Payson AttractionsExploring the Mogollon Rim is just one of the Many Things to Do in Payson
Just 90 minutes north of Phoenix, Payson is one of the cooler, high elevation getaways that Valley residents and savvy travelers head to when the summer heat starts to wear on even the most hardened desert rat. Payson's almost perfect location, perched on the edge of the magnificent Mogollon Rim and surrounded by forests, steams and lakes provides enough camping, hiking, fishing and picnic spots to keep you busy all year. In fall, seeing the autumn leaf color is one of the favorite things to do in Payson. When the winter snows come, cross country skiing and snow play are popular Payson attractions. For the less adventurous, searching out the perfect antique or discovering the area's Old West past are just some of the other things to do in Payson Arizona. Here is our list of some of the best Payson things to do: Payson Attractions around Town
Green Valley Lake / Green Valley Park The centerpiece of the 40-acre park is three large lakes with fountains that are part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's urban fishing program. The fish here include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and blue gill. Gas-powered boats aren't allowed on the lakes but you can bring your own electric or human-powered boat. Kids will love the children's playground and an outdoor amphitheater is the site of a summer outdoor concert series. Plus the park is home to the Rim Country Museum. Note: No swimming or wading as the lakes receive treated water. Address: 600 S. Green Valley Parkway
Rim Country Museum Operated by the Northern Gila County Historical Society, the museum's diverse exhibits hold artifacts from the Apache tribes, timber, mining and agriculture industries and pioneer and cowboy memorabilia. You'll see a recreated blacksmith shop and a 1908 kitchen replica. Historic buildings at the museum include a century-old cabin, a replica of the Herron Hotel and the oldest U.S. Forest Service ranger station still standing in the Southwest. Fans of the popular Western writer Zane Grey will enjoy seeing his famous cabin. Address: 700 Green Valley Parkway
Zane Grey Cabin The cabin was the retreat of the celebrated Western author Zane Grey, whose Western novels about cowboys, Indians and life in the Old West were partially or wholly set in Arizona. Grey wrote one of his most famous, Call of the Canyon, in the cabin, which was in the forest outside of Payson. The cabin was one of the most popular Payson things to do for years until it burned down in the devastating 1990 Dude Fire. The Rim Country Museum has built a replica of Zane Grey's cabin on the museum grounds and even though it's not the original, it is still worth the visit. The cabin contains displays about the prolific author and his works, who wrote most of his most famous novels and screenplays while living in the Rim Country in the early 1900s. In 1929, the author left the area in a huff when he was denied a permit to shoot a bear out of season and never returned to Arizona. Details: Same as Rim Country Museum above.
Main Street Payson Here, you'll find some of the town's historic buildings, many of which are restored and now house art galleries and antique and collectibles stores. Shops such as Cedar Lane Antiques, Main Street Mercantile, Git a Rope! Trading Company, Granny's Attic Antique Market and Somewhere in Time Antiques carry Old West artifacts. Plus, they're all within easy walking distance of each other. After exploring the area, we recommend lunch at the Main Street Grille where we had an enjoyable lunch. Details: Rim Country Chamber of Commerce, 100 W. Main Street, 928-474-4515
Mazatzal Casino Payson Arizona The Mazatzal Casino (pronounced MAH-zat-zahl) offers the latest in high-tech gaming with slots, video poker, live black jack, a 250-seat bingo hall and a keno parlor. There's even a non-smoking slot machine room. In addition to gaming, the Payson Arizona casino has a sports bar, restaurant, video arcade and a gift shop selling Native American crafts. The adjoining Mazatzal Hotel has rooms with a separate sitting and sleeping area, large flat screen TVs and Wi-Fi high speed internet. Amenities include a pool, Jacuzzi and video arcade. Address: Highway 87 at Mile Marker 251on the south edge of Payson. Payson Attractions East of Town
Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery We loved the drive to the hatchery, tucked back into scenic forest along burbling Tonto Creek. Tonto Creek Hatchery gives a fascinating glimpse into the Arizona Game and Fish Department's trout-raising operations. Here, staff raise trout hatchlings, which will eventually be released to lakes and streams around the region. At the hatchery, children will love seeing the massive Apache, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout up close in the viewing pond where anyone can feed the fish. The Apache Trout is a native species that almost became extinct. Efforts by the White Mountain Apache, federal and state agencies helped increase the Apache trout's population numbers. A nice visitor center has natural history displays about the area. On weekends, a ranger gives presentations and even reveals a few secret fishing holes. Address: Tonto Creek Road
Tonto National Forest The almost 3 million acres of the Tonto National Forest are stunningly diverse with rivers, lakes, campgrounds, hiking trails and scenic drives through ponderosa pine forest at higher elevations and rugged cactus country at lower elevations. This is one of the most popular forests in the U.S., drawing about 5.8 million visitors annually. It's also the fifth largest forest, extending to the Mogollon Rim to the north, Phoenix to the south and the San Carlos and White Mountain Apache Indian Nations to the east. The Tonto protects the watersheds of the Salt and Verde Rivers, both of which attract river rafters. Information: Payson Ranger Station, 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, 928-474-7900
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Combined in 1974 and now managed as one unit, the Apache and Sitgreaves encompasses 2 million acres of high elevation ponderosa pine and fir forests that stretch all the way to the New Mexico border. These cool, green forests are perfect for escaping the summer heat of the desert below. With 34 cold water lakes and reservoirs and more than 680 miles of rivers and streams, you'll find more water here than in any other Southwestern national forest. All of those bodies of water are filled with trout making this one of the best U.S. forests for fishing. There are also trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, campgrounds and picnic areas. The Apache-Sitgreaves is home to 400 wildlife species and is great for bird watching and wildlife watching. Keep an eye out for black bear, elk, deer, mountain chickadees, osprey and eagles. The forest is also home to elusive species like bighorn sheep, mountain lions and the endangered Mexican gray wolf. In winter, the forest is a snow-covered wonderland when summer hiking trails become cross-country ski and snow shoe trails. Information: Lakeside Ranger Station, 2022 W. White Mountain Blvd., Lakeside, 928-368-2100
Woods Canyon Lake Scenic Woods Canyon Lake, set at the top of the Mogollon Rim, looks like a picture postcard from the Pacific Northwest. The 52-acre lake is stocked with trout and its five campgrounds nestled in the forest are some of the most popular Payson Arizona camping areas. Boat rentals, a nature trail, picnic area and ranger talks make this Payson attraction a family favorite. There's even a lakeside store which sells the basics in groceries and supplies. Details: On Forest Road 300. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, 928-333-4301
Rim Lakes Vista Trail You can't get much closer to the edge of the Mogollon Rim than this scenic and easy 5-mile round trip hike. About one mile of the trail is paved for accessible hiking. Plus, you can make the hike as long or short as you like by parking your car at one of several pull-offs along the trail. For those not inclined to hike, you can just park at one of the viewpoints to enjoy the scenery. Most of the trail meanders along the edge of the rim. And although the trail parallels Highway 260 far below, the trail is worth the reminder of civilization for its incredible views. Take time to rest on one of the rocky outcroppings that jut out from thick forest cover, giving awe-inspiring vistas of distant mountains and miles of pine forest stretching farther than the eye can see. Colorful wildflowers bloom along the trail in spring and summer. When you aren't gazing at the views, keep an eye out for wildlife including deer, elk, Abert's squirrel and turkey vultures. Location: Forest Road 300 between mileposts 39 and 40.
Christopher Creek The peaceful and pretty hamlet of Christopher Creek sits along the stream from which the town gets its name. Here, Phoenix residents escape the summer heat for a night in a rustic cabin or to try their luck at one of the many fishing holes. For steak, fish or cobbler, stop in at the Christopher Creek Steakhouse and Inn. Nearby the Tonto Creek and campground offers picnic spots and hiking trails through a wooded wonderland of creeks, waterfalls and forest. In summer, keep your eyes out for butterflies, birds, squirrels and wild mushrooms. Information: Tall Pines Market and Post Office, 1101 Christopher Creek Loop; 928-478-4550 Payson Attractions North of Town
Tonto National Bridge State Park Hidden away in a quiet canyon is one of Arizona's natural wonders - the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Pine Creek and the waterfall that eroded the rock bridge have created a quiet grotto of hanging ferns, mosses and flowers where the constant drip of water soothes on a hot day. You can see the bridge from an overlook above its 183-foot height or hike down to a platform that brings you close to the base of its 400-foot long tunnel. This park was once a family homestead and the historic house now serves as a visitor's center with a gift shop and displays on the site's history and ecology. Large lawns and picnic sites make this a pleasant spot to spend an afternoon. Note: Due to Arizona's budget problems, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is open only open for part of the week. Call ahead before visiting to make sure that the park is open. Address: Forest Road 583 at Highway 87
Pine Pine is the first and larger of the two. Settled in 1879 by Mormon pioneers, today Pine is a popular summer getaway for its cool temperatures, art galleries, antique shops in historic houses and scenic views. The Pine-Strawberry Museum, in the Pine Community Center, focuses on the history of the two small towns. Exhibits include farming and household equipment that run without electricity, antique furniture, area archeology and the histories of the founding families. While at the Center, you can pick up maps of the area or find out about the history walking tours of Pine and Strawberry. Information: Pine-Strawberry Museum and Information Center, 928-476-3547
Strawberry But that's not the only reason to visit Strawberry, which is just three miles north of Pine. This is one of the historic Payson attractions and is a charming village with bed and breakfasts, cabins, cafes and the Strawberry Schoolhouse. Open in 1884, it is the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona. Strawberry has hiking and horseback riding areas too but for something different, stop in at the Fossil Creek Llama Ranch. You can sit in on a lecture about llamas, learn hands-on grooming tips and even go on a hike with a llama. Information: Pine-Strawberry Museum and Information Center, 928-476-3547 Note: This information was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Payson Arizona Travel Guide from Payson Attractions
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