1. Home
  2. Cities & Towns
  3. Phoenix

Day Trip to Payson

The Rim Country is just a couple of hours away from Phoenix,but it is about 20 degrees cooler. Payson and several of its smaller town neighbors make terrific day or weekend retreats from the big city. Here are links to attractions, events and other resources for Payson, Pine and Strawberry on the Mogollon Rim.

Articles & Resources


Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Up a category

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
About 10 miles north of Payson is one of the best Arizona State Parks. There is some strenuous hiking involved if you want to cover the entire trail, or you can just see the primary views and enjoy a picnic.

75 Things to Do on a Summer Day
This is a great list of activities you and your family can enjoy when visiting Payson and the Rim country from the Payson Roundup.

Annual Events in Rim Country
Provided by the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Christopher Creek
"We aren't a park and we don't have a theme. Christopher Creek is for people who want to hear the wind in the high mountain forest, the rushing water of our pristine mountain streams, or the bugle of an Rocky Mountain Elk. A place to feel the joy of leaving no tracks. A place to hike, fish, horseback ride, cross-country ski and meditate."

Historic Walking Tour of Pine-Strawberry
Follow the Walking History Trail of Pine and Strawberry in Gila County, Arizona.

12 more Articles & Resources below

Articles & Resources

more from your guide

Mazatzal Casino
The Mazatzal Casino is located on the south end of Payson on Hwy 87. The 38,000 square foot casino is located on Tonto Apache Tribal land. Mazatzal Casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Payson Monthly Average Temperatures
Also includes average rainfall. Keep in mind that it's about 5 degrees cooler than Payson when you're in Pine or Strawberry.

Payson Regional Economic Development Corporation
Considering a move to the Payson area? Here are some details about the communities of the Rim Country that will help.

Payson Rodeo
Held the third weekend in August, the country's Best Small Rodeo attracts the best from all over the world to compete. The weekend includes an old-fashioned parade and several days of "wild west" events.

Payson Roundup
The Roundup is the primary news and advertising source for the picturesque communities of the Rim country in central Arizona. The twice-weekly publication is based in Payson.

Pine Strawberry Museum
Tucked just beneath the famed Mogollon Rim, the Pine-Strawberry Museum in Pine, Arizona, was opened in 1979 for the purpose of displaying artifacts relative to the prehistory and history of Pine and Strawberry.

Rim Country Chamber of Commerce
Highway 87 brings you to Rim Country! Hike with llamas, attend rodeos and tribal dances, visit an archeology museum, explore wilderness areas or take a scenic flight. The phrase Rim Country encompasses the towns of Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Christopher Creek, and Star Valley, Arizona.

Sawmill Theaters
Sawmill Theaters shows first-run movies in Payson. There are six modern theaters with stadium-style seating.

Tonto National Forest
Tonto National Forest varies in elevation from 1,300 ft. to nearly 8,000 ft. and offers recreatinal activities all year long.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Tonto Natural Bridge is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.

Town of Payson Event Calendar
Here are the events and activities scheduled for the Town of Payson.

Town of Payson Official Site
Rich in Western heritage, this growing, modern town still hosts the "World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo."

Explore Phoenix

About.com Special Features

New Year's Eve in NYC

Not up to watching the ball drop in Times Square? Choose from this list of party picks instead. More >

Ring in 2010 in LA

Check out a sampling of many New Year's Eve events around town. More >

  1. Home
  2. Cities & Towns
  3. Phoenix
  4. Attractions and Events
  5. Day Trips
  6. Day Trip to Payson

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.