Rockin' River Ranch State Park - Camp Verde, Arizona

KR AZ

Newly opened State Park near Camp Verde. About 90 minutes from Phoenix. A nice getaway with a few trails open and connectors with more to come. Lots of parking at each trailhead with pit toilets. Lots of river access as well. A variety of wildlife can be seen such as deer, javelina, a variety of birds and more. There is no running water in the park so bring plenty or there is some available for sale at the park store near the Ranger Station at entrance.

Lea Epperson

The park opened less than a year ago and is on land that was acquired from an old ranch estate. The buildings are beautiful and historic and perfectly represent our Arizona Cowboy History. The cliffs across the river are sacred and the river is beautiful and represents human, animal and the plant life native to Verde Valley. Thank you AZ for protecting this important part of Arizona.

Greg Gerber

Nice park with lots of wide, gravel hiking trails. Affordable admission fee and not busy at all when I visited on a Friday in July. All roads are dirt and so are the parking areas, but I did not mind. I spotted a lot of salamanders and one deer.

However, I was very disappointed a park with the name "Rockin' River" had so little access to an actual river.

You have to walk a short distance off trail to even see the river. The provided map shows where you can get close, and I could hear the water or kayakers in several areas.

But, once you find the river, there is no place to sit and enjoy it.

Rv_life_Road_Travel_ Minimalist (Aika)

Visited here last 2 weeks ago, all in all it's good oltho we went to this area along with clear creek area, the river share same path tho.. anyways the rocking river ranch closes at 5pm we never even see the sunset in this area, when we went here 3 cars passes by, mind you this is small area so walking is much appreciated for the surrounding, the area is NEW so give it sometime to develop, few of new benches where set on the area, clean rest rooms and plenty picnic table in designated area, theres no playground for kids as this moment..
Internet connection is ok Verizon users*
▪︎Btw we came here around 3:45pm so we are in hurry checking the area by walking*

Joseph Dickey

Awesome new park. Amenities are still in development but, restoration of this old ranch makes a great experience providing public access to this historic property. The access to the river, with trails through the natural environment is a great experience. It's not overly urbanized but, for many people I know that experience this park, this is appreciated. The park staff were super friendly and helpful!

A Z

This is an underrated state park. I went there thinking it would be ho-hum, but I actually had a blast. It was a beautiful drive there too, as you drive past some ranches along the way, and then as you enter you drive down a gravel road. The first parking lot to the right of the pay booth is just a small lot next to a wooden amphitheater, and the second lot allows for horse trailer parking and is next the Pasture Loop Trail (I didn't continue too far down, but with just a few minutes in, I could see the old ranch house surrounded by a fence). Across the gravel road was Shady Acres Trail- which in under 5 minutes takes you down to picnic table by the river. Lots of shade from the trees.

Plenty of parking in this second lot, and there are accessible spots too. (Note- all parking lots are gravel, but the accessible spots however are made out of concrete- and there's usually a small concrete path leading out, however the trails are all gravel.)

The third parking lot (next to White Cliffs Trailhead) is where the fun starts. You'll park and then you can cross the gravel road to the trailhead. Within a few minutes you'll be walking under some huge trees (very beautiful to see the golden leaves in the fall), and there's benches to rest on too-- and shortly you'll hear and then see the river. I saw at least two places to walk down right up to the river. Absolutely beautiful and I could see the rapids and pristine water. I only walked about 15 minutes, then turned back.

Though I didn't walk the entire White Cliffs trail, the trick is you can see the cliffs part of it by parking at the last parking lot which is across from the Miano Trailhead. Continue for a quarter mile or so on Miano and then you'll turn left. From there, in a minute or so, you should see a path on your right. This path does not have signs, however the path is lined with tree sticks on both sides; follow the path enclosed in the tree sticks and it will take you to the white cliffs. You can get right up to the river - and it's quite a nice sight to see the babbling clean river flow against the white cliffs.

Overall, great experience. What I loved most was just how I could walk a few minutes at each trail (except Pasture) and see the river.

Lalana Campbell

Fairly new park. The White Cliffs trail goes along the Verde River area. Wish there was more trails that go right down to the water.

Jack Murray

New state park just opened day use only park is still in progress but will be a very nice place to hike or enjoy nature