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. 

Rim Country Museum Herron Hotel

Rim Country Museum Herron Hotel, Payson

 Basaic Says:  Another building moved to this site and restored was the famous Herron Hotel, one of the earlier fancy hotels in town. Now it houses many of the displays for the museum. 

Rim Country Museum Haught Cabin

Rim Country Museum Haught Cabin, Payson

 Basaic Says:  Another display belonging to the Rim Country Museum is The Haught Cabin which was moved here from Mount Ord. The cabin was built there in 1904 by the Haught Family. The Haughts figure very prominently in the founding and history of Payson. 

Hotels  

Best Western Payson Inn

 1 Review and 110 Opinions  I have never found any better service in any hotel anywhere...really! They did absolutely everything... 

Majestic Mountain Inn

 1 Review and 132 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
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

thechels 65 reviews

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.

Dress Code: Howeverthehell ya wanna! dadgumit!

HAVE FUN!!!

IT'S PAYSON!!!

AND CHYAAAA DON'T MISS THEIR "PENNY" /& 2cent SLOTS ... WOW!!!!

Updated Aug 13, 2007

Phone: 1-800-777-PLAY

Related to:
 Casino and Gambling

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Transportation  

Get and stay near Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Maria250 568 reviews
Payson
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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 campground. And at just two hours from Phoenix and Scottsdale, the park is also perfect for a day trip. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is only open on select weekends, so one has to check the official website or call before visiting there.

ph: 928-476-4202

Updated Aug 2, 2011

Website: http://www.arizonaguide.com/places-to-visit/north-central-arizona/tonto-natural-bridge-state-park

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Road Trip
 National/State Park

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Shopping  

many of them: The Swiss Village
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thechels 65 reviews

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.

Written May 23, 2007

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Local Customs  

Communicate... the natives are friendly
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thechels 65 reviews

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.

Written May 23, 2007

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Warnings and 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... 

What to Pack  

pack for all kinds of weather
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thechels 65 reviews

Luggage and bags: 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.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you are able to walk you may want to not forget good walking/hiking shoes, the opportunities for scenic hikes/walks is wonderful in and around the payson area.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Like I always say... Always carry a role of toilet paper with you.

Written May 23, 2007

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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
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Basaic 6698 reviews
Gowan Trail
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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 mentioned 1. Heart Problems; 2. Back Problems; 3. Leg Problems; and 4. Resperatory Problems. I have 3 of the 4 but I made it down and back up with no ill effects (I did stop once on the way back up). The view of the natural bridge from the bottom of the trail was worth the effort. So were some of the views along the way.

Equipment: Good hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, plenty of water.

Written Dec 5, 2008

Address: P.O. Box 1245, Payson, AZ 85547

Phone: (928) 476-4202

Website: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/index.html

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Eco-Tourism
 Hiking and Walking

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Map of Payson