Payson Travel Tips & Local Stories
Our Journal
Stories from Rim Country
Discover what makes Payson special through guides, local finds, and seasonal highlights.
Jun 13, 2026
Best Things to Do in Payson, Arizona (2026 Guide)
Your 2026 guide to the best things to do in Payson, AZ: elk watching, Mogollon Rim overlooks, Tonto National Forest hikes, lakes, golf, and dark-sky stargazing.
Jun 13, 2026
Golf Getaway Among the Pines
Stay steps from the Payson Golf Course at Eagle's Nest Payson. A pine-forest rental with course views, fire pit, and full kitchen for the perfect golf getaway.
Jun 13, 2026
Weekend Trips from Phoenix: Why Payson Is the Perfect Escape
Just 90 minutes from Phoenix, Payson, AZ offers cooler pine-forest temps, lakes, hiking, golf, and elk. Discover why it's the perfect weekend mountain escape.
Jun 13, 2026
Getting to Payson from Phoenix
Payson is a 90-minute, 85-mile drive from Phoenix via AZ-87 (Beeline Highway). Get directions, drive times, and what to expect for your mountain getaway.
Jun 13, 2026
Best Restaurants in Payson, Arizona
Where to eat in Payson, AZ, from Duza's Kitchen to El Rancho, Crosswinds, and Thai Station. A local's guide to the best restaurants in Rim Country.
Jun 13, 2026
Where to See Elk in Payson, Arizona 🦌
Discover the best places and times to see elk in Payson, AZ, including herds grazing the local golf course, plus tips for safe wildlife viewing.
Jun 13, 2026
Top Kid-Friendly Activities in Payson, AZ: Family Fun in Rim Country
From Tonto Natural Bridge to Green Valley Park, fish hatcheries, and dark-sky stargazing, here are the best kid-friendly things to do in Payson, AZ.
Jun 13, 2026
A Local’s Guide to the Payson Farmers Market
Visit the Payson Farmers Market Saturdays 8AM–12PM at Sawmill Crossing Plaza for local produce, baked goods, honey, crafts, and live music in Rim Country.