A little island warmth in the high desert. We bring lei-and-aloha to the red rocks, just down the road from Old Town Cottonwood. We sit on Cherry Street about five minutes from Old Town, a few minutes from Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Verde River, about ten minutes from Clarkdale, twenty from Sedona, and just over an hour from Prescott. Here is how to give your dog a great Verde Valley day: the closest dog parks, the best leashed river and red-rock trails, dog-friendly Old Town patios, and what to do with your pup while you ride the train or tour Sedona.
Guests and locals welcome. Whether you're down the road or over the mountain, you're 'ohana here.
Call (928) 639-1624Get directionsWe sit right in the middle of the Verde Valley, so most of the valley is a short drive. Coming from Sedona? About twenty minutes. From Camp Verde, about fifteen. From Clarkdale, about ten. From Old Town Cottonwood, about five minutes down Cherry Street.
Driving in from Prescott or Prescott Valley? You are about an hour away, over Mingus Mountain or up the interstate. From Flagstaff, about an hour and fifteen down the 89A. Lots of our 'ohana come over for a wine day or a Sedona trip and leave the dog with us. Drop off for daycare or a groom and enjoy the day.
The Verde River and Oak Creek are the heart of it, 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 and Flagstaff stay cool. Not sure about the water or the heat today? Drop your dog with us for the day instead.
Sources: AKC, ASPCA, AVMA, Arizona Game & Fish, NPS Tuzigoot.
Our backyard is one of the best dog spots in the state. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is about seven minutes away, with more than twenty miles of shared-use trails, river access, and fishing lagoons, all open to leashed dogs. The Verde River Greenway runs right alongside it. About five minutes from us, the fenced Cottonwood Riverfront Dog Park lets the leash come off. Come home dusty? Book a fresh groom on the way back.
See dog parks near Cottonwood →There are two real fenced off-leash parks in the wide radius: the Cottonwood Riverfront Dog Park (about five minutes away) and the Sedona Dog Park at Posse Grounds (about thirty minutes). Most of the valley's best hiking is leashed-dog friendly, including Dead Horse Ranch, the Verde River Greenway, Tuzigoot, and many of the Coconino National Forest red-rock trails near Sedona.
Want the full rundown of leashed trails and the Red Rock Pass? Read our hiking guide.
From the fenced Cottonwood Riverfront Dog Park to Dead Horse Ranch and the Verde River Greenway, here are the closest off-leash and leashed spots, and what to know before you go.
See dog parks →Leashed trails from Dead Horse Ranch and Tuzigoot to the Sedona red rocks, plus the Red Rock State Park no-dogs warning so you do not get turned away.
See trails →Dog-friendly Old Town patios and Cornville winery grounds, framed as the look-and-smell-sharp-first groom. We keep your pup fresh and ready.
Book a groom first →The Verde Valley Wine Trail runs right through Old Town Cottonwood, about five minutes from us, with tasting rooms along Main Street and more wineries out toward Cornville and Page Springs, about fifteen to twenty minutes. Driving over from Prescott for the wineries? You are about an hour away, over Mingus or up the interstate, and the tasting rooms are indoors, so the dog cannot come along on the flight or the tour van. Drop your dog with us for the day, sip your way down the trail, and pick up a happy, freshly groomed pup on your way back over the mountain.
Cross-sell yourself a calm trip: daycare while you tour, a groom while you taste. Book ahead so we hold the spot.
The Verde Valley is full of places your dog cannot join you. The Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale, about ten minutes away, is a four-hour ride that does not take dogs. Sedona jeep tours, balloon rides, Out of Africa, a round of golf, a resort spa afternoon, none of them are made for a pup. So make it a vacation for both of you. Drop your dog with us for a half day or a full day; they get to play and socialize while you go explore, and you pick up a happy, freshly groomed pup on your way back to your room.
Golf and groom. A round of golf runs about four to five hours, which is about the length of a full groom. Drop the dog for a groom while you play and pick up a fresh pup when you finish. Boarding is here too when you are away overnight.
On vacation and your dog is not settling in the room? Many hotels and resorts around here will not let you leave a dog alone, and a barking complaint can cost you a fee or your reservation. Before that happens, bring them to us for the day. Keep your room, keep your deposit, and keep your vacation.
We are at 1461 E Cherry St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, in the east-Cottonwood commercial corridor near the Hwy 89A and Mingus Avenue area, a few minutes southeast of Old Town. Palms out front, pines and red rocks on the horizon. Your dog gets the island treatment either way.
The Cottonwood Riverfront Dog Park, a fenced off-leash park about five minutes away with separate areas for large and small dogs.
Yes, on leash. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, the Verde River Greenway, Tuzigoot, and many Coconino National Forest red-rock trails near Sedona all allow leashed dogs.
No. Red Rock State Park does not allow dogs and the rule is strictly enforced. It is easy to confuse with the national forest red-rock trails, which do allow leashed dogs. When in doubt, drop your dog with us for the day.
Usually, with care. Keep dogs out of warm, still, or scummy water, which can grow blue-green algae that is dangerous to drink, and rinse with clean water after a swim. Watch currents after rain or snowmelt.
Drop your dog with us for a half or full day. The train, jeep and balloon tours, Out of Africa, golf, and resort spas do not take dogs, so your dog gets a play day while you explore and you pick up a happy, freshly groomed pup.
Yes. You are about an hour away, over Mingus Mountain or up the interstate, and the Verde Valley tasting rooms are indoors, so dogs cannot come along on a tasting or a tour. Drop your dog with us for the day, enjoy the wine trail, and pick them up freshly groomed on your way home.
Bring them to us. Many hotels and resorts around here do not allow dogs to be left unattended, and a barking complaint can mean a fee or losing your room. Day-board or use daycare with us so you keep your room and your vacation.
About 20 minutes from Sedona, 15 from Camp Verde, 10 from Clarkdale, and just over an hour from Prescott and Prescott Valley. We are right in the middle of the Verde Valley, a few minutes from Old Town Cottonwood.
We are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and grooming is available 7 days a week.
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The Verde Valley is built for dogs, if you know the ground
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Dog parks near Cottonwood
Hiking with dogs
Patios & the wine trail