I have a confession to make: I’m a state park junkie. I love just about any trail in the National Forest, but there’s something special about a clean, beautiful state park full of features that feel like they were built for me. I’m especially fond of Dead Horse State Park, despite the name. My friend and I call it “Dancing Sycamore on the Verde,” which we think suits its regal beauty far better—and we’re pretty sure more people would visit if that were its name.
For those not in the know: Dead Horse Ranch was named by the kids in a family looking to buy a ranch in Cottonwood. They visited several properties and, at the end of the day, their parents asked which one they liked best. “The one with the dead horse outside!” the kids said. The family found this hilarious and the name stuck. When the ranch was later sold to Arizona State Parks, the contract specified that the name could never be changed. I like to imagine that kid in heaven, laughing at everyone who still balks at the odd name.
Dead Horse State Park offers a perfect escape from Sedona's crowds—I love its trails, the Tavasci Marsh, the easy loops around the ponds, the friendly volunteers and rangers, and of course, my deep affection for the Verde River with my favorite swimming spots.
Hidden Magic
My relationship with Red Rock is more complicated. It often feels like they're drawing blood at entry, with a "stay out" vibe from all the rules. A Dead Horse ranger even confessed it's nicknamed the "No-No Park" among employees due to the abundance of DO NOT signs—and I'll admit, the people there aren't as welcoming as at Dead Horse.
But if you time it right—right after rain or snow, walking the creek trails at 8 AM before anyone arrives—it feels like wandering your own magical kingdom. My heart swells with the blessing of it all.
Other Favorite Parks
Rocking Ranch, the new park in Camp Verde, feels like Dead Horse's equally lovely but quieter little sister. It's only open limited days, so I've visited just twice—but I enjoyed it immensely both times. With very low visitor numbers, it feels like you have the place entirely to yourself.
Patagonia Lake State Park is another favorite. I stay nearby a couple of times a
year, and after my daily swim across the lake, I like to hike the
gorgeous, animal-filled birding trail along Sonoita Creek. There are
many rare birds, plus deer and always delights along the way.
Picacho Peak makes a lovely short stop on road trips south. Just last week, I visited Catalina State Park for three days, savoring a new trail each day like a fresh chocolate from the box. Catalina was shining like a gemstone this spring—lush green, dotted with fat and happy saguaros along every trail.
Fool Hollow State Park in Show Low is wonderful for cooler summer camping along the quiet lakeshore section reserved for campers, with on-demand hot showers and another super-friendly staff.
The Rising Fees
So, no, I can’t give this up, no matter the fee. I’m in that smallest poll
category of “financially stretched but going anyway,” because I love
these park marvels. They enrich my life, and I can’t lose them.
Still, the fee hike—from $75 to $200—was a shock and an outrage. I was mad. I
was insulted. How could they conspire to put more distance between me
and these beloved places? Aren’t they mine, too, as an Arizona resident?
When I asked staff at the entrance gates about the increase, they all gave the same scripted answer: “We haven’t raised the fees in 13 years, so we’re just catching up with the times.” When I asked if attendance had dropped, each insisted there had been no decline in public use.
I set out to investigate and did three polls on next door. Admitedly this was s mall poll with 71 responses total in 3 polls but the comments tell a different story than the ones the personal at the State parks would lead us to believe.
Arizona State Parks fee hike polls from three northern Arizona spots (total votes: 71) show strong backlash, with 66% overall reporting reduced/stopped visits. The choices were no impct to their state park visits, financial stretch but still using, reduced or stopped state park usage or no state park usage.
Combined Results
Response Poll 1 Poll 2 Poll 3 Total (%) Raw Votes
No impact 15% 14% 32% 18% 13
Financial stretch 6% 10% 5% 7% 5
Reduced/stopped 73% 61% 50% 66% 47
Don't use parks 6% 0% 13% 9% 6
Voices from Nextdoor Polls (71 responses)
"That is a shocking increase. What reason was given?" —L.R., Sedona
"My guess is that they’re either running at an annual loss, or they don’t have the funds for proper maintenance and improvements." —D.V., Village of Oak Creek
"Our family has spent so many years camping, hiking and fishing and the fees have gradually gotten higher. My husband has had blood cancer for two years which has burned through our savings and emergency funds and we are now living week to week… we really want to go camping for a few days this spring but between higher gas, higher fees, higher grocery prices etc I am not sure we can swing it. I wish that national and state parks belonged to the people like they used to. I used to take my kids to Dead Horse and we would walk and hike and just spend time in nature but that too is not in our budget. Makes me very sad." —C.H., Verde Village
"The states beauracracy is bloated at the top. Enough is enough with their greed." —D.R., Verde Lakes
"Every year I would get a pass for Dead Horse and use it at least 2-3 times per month. I recently retired and can longer afford the pass maybe they should offer a senior local price." —M.A., Verde Village
"That seems outrageous to me. I won't be able to afford it on social security." —M.S., Kachina Village
"I'm not currently going to AZ state parks but it sounds like 'Pay more, get less'. Like the way gvmnt cut way back on park employees & now more than doubling the price. Highway robbery!" —J.B., Sedona
"Terrible way to penalize Arizona residents." —M.J.C., Flagstaff
"I wish Arizona had a permanent senior pass like the National Parks do. They’d make a lot of money for probably pretty light usage." —L.B., Verde Lakes
"Retired, too much to spend for the year. They do not have a senior or senior lifetime pass like the national parks do." —B.P., Village of Oak Creek
"They need a Senior discount. I'm on a fixed income. This year, I knew it was coming and I saved up a bit of my monthly discretionary dollars to afford the pass. But, I doubt I'll be able to afford it next year or beyond. I also am no longer doing a yearly camping trip to Catalina. I'll miss that one so much." —S.B., Verde Valley
"It's bizarre to me." —N.M., Sedona
"Now that the state park fee is 3x higher than access to all the national parks and forests, there is ZERO reason to go to a state park. I'm sure their revenue will drop dramatically as a result." —J.V., Sedona
"Out of line increase." —R.F.
"A single park pass at a discounted rate for seniors. Most of the folks who have been speaking out over the past year only tend to use their local park. They see no value in being able to use the other parks with the pass." —R.F.
"As my Dad would say, 'you have to like it more than your money'. And sadly, some folks cannot fit it into their budget even when they would love too." —R.D., Verde Village
"The State Park pass fee is the highest in the country. There aren’t any discounts for seniors, people with disabilities, or Arizona residents. Because of this, many seniors on fixed incomes find it hard to afford an annual park pass. The basic Phoenix Zoo yearly membership is $169 for two adults. The Out of Africa yearly membership for 2 adults is $139. America the Beautiful Park yearly pass is only $80. We used to buy two yearly passes, one for each car, but we don’t anymore. Given the steep rise in yearly pass prices, I expected some improvements at Dead Horse State Park for the daily walkers. Sadly, I still have to walk in the street. I was told that was necessary to raise prices because Arizona State Parks do not receive any federal funds. In 2024 Arizona received $6 million for outdoor recreation and conservation from the Department of the Interior." —K.P., Verde Village
(Later correction: "I have make a correction to my post. Arizona is the second highest park pass. Kansas is the winner at $202.50.")
Opposing view: "As an environmentalist, I believe we must pay people a good wage to attract, retain, and promote people to go into these ft, since we only have a limited amount of resources, it is only fair that we increase the fees. I love nature and a few more dollars won’t stop me. Rangers and forest workers don’t make huge salaries, and if we don’t increase their salaries, we won’t attract people to these fields. All of us benefit from the forest, let’s pay them a fair wage even if we have to increase their salaries fees. We can give up our wine, Starbucks, or beer if money is an issue." —J.S., Sedona
Arizona State Parks officially justifies the annual pass hike from $75 to $200 as a necessary catch-up after 13 years without increases, addressing inflation, rising maintenance costs like trail repairs and restrooms, higher staffing needs, and a heavy reliance on pass revenue since the system gets minimal state funding (under 5% of budget) and no direct federal recreation support.
This explanation drew mixed Nextdoor reactions—some locals get the
operational squeeze, but most decried the lack of senior discounts or
resident perks compared to cheaper national passes ($80). It also raises
questions: Why do neighboring states like Utah ($120 annual pass),
Colorado ($80 resident pass), and New Mexico ($60 adventure pass) keep
fees so much lower despite similar arid landscapes, heavy tourism, and
maintenance demands? Is there a cap to what fees can reach, or will only
wealthy people have access to these public treasures in the future? I
shudder to think of the day that may come when I, too, cannot afford to
walk these lands I love.
