Payson & "The Rim Country"
Friendly and quaint, full of culture and history, Payson rests nestled
beneath the thousand-foot cliffs of the Mogollon Rim; 90-minutes on a spectacularly scenic route from Phoenix.
The town has adopted many popular titles -- "The Freshest Air in the World," "Gateway to the Rim Country,"
"The Festival Capitol of Arizona," and host to the "Oldest Continuous Rodeo in the World," but probably
its most enticing quality remains the climate:
The Climate
Delicate frostings
of snow last long enough to lend a magical feel, then melt into myriad rivulets and creeks. Mild winter temperatures will
fall as low as the 20's at night in January, but generally warm to the 50's by afternoon.
Mild summer temperatures may get as high as the 90's in July, but cool to an invigorating mid- 50's
at night. Tall Ponderosa pines give the Tonto National Forest hiker, horseback-rider and biker frequent respite
from heat.
Springtimes burst with a fiery array of Indian paintbrush, primrose, and the golds and
fuschias of cactus blossoms and other brightly colored wildflowers.
Autumn's yellows, reds and oranges are
interspersed with the deep greens of the Ponderosa and Juniper pines. No season in Payson is an "indoor" season.
Cowboys & "Indians"
Native
American cultures, the Cowboy's song, and modern art all find their home within Payson. Native American communities,
ancient ruins and modern Native American art offer numerous opportunities to learn about this culture and their
history.
The town's cowboy heritage is celebrated at Zane Grey Cabin, at museums and simply
through the many encounters you will experience with modern cowboys in Payson. Horses, ranches and cowboy hats are part
of the landscape.
Over two dozen art galleries, antique shops and hand-made jewelry stores reveal this area's unique
mix of the old and the new, Cowboy and "Indian."
Payson supports a regional hospital, community
college, public library, airport, golf course, parks and many fine and casual dining establishments. Of
course, the fudge factory, or one of Arizona's oldest saloons should not be overlooked.
Festivals abound.
An Old Timers Fiddling competition, Concert under the Stars series, art walk, strawberry festival, rodeos, and
more fill out the year's schedule.
The "Rim Country"
It
would be negligent in any "Ode to Payson" not to mention its backdrop and intimate neighbor, the Arizona "Rim
Country."
Lakes, creeks, swimming holes, waterfalls, fisheries, hiking and biking trails, National Parks and
natural wonders blanket the region.
It would be a long and satisfying lifetime spent in pursuit of all the adventures
to be explored.
Boulder Creek, Payson and the "Rim Country" beckon you to come and play and stay.
See it all for yourself.
