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Destination Payson

Plan your visit

Plan a stay in Payson.

About 90 minutes north of Phoenix on State Route 87, and often 15–20° cooler than the Valley. Choose a pace, then use the directory for groceries, care, and the Visitor Center.

Monster watch. He has been reported in this country. He is shy, and also enormous.

Choose the day

Start with what you came to do. The details, including the drive from town, are on the next page.

  • Day drives

    • North on Highway 87 to Pine. The shops are there. Strawberry is a few minutes farther. Tonto Natural Bridge is the stop on the way. About 20 minutes.
    • East on Highway 260 when the day is the Rim. That road passes Christopher Creek. It is not the destination.
    • Rim Road and Control Road for the overlooks, when they are open. Road notes

  • Trails

    Walks and hikes, from the lake path in town to Horton Creek, the Highline, and Fossil Springs.

    Find a trail

  • Off-road

    Forest roads for ATVs, UTVs, and high-clearance trucks. Stay on designated roads, and check that the route is open.

    See the routes

  • Rockhounding

    Quartz at Diamond Point, and common sea fossils at the Paleo Site on Highway 260. Digging has a season.

    See the rules

  • Mountain biking

    Ubuntu, Houston Mesa, the east-side granite, and the ride between Pine and Strawberry.

    See the rides

  • Lakes and creeks

    The town lakes, the East Verde, the Rim lakes out to Woods Canyon, and C.C. Cragin, still called Blue Ridge.

    See the water

  • Fishing

    Town lakes, the East Verde, Rim trout lakes, and C.C. Cragin, still called Blue Ridge.

    See where to fish

  • Kayaking

    Flat water at the town lakes, Woods Canyon, and C.C. Cragin. The creeks are not a river run.

    See where to paddle

  • Pine and Strawberry

    A day trip north. Pine has the little shops. Strawberry is quieter, a few minutes farther.

    See the day

  • In town

    Main Street, the parks, the rodeo, and what is on the calendar while you are here.

    See what is on

Three ways to spend the days

Day one

  1. 1Drive State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, north from the Valley. Allow about two hours if you leave Phoenix in traffic.
  2. 2Walk the lakes at Green Valley Park while the light is still good. The path is flat.
  3. 3Have dinner on Main Street and stay in town for the night.

Day two

  1. 1Start at the Visitor Center on Main Street for a map and current road conditions.
  2. 2Hike Horton Creek if you want a full walk, or go to Water Wheel if you would rather be beside the river before lunch.
  3. 3If Forest Road 300 is open, drive the Rim for the late light. If it is closed, save the overlooks for another visit.

Eat and stay

Popular with visitors. Not paid listings. Each name opens a map.

Lodging

Restaurants

Before you go

  • Payson sits at about 5,000 feet. The sun is stronger here, and a Phoenix afternoon is often 15–20° warmer.
  • State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, is the usual drive from Phoenix: about 90 minutes without traffic, longer on a Friday.
  • The lakes at Green Valley Park are for fishing, not swimming. An Arizona fishing license is required.
  • Forest roads, including the Rim Road, close for snow, fire, and mud. Confirm access before you follow a map pin.
  • The Visitor Center is closed on Sunday. Parks & Recreation is closed Friday through Sunday.
Dusk on a small mountain-town main street

Payson Visitor Center

100 West Main Street

Monday–Saturday, 9am–3pm. Closed Sunday. Stop in for maps, current road conditions, and what is happening in town this weekend.

(928) 474-4515[email protected]

Events, ramadas, and vendor packets: Parks & Recreation, 1000 W. Country Club Drive, (928) 472-5110. Town offices: 303 N. Beeline Highway, paysonaz.gov.

Groceries

  • Bashas’

    142 AZ-260 · (928) 474-4495

  • Safeway

    401 AZ-260 · (928) 472-8208

  • Walmart Supercenter

    300 N Beeline Hwy · (928) 474-0029

Medical

  • Banner Payson Medical Center

    807 S Ponderosa St · (928) 471-3222

  • North Country HealthCare

    126 E Main St, Suite B · (928) 468-8610

  • Payson Walk-In Clinic

    615 W Main St · (928) 363-1603

Banks

  • Chase

    201 S Beeline Hwy · (928) 474-2287

  • National Bank of Arizona

    804 S Beeline Hwy · (928) 474-1696

  • Wells Fargo

    115 AZ-260 · (928) 474-4591

  • PNC

    613 S Beeline Hwy · (928) 472-9602

  • Copper State Credit Union

    254 E. Highway 260 · (623) 580-6000

Dogs

  • Pup Town Resort

    Boarding and daycare · (928) 978-1151

    ptrpayson.com

Public safety

  • Payson Police Department

    303 N. Beeline Hwy · Non-emergency (928) 474-5177

    paysonaz.gov/police

  • Payson Fire

    400 W Main St · (928) 474-5242

  • Emergency

    911

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