Payson, AZ Attractions

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Heritage House, built in 1925, is located in Payson. It now houses the Main Street Grille.

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Payson Zoo has a variety of animals, many of which have starred in motion pictures.

The Rim Country Museum consists of several historical buildings and objects of local significance. The entrance was the Forest Ranger's residence originally built in 1907. The complex of the Rim Country Museum also consists of the oldest Forest Ranger Station built in 1907 and then re-built in 1933.

The exhibit hall is a replica of the two story 'Herron Hotel' known as the 'Hilton of Payson'. Exhibits feature the ancient culture that existed around the Mogollon Rim.

Pine is located on Highway 87 near the Tonto National Bridge State Park to the northwest of Payson. The town of Pine was founded by four Mormon families around 1890.

The village of Strawberry is just below the Mogollon Rim, north of Payson, near Pine. Wild strawberries grow near the town, but are hard to find.

Strawberry has Arizona's oldest schoolhouse, built in 1885. The building was built from pine logs, and still stands in the same location, with a wood burning stove in the middle of the room. Originally the ceiling was made of cloth but later replaced by wood.

The Tonto Apache Indian Reservation occupies 85 acres on the south edge of Payson. The tribe is known for its basketry and beadwork.

Tonto Fish Hatchery, just east of Zane Grey's Lodge near Payson, grows various types of trout. The grounds around the hatchery are ideal for wildlife viewing and bird watching.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson has a 400-foot wide natural bridge across a 150-foot wide canyon. The bridge, formed by deposits from a mineral spring, is said to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge was discovered in 1877 by David Gowan, a prospector.

The author around 1920 built Zane Grey's Cabin near Payson. In 1990, the cabin was burned in a fire so concerned citizens worked to build an exact replica of the cabin. Zane Grey worked on many of his 57 novels about the American Southwest while staying at the cabin where he gathered materials and enjoyed hunting.