About Rim Country....

A Home for Adventure -                      Chaparral Pines is part of a grander landscape that has a storied past - literally. It was the awe-inspiring beauty of the Rim that was the muse for famed Western novelist Zane Grey, who made his home here nearly 100 years ago. Today you'll find there is more to explore in Payson and its surrounding area than natural treasures. With its rich history, a full slate of fun community events, and moderate temperatures year-round, the Mogollon Rim offers many different things to see and do for a few hours or the whole day.

 THE GREAT OUTDOORS - With 3 million acres of Tonto National Forest surrounding Payson, it's easy to pursue outdoor passions like hiking, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, and so much more.

 Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery - A great place to escape searing desert summer heat. The hatchery and surrounding wetland area provide outstanding opportunities for learning adventures and family outings such as picnics, hiking, and watching wildlife.

 Mogollon Rim lakes - Along historic Rim Road (Forest Road 300) are a number of small trout lakes built by the Arizona Game and Fish Department more than 25 years ago. Access is easy, even for low-slung modern cars. Back roads, most of them converted logging roads, are rougher, and should be traveled by truck. Limited food supplies and boat rentals are available only at Woods Canyon Lake. The lakes include:

• Knoll Lake                                                      

• Bear Canyon Lake

• Woods Canyon Lake                                       

• Willow Springs Lake

• Black Canyon Lake

• Chevelon Canyon Lake

 Fossil Springs Wilderness Area - This 11,550-acre wilderness boasts what has been described as the most diverse riparian area in Arizona. Over 30 species of trees and shrubs and more than 100 species of birds have been observed in this unique habitat. Come to sunbathe, wade, hike, and bird watch! It's also a great place to take photographs.

THE STORIED PAST - The spirit of the Mogollon Rim's earliest residents still lives on here. From the native peoples who inhabited the area in prehistoric times, to the frontiersmen who followed, you'll find culture throughout the region.

 Shoofly Indian Archaeological Site - A self-guided tour through this ancient village site shows you how the native people lived between AD 1000 and 1250. This site once held more than 80 rooms built of wood, stone, and adobe by peoples related to the Hohokam and Salado cultures.

 Rim Country Museum - This complex consists of the oldest forest ranger station and residence still standing in the Southwest. Both structures were originally built-in 1907 and then rebuilt on their original foundations circa 1933. The exhibit hall is a replica of the two story, 1900s-era Herron Hotel known as the "Hilton of Payson." A replica of Zane  Grey's cabin is also on the grounds, as is the top of a Forest Service watchtower that originally stood on Mt. Ord.

 The Museum of the Forest - Learn more about Payson's history and what life was like as a forest ranger in the early years. The museum features exhibits, artifacts, and displays that illustrate the relationship between the forest and the early settlers who inhabited Payson. Located within the original Tonto National Forest Ranger Station, built in 1908, it houses a bookstore, archeological information, and an oral history library.

THE MEMORABLE EVENTS

Payson plays host to a variety of charming diversions including antiquing, fine art events, farmers' and crafts markets, gem and mineral shows, fireworks displays, fiddler jams, seasonal festivals, rodeos, and concerts under the stars.

 Rodeo time - Payson held its first rodeo in 1884, with "Arizona" Charlie Meadows being one of the founders. The "World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo," which takes place in August has been held every year since and is considered the nation's "Best Small Rodeo" by the Professional Cowboy Association. Also, in May, cowboys and cowgirls from all over the Southwest gather in Payson for the Gary Hardt Memorial Spring PRCA Rodeo, originally called the "Old Timer's Rodeo" when it started in 1987. June Bug Blues Festival - With the majestic Mogollon Rim as a backdrop, the June Bug Blues Festival gets rockin' every summer in Payson with both local and national acts. A tradition in the Southwest it provides. good-time music, great food, cold drinks, arts and crafts, and much more for music lovers of all ages.

 State Championship Fiddlers Contest - Fiddlers from all over the country come to play at this annual contest in September. Experience trick fiddling, fancy fiddling, twin fiddling, and cross-tuned fiddling at its finest. Mazatzal Casino - Just outside of Payson, Mazatzal Casino offers 322 slot machines, blackjack tables, players club, video poker, live keno, a poker room, bingo, and an arcade. There are also numerous live entertainment events throughout the year, from music and dance to comedy and sports.

 THE WONDERS NEARBY

A short drive from Payson, you can discover natural wonders unique to Arizona and eclectic shopping opportunities you won't find in any big city. And these destinations are so close, you'll be home in time for dinner.

 Tonto Natural Bridge State Park - Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by a forest of pine trees, Tonto Natural Bridge has been in the making for thousands of years. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. Visitors can stand on top of the bridge or hike down below to capture the true size and beauty of this geologic wonder.

 Pine-Strawberry - The pine-clad country around Pine and Strawberry, about 20 miles north of Payson, offers many recreational opportunities. However, the most appealing aspect of these neighboring towns is the community activities such as a walking tour of historic buildings, a chili cook-off, an old-fashioned ice cream social, a community picnic, and arts and crafts festivals.

 Christopher Creek - This picturesque mountain village east of Payson is nestled on the banks of spring-fed Christopher Creek, just beneath the majestic Mogollon Rim. The area hooks avid anglers who can always be found knee-deep in rushing streams beneath canopies of oak and sycamore, or casting their lines into one of the seven Rim lakes on top of the Mogollon Rim. Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians enjoy the Highline Trail which winds through the foothills, with offshoots that ascend through the pines to the top of the Rim. Getting in and out of Payson is easy, with the Payson Municipal Airport available for private pilots and charter flights. And, of course, numerous commercial flights are available at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a scenic, 60-minute drive from Payson.