From a fenced off-leash park about five minutes away to twenty-plus miles of leashed river trail at Dead Horse Ranch, here are the closest spots to run your dog in the Verde Valley. A little island warmth, a lot of red-rock country. Read the water and trail safety note below before you head out, then bring home a dusty pup and book a fresh groom.
The Verde River is the heart of the valley, but warm, still water can grow blue-green algae that is dangerous to drink, so keep your dog out of scummy or standing pools and rinse with clean water after a swim. On the trails, watch for rattlesnakes from spring through fall, carry water, and remember the valley floor heats up fast in summer even when Sedona stays cool. Not sure about the water or the heat today? Drop your dog with us for the day instead.
Sources: AKC, ASPCA, Arizona Game & Fish, NPS Tuzigoot.
Distances are approximate drive times from our shop on Cherry Street. Confirm posted rules and hours before you go.
The single best local off-leash spot. Inside Riverfront Park on River Front Road, with three zones: large dogs, small or shy dogs, and a training area. Water stations, shade and bag dispensers.
Fresh up after →The flagship. More than twenty miles of shared-use trails, Verde River access, fishing lagoons and riparian forest across 423 acres. Leashed dogs welcome on trails and in the campground. A small entry fee applies.
Fresh up after →A natural area along the Verde River, part of Dead Horse Ranch, with riverside hiking and water access. Keep dogs leashed and rinse off after any river contact.
Fresh up after →A paved interpretive trail around a hilltop Sinagua pueblo with valley and river views, plus the Tavasci Marsh nearby. Leashed dogs welcome outside the visitor center, but the cement gets hot with little shade.
Fresh up after →Worth the drive for a Sedona day. Fully fenced with separate large-dog, small-dog and senior areas, plus a larger natural off-leash zone. Current vaccinations required; verify seasonal hours before you go.
Fresh up after →A leashed green space with dog-friendly trails and an open field at the south end of the valley. Not a fenced off-leash park, so keep the leash on.
Fresh up after →Details from City of Cottonwood, Arizona State Parks and NPS Tuzigoot. Confirm posted rules before you go.
We are minutes from the Riverfront, Dead Horse Ranch and the greenway, on Cherry Street southeast of Old Town Cottonwood. After the park, book a groom to wash off the river dust and trail grit, or leave your pup for daycare while you explore. Verde Valley perfume after a swim? We do a de-skunk and de-odor treatment too. Aloha-fresh again.
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Verde River and trail safety, before you go