was designated in 1986 to preserve and protect the Verde River and its corridor of riverside habitat. This section of the Verde River Greenway SNA is managed by Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

What You'll See

The Verde River is a crucial source of habitat and resources to wildlife in arid climate of the Verde Valley. While hiking along the Jail Trail River Walk, one may see migrating Rufous Hummingbirds, Common Black Hawks, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Southwestern Willow Flycatchers, and Monarch butterflies. One might also see a family of white-tailed deer or Great Horned Owls perched in the towering cottonwoods looking for their next meal. There are a number of interpretive signs that further describe the wildlife and ecosystem of the area.

The Jail Trail River Walk serves as a site for the Arizona Birding Trail, a network of more than 300 birding and watchable wildlife sites across the state. For more information, visit their website here.

Getting There

The parking lot for the Jail Trail River Walk is located at 1053 North Main Street in Cottonwood, AZ. There is a free parking lot and the trailhead is located at the northern end of the lot.

Helpful Tips

Amenities 

Parking.

entrance requirements

None. 

Contact 

Arizona State Parks, Dead Horse Ranch State Park

(928) 634-5283