Payson, AZ Road Trips

The modern town of Payson was founded in 1882. Payson, unlike much of Arizona, has clear seasonal changes and is very temperate. Warm summers, cold winters, and a monsoon season that generally starts at the beginning of July and lasts until September. Payson has an elevation of 5,000 feet.

1 Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin, 700 S Green Valley Pkwy, Payson (from Beeline Hwy, turn west on Main St, then right on Green Valley Pkwy), ☏ +1 928-474-3483. Th 1PM–4PM, F Sa 10AM–4PM. History of Northern Gila County and the Mogollon Rim. $5 per attraction for adults, discounts available. (updated Mar 2026)

1 Tonto National Forest, 1009 E Hwy 260, Payson (ranger station south of Hwy 260, just east of Mud Springs Rd), ☏ +1 602-225-5200 (supervisor's office), +1 928-474-7900 (Payson field office). The city of Payson is entirely surrounded by the ninth largest national forest in the United States. (updated Mar 2026)

1 Majestic Mountain Inn, 602 Route 260, Payson (on the north side of Route 260, just east of Manzanita Dr), ☏ +1 928-474-0185, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Boutique hotel east of downtown. Starts at $160. (updated Mar 2026) 2 Quality Inn & Suites Payson, 801 N Beeline Hwy, Payson (at the intersection of Route 87/260 and Forest Dr), ☏ +1 928-267-3098. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Centrally located in Payson. Breakfast is included. $75–120. (updated Nov 2025)

1 Payson Municipal Airport (PJB IATA), 806 W Airport Rd, Payson, ☏ +1 928-472-4260. M–F 7AM–4PM, Sa Su 7AM–11AM. General aviation services. (updated Mar 2026) Payson is located at the junction of two state highways, Route 87 and Route 260. State Route 87 connects Payson with Greater Phoenix; it is a 75-mile drive along the Beeline Highway to Payson from Mesa. Route 87 continues north to meet Interstate 40 in Winslow. State Route 260 connects Payson to Show Low and other destinations in Eastern Arizona. To the west, it intersects with Interstate 17 in Camp Verde.

The Beeline Bus offers transportation within Payson, and makes stops in the nearby settlements of Star Valley and Mesa del Caballo. Central Payson is small enough to be traversed by foot. To reach nearby destinations beyond Payson, Star Valley, or Mesa del Caballo, you will need a car.