Verde River Sheep Bridge, Historic suspension bridge across Verde River in Carefree, United States.
Verde River Sheep Bridge is a suspension bridge made of steel cables and wooden decking that crosses the Verde River inside Tonto National Forest, north of Carefree, Arizona. It was built to move sheep across the river during seasonal grazing cycles and is still walkable today.
The bridge was built in 1943 using salvaged materials from two local mines, so the Flagstaff Sheep Company could move its herds across the Verde River during grazing season. It remained in use until 1978 and was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Workers from Basque, French Basque, Mexican, and Hispanic communities built this structure under the Flagstaff Sheep Company's direction. Their collaboration shaped how the local landscape was used for livestock management across generations.
The bridge is reached by an unpaved road through Tonto National Forest that can become impassable after rain, so it is best to check conditions before heading out. Cooler months are a good time to go, when the river is lower and the heat is less intense.
Near the western end of the bridge, natural hot springs feed into cattle watering basins that were built as part of the original ranching setup and are still there today. Most visitors walk past them without realizing what they are looking at.
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