Payson Travel Guide

  Jumpingtwins at oldest standing school...
by jumpingnorman
 
  • Jumpingtwins at oldest standing school in Arizona
      Jumpingtwins at oldest standing school...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Jumpingdaughter, Tonto Natural Bridge, Arizona
      Jumpingdaughter, Tonto Natural Bridge,...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson, Arizona
      Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson,...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson, Arizona
      Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson,...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson, Arizona
      Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson,...
    by jumpingnorman
 

Explore Payson

Things to Do  

Among pines

Among pines, Payson

 Maria250 Says:  View the magnificent beauty of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park with historic structures, trails, viewpoints, and with picnic tables, grills, giftshop, and even portable restrooms. 

Tonto Natural Bridge - world's largest travertine

Tonto Natural Bridge - world's largest travertine, Payson

 jumpingnorman Says:  Yes, the world's largest travertine bridge can be found just 12 miles north of Payson off Hwy 87. It's an amazing place for hiking trails which are known to be steep and strenuous. There is the hour-long 0.5 mile Pine Trail, the 300 feet Waterfall Trail, the 220 feet Gowan... 

Strawbery Schoolhouse - oldest in Arizona

Strawbery Schoolhouse - oldest in Arizona, Payson

 jumpingnorman Says:  We were in Payson and nearby is the oldest standing schoolhouse which I found using my GPS - it is located on Fossil Creek Road in Strawberry, Arizona and is open to the public from May through September on weekends and holidays. We were greeted by a very nice lady whose... 

Meet the Locals

Meet the Locals, Payson

 Basaic Says:  One of my favorite things to do whenever I travel is to meet some of the locals. This is Bing Brown the very knowledgeable docent at Zane Gray's Cabin in Payson. 

See Historic Main Street

See Historic Main Street, Payson

 Basaic Says:  After you stop at the Chamber of Commerce for help with your trip (it's at one end of main street) take the time to drive down Historic Main Street. If the Ox Bow Inn is open, stop there. Historic Main Street ends at Green Valley Park. 

Rim Country Museum Zane Grey Cabin

Rim Country Museum Zane Grey Cabin, Payson

 Basaic Says:  For many years, Zane Grey called Payson home. He built a cabin in the shadows of the Mogollon Rim, which burned down in the infamous Rodeo-Chedeski Fire. Through the efforts of the town of Payson, William Goettl and Grey's legions of fans, the cabin has been rebuilt here on... 

Rim Country Museum Ranger Station

Rim Country Museum Ranger Station, Payson

 Basaic Says:  In 1907 the first Ranger Station in this area was built on this site. The Ranger Station and the home that was added in 1933 have been painstakingly rebuilt on the museum grounds. 

Hotels  

Best Western Payson Inn

 70 Opinions

Majestic Mountain Inn

 1 Review and 83 Opinions  another one night stop on or road trip. We hadn't prebooked and arrived late so were lucky there... 

Restaurants  

Bee Line Cafe: Nice Smalltown Cafe

Bee Line Cafe: Nice Smalltown Cafe, Payson

 Basaic Says:  The Bee Line Cafe has been an institution in Payson for years. It started out as an ice cream parlor and eventually became a full cafe. The menu mostly leans towards sandwiches and soups but there are bigger meals available. The staff was very friendly. (I will expand this... 

Mandarin House: Good Chinese Buffet

Mandarin House: Good Chinese Buffet, Payson

 Basaic Says:  The Mandarin House Restaurant is located right next to the Motel 6 where I was staying so I thought it would be a good choice for dinner after a long day of driving, hiking and touring. The building is not very impressive from the outside. Inside the decor was about what you... 

Nightlife  

MATZAZAL HOTEL & CASINO: MADASHELL

MATZAZAL HOTEL & CASINO: MADASHELL, Payson

 thechels Says:  I LOVE IT!... I HAD SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN FOR MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IT MAKES ME WANT TO BECOME A FOOTBALL FANATIC!!! WOOHOOO!! ... GO... ..UM.......football?Aside from that now.... they have a hotel so you can really stay and play. Howeverthehell ya wanna! dadgumit! HAVE... 

Transportation  

Get and stay near Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Get and stay near Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson

 Maria250 Says:  Located in North-Central Arizona, there are plenty of places to stay near Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. For hotels, Payson offers plenty of options. Visitors can also find lodges and cabins for renting nearby, as well as plenty of campsites at state parks and other... 

Shopping  

Western Village: Anything Western

Western Village: Anything Western, Payson

 Basaic Says:  If you are looking for anything Western to include books by Zane Grey, stop at the Western Village. 

many of them: The Swiss Village

many of them: The Swiss Village, Payson

 thechels Says:  There is a quaint little swiss village in payson that is a must for shoppers and Fudge seekers... Get this... they have sugar free fudge available, too!!!! yummy buy 1 pound get 1/4 pound free... free tastings. 

Local Customs  

Communicate... the natives are friendly

Communicate... the natives are friendly, Payson

 thechels Says:  If your lost ... ASK!!! The people are helpful and friendly. Go ahead and strike up that strange conversation with someone you'll probably never see again, while standing in line at wal-mart. It's OKAY!!!Really, the natives are friendly. 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Payment Options

Payment Options, Payson

 kop-queen Says:  Don't expect to be able to use travellers cheques when you fill up with gas! We stopped at a major gas station outside a mall but the staff had to ring the boss to ask about them and then said no! Oddly enough this wasn't the only place in Arizona where we encountered the... 

Green Valley Park Warnings

Green Valley Park Warnings, Payson

 Basaic Says:  The lakes are filled with treated waste water so do not swim in them. 

What to Pack  

pack for all kinds of weather

pack for all kinds of weather, Payson

 thechels Says:  The weather can vary sometimes 30+ degrees between night and day. Anywhere from 9 degrees F. in the winter low to 30 degrees F. in the winter high. Anywhere from 40 degrees F. summer low to 80 degrees F. summer high. etc. just be prepared for chilly or warm. If you are able... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Riding along Arizona's horizon

Riding along Arizona's horizon, Payson

 Maria250 Says:  The colors are everything you can hope for..I'll be your sun coming upI'll be your dog daysI'll be your new morning..I'll be the bluebird singing..And when the stars are bright like firefliesAnd the night is black as coal..I'm gonna make you mine..On another side of... 

One of only (3) pure air ozone belts in the world!

One of only (3) pure air ozone belts in the world!, Payson

 thechels Says:  "Payson Arizona is located at the "heart" of Arizona and a pleasant 90-minute drive from the Phoenix metropolitan area, is renowned for its beauty, recreational opportunities and, more recently, its dynamic business environment.At an elevation of 5,000 feet, the area enjoys... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Gowan Trail at Tonto Natural Bridge SP

Gowan Trail at Tonto Natural Bridge SP, Payson

 Basaic Says:  Gowan Trail is a 2200 foot trail down to the natural bridge (and back up). It is very steep and rocky and has several steps. There is a warning sign at the trailhead that says if you have medical problems then reconsider taking the trail. Another warning sign specifically... 

 
Explore Deeper into Payson

The Place

Plan a Payson vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Payson locals

Experience Payson
  •   62 Tips and Reviews
  •  144 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Payson
 

The People

12 Members Live Here
 
Advice from the Locals
 profile photo

 We love Rim Country - We have lived in the Payson area for about 12 years and we invite anyone interested to come visit! You can be in tall pines in an hour and a half from Phoenix! 

12 members live in Payson

 

Questions and Answers

672132012dmscaav profile photo

Q:  I WUD LIKE TO KNOW IF PAYSON OFFERS PRIVATE PLANE TOURS OR NON-PRIVATE TOURS OVER PAYSON N SURROUNDING AREA FOR TOURISTS? 

MikePinTucson profile photo

A: Why don't you try contacting the Payson airport? I'm sure they can hook you up with someone who would be willing to give you an air... 

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Top Payson Writers

1

Basaic Payson Page

Basaic profile photo

 One of the attractions near the town of Payson is the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Tonto Natural Bridge is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183... 

2

Payson, Arizona

basstbn profile photo

 Did you ever wonder where residents of Phoenix go to escape the scorching summer weekends? I hope I'm not inviting their wrath by telling you one of them - Payson, Arizona and its environs. It's less... 

3

Payson

Maria250 profile photo

 Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is located about 10 miles north of Payson. The area is an area of mossy rocks, high cliffs, caves, waterfalls, and once entered at the "Contact Station" at the Park... 

4

Love The Weather of Payson

thechels profile photo

 I can vouch for the Matzazal casino... so far... I've had a GREAT TIME IN PAYSON!!! so far....that is ... woohooo!!! ... It is a QUIET SLEEPY SORT OF TOWN. ... you can catch a shuttle here from sky...... 

5

Jumping Around Payson!

jumpingnorman profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Payson. I'd love to share with you the 2 tips I've written, the 10 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

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