Great horned owls hoot from canyon crevices. And all the music of the night is played in concert with the sound of moving water. It s not often that you can traverse a desert expanse in an open canoe enjoying the odd combinations of whitewater and cacti, surfing holes and parched arroyos, otters and buzzards. I highly recommend it. The section of most interest to boaters lies east of I-17, some 50 to 80 miles north of Phoenix and an equal distance south of Flagstaff.
Several accesses are available.
Consult the sources listed below for advice. Rather than tackle the rough, unpaved Forest Service road to Sheep Bridge, many boaters prefer to paddle the remaining eight miles or so to the Ocotillo Boat Ramp on Horseshoe Reservoir. The first nine miles are slow and flat, ideal for less-experienced paddlers. The Verde can rise dramatically after heavy rains, becoming a muddy, silt-laden torrent. Flash floods can occur throughout the year but are more common during the summer monsoon season.