The Arizona Republic
Sept. 12, 2008 06:24 PM
Payson, 90 scenic miles northeast of the Valley, has plenty of activities for visitors, whether you're interested in learning about local history (and prehistory), exploring the area on foot, sightseeing through the windshield or shopping and dining. Here are some suggestions for those who have one day or several.
The scenic road meanders nearly 45 miles atop the Mogollon Rim between Arizona 87 and Woods Canyon Lake, providing vistas that range from nice to stunning. Along the way, you pass small meadows, thickets of conifers and even a few aspens. There's a good chance of spotting deer, elk and other wildlife.
The drive accesses several trailheads, as well as a number of side roads that lead to fishing lakes.
Pack a picnic lunch and stop just about anyplace to dine in the pines.
FR 300 isn't paved, but it is in generally good shape. It's a bit washboardy in some places and rutted in others, but as long as the weather's good and you drive carefully, you won't need a four-wheel-drive or high-clearance vehicle. (You may feel more confident in one, though.) Details: 928-535-7300.
You can fish, camp or hike at the lakes, or just set up your hammock near the shore and listen to the wind murmur through the pines and the occasional kersploosh of fish jumping in the water.
The Woods Canyon Lake Nature Trail provides a short, shady stroll along the shore. It begins at the Rocky Point Picnic Area, on the southwestern side of the lake, and has signs that identify local vegetation and landmarks. Or you can hike an additional 5 miles around the lake, meandering through tall ponderosa pines.
Woods Canyon Lake covers about 57 acres at an elevation of 7,600 feet. With hundreds of camping spots in the area, ranger tours, boat rentals and trout fishing, the lake is a family favorite. The Arizona Game & Fish Department regularly stocks the lake with rainbow trout.
The lakeside store is open from May through October. Boats are available for rent, or bring your own. (No gas motors allowed.) The campgrounds in the area are also open from May through October, weather permitting. For campground reservations, call 1-877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov.
Rangers regularly give programs on such diverse topics as the habits of area wildlife, Native American history and the Pleasant Valley War. Details: 928-535-7300 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds.
The stables at Kohl's Ranch Lodge offer rides lasting one, two or three hours, or, for those with iron backsides, a half-day. (You don't have to be a guest at the lodge to go on a ride.)
Experienced guides lead the rides while explaining the natural features along the way and filling you in on the area's colorful history. Some rides go to waterfalls, some to mountain springs. You might spot deer, elk, turkey or javelina along the way.
After your ride, enjoy a meal in the rustic Zane Grey Dining Room. Rides cost $30 per person per hour. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Details: 928-478-0030.
Many of Payson's shops, including the Main Street Mercantile (928-468-0526), the Git a Rope! Trading Co. (928-474-0011), Gasoline Alley (928-474-4932), Eagle Mountain Gifts (928-468-0012) and Somewhere in Time Antiques (928-474-1996) are within easy walking distance of each other along Main Street just west of the Beeline Highway.
In Pine, don't miss the Gingerbread House. Wandering through this ramshackle shop is like exploring Grandma's attic. Shelf after shelf is jammed with dolls, dinner plates, teapots and bric-a-brac. After shopping, grab a stool at the soda fountain up front and enjoy a malted or an ice-cream cone. Details: 3936 Arizona 87, Pine. 928-476-3504.
Day 1: Drive the Rim Road
Forest Road 300 may be the best-known, best-loved backcountry drive in Arizona.The scenic road meanders nearly 45 miles atop the Mogollon Rim between Arizona 87 and Woods Canyon Lake, providing vistas that range from nice to stunning. Along the way, you pass small meadows, thickets of conifers and even a few aspens. There's a good chance of spotting deer, elk and other wildlife.
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The drive accesses several trailheads, as well as a number of side roads that lead to fishing lakes.
Pack a picnic lunch and stop just about anyplace to dine in the pines.
FR 300 isn't paved, but it is in generally good shape. It's a bit washboardy in some places and rutted in others, but as long as the weather's good and you drive carefully, you won't need a four-wheel-drive or high-clearance vehicle. (You may feel more confident in one, though.) Details: 928-535-7300.
Day 2: Visit high-country lakes
Woods Canyon Lake and the lesser-known Willow Springs Lake are a couple of high-country jewels nestled in the pine forest west of Forest Lakes and about 30 miles east of Payson.You can fish, camp or hike at the lakes, or just set up your hammock near the shore and listen to the wind murmur through the pines and the occasional kersploosh of fish jumping in the water.
The Woods Canyon Lake Nature Trail provides a short, shady stroll along the shore. It begins at the Rocky Point Picnic Area, on the southwestern side of the lake, and has signs that identify local vegetation and landmarks. Or you can hike an additional 5 miles around the lake, meandering through tall ponderosa pines.
Woods Canyon Lake covers about 57 acres at an elevation of 7,600 feet. With hundreds of camping spots in the area, ranger tours, boat rentals and trout fishing, the lake is a family favorite. The Arizona Game & Fish Department regularly stocks the lake with rainbow trout.
The lakeside store is open from May through October. Boats are available for rent, or bring your own. (No gas motors allowed.) The campgrounds in the area are also open from May through October, weather permitting. For campground reservations, call 1-877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov.
Rangers regularly give programs on such diverse topics as the habits of area wildlife, Native American history and the Pleasant Valley War. Details: 928-535-7300 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds.
Day 3: Ride a horse at Kohl's Ranch
Nothing says "vacation in the Old West" like a horseback ride.The stables at Kohl's Ranch Lodge offer rides lasting one, two or three hours, or, for those with iron backsides, a half-day. (You don't have to be a guest at the lodge to go on a ride.)
Experienced guides lead the rides while explaining the natural features along the way and filling you in on the area's colorful history. Some rides go to waterfalls, some to mountain springs. You might spot deer, elk, turkey or javelina along the way.
After your ride, enjoy a meal in the rustic Zane Grey Dining Room. Rides cost $30 per person per hour. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Details: 928-478-0030.
Day 4: Shopping in Payson and Pine
Visit some of the nearly 20 stores that sell antiques and collectibles in Payson and nearby Pine. Whether you buy anything or not, it's fun to browse antiques shops, where reactions range from, "My grandfather had one of those," to "Mom used these," to "Hey, I played with this as a kid. What's it doing in an antique shop?"Many of Payson's shops, including the Main Street Mercantile (928-468-0526), the Git a Rope! Trading Co. (928-474-0011), Gasoline Alley (928-474-4932), Eagle Mountain Gifts (928-468-0012) and Somewhere in Time Antiques (928-474-1996) are within easy walking distance of each other along Main Street just west of the Beeline Highway.
In Pine, don't miss the Gingerbread House. Wandering through this ramshackle shop is like exploring Grandma's attic. Shelf after shelf is jammed with dolls, dinner plates, teapots and bric-a-brac. After shopping, grab a stool at the soda fountain up front and enjoy a malted or an ice-cream cone. Details: 3936 Arizona 87, Pine. 928-476-3504.
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