Traveling the Mogollon Rim in Arizona

Are you in Phoenix and looking for a cooler place to see all of the natural beauty in Arizona? Head north of Fountain Hills on State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, and take a road trip to Rim Country where you can see stunning views and spend time in tall pine forests. The inspiration of early 20^th century Western author Zane Grey, and the site of the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona, the Mogollon Rim area offers stunning views of ponderosa pine from overlooks as high as 2000 feet. Running along highway 260 from Sedona to Payson to Pinetop-Lakeside and eventually to the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico, some of our favorite areas in Rim Country are just a short drive from the Phoenix area.

The Mogollon Rim is a fantastic location for hiking, sightseeing, and horseback riding, as well as a great getaway for boating and fishing, camping, hunting, and backcountry skiing in the winter. Tiny towns settled along the Rim offer a fascinating slice of Arizona history with museums, ruins, natural wonders, and points of interest all along the route. Certain areas off the main road are very rugged, and often steep, so prepare to take a high-clearance vehicle if you want to venture farther off the beaten path.

Here are our favorite spots to stop when we head north to Rim Country:

Payson

As you head for Payson and the Mogollon Rim on the Beeline Highway, you pass through some of the most gorgeous pristine desert and mountain vistas in Arizona. At an elevation of about 5000 feet, the town of Payson offers a mild, four season climate in the tall pines. This small town of about 15,000 was founded in 1882 and is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest and the Tonto Apache Indian Reservation. Payson is an excellent location for year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, camping, rock hounding, and horseback riding. The town’s centrally located Green Valley Park has three stocked fishing lakes and free outdoor concerts in the summer. The Gateway to Rim Country, Payson is steeped in Arizona history and hosts the world’s oldest continuous rodeo.

Be sure to stop and see Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, a small state park that is home to the giant wonder of the only known travertine natural bridge in North America. Steep paths will lead you down trails, stairs, and bridges to a stream fed by natural springs that flows directly through the the bridge below. It’s a great spot for picnics, short hikes, and wildlife watching, with an historic lodge and visitors center. 

Pine

Heading northwest out of Payson on highway 260, you’ll arrive at the tiny community of Pine. With a population of around 2000, Pine is the gateway to the Tonto Natural Bridge, nestled in the valley of Pine Creek which flows under the bridge to the East Verde River. Originally settled by a group of four Mormon families, Pine is full of fascinating history and boasts some great attractions such as the post office established in 1884 and the Pine-Strawberry Museum. Pine is a great destination for hiking, camping, and fishing, with Bear Canyon Lake and Knoll Lake nearby. There are also several good restaurants, charming local shops and antique stores, and a gas station to fill up before you head down the road. One of our favorite stops is the Pine Creek Canyon Lavendar Farm, a working farm nestled in the mountainous terrain of the Mogollon Rim as you travel through Pine.

This is the last gas stop before Camp Verde if you’re heading west on 260, so make sure your tank is full (no, there isn’t a gas station in Strawberry).

Strawberry

Strawberry, Arizona, is a beautiful and picturesque spot to stop and rest as you travel along the Mogollon Rim. This tiny unincorporated town has a population of around 1000, but it has natural charm in abundance. Always one of our favorite places to stop for a big breakfast after a hike through the woods or an early morning visit to the Tonto Natural Bridge, Strawberry is a great place for hiking, camping, cabins, and Arizona territorial days history. One must see site in town is the Strawberry Schoolhouse, the oldest Schoolhouse still standing in the state of Arizona. The Strawberry Schoolhouse is open to visitors during summer and fall and was formally dedicated as an Historical Monument on August 15, 1981.

Heading West Towards Higher Elevations

There are many tiny towns along the Mogollon Rim as you climb through the tall pines towards higher elevations.  Here are some of the larger towns that are fun to visit along the way, as you move West toward Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside.

Star Valley

Christopher Creek

Heber-Overgaard

Show Low

Pinetop-Lakeside

The mild climate and seasonal changes along the higher elevations of the Mogollon Rim make it a great destination to visit all year round. The tall pines and breathtaking views are worth the trip north for either a day trip or a weekend stay. Take some time to check out local favorites, and be sure to check Ladybug’s Blog for more ideas for great places to getaway and visit in Arizona!

– mambug

This article was published in the May 2020 issue of the Deer Valley Times, North Tatum Times, North 32nd News, the Scottsdale Standard, the Scottsdale North News, and the Upper Westsider.