Payson is one of the best day trips from Phoenix. Only 1-2 hours drive from the valley, it’s the perfect escape from the heat during summer. For those who like to camp, the area has beautiful, scenic campsites for a weekend camping trip.
Summer is the best time to visit Payson’s swimming holes, lakes, and easy hikes in the ponderosa pine forest. I’d recommend visiting in spring or fall for bigger hiking trips.
I’ve included nearby areas in this guide, such as the Mogollon Rim and the towns of Strawberry and Pine.
The best things to do in and around Payson, Arizona:
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Tonto Natural Bridge is the world’s largest travertine bridge, and truly no photo can do it justice. The limestone drips water, and it felt like pouring rain beneath the bridge when I visited.
We hiked a loop, taking Pine Creek Trail to the bridge, through the tunnel, then back up the main trail to the top of the bridge. The wet rock under the bridge was extremely slippery, even in quality hiking shoes. We saw numerous people slip and nearly slide off the cliff into the water.
The main trail down to the bridge is well-maintained and safe for children. For those willing and able, I do think it’s worth taking the adventure beneath the bridge. The Waterfall Trail also looks stunning, but it was closed for maintenance during my visit.
A fee is required at the state park entry station.
Water Wheel
Water Wheel is a recreation site on the East Verde River. Hike along waterfalls and cascades, and find a spot to dip your feet in the river. It’s a popular area for swimming, especially for children, but most of the river here is too shallow for adults to swim.
Water Wheel doesn’t require reservations to visit, but a Tonto pass or America the Beautiful pass must be displayed on your vehicle. Passes are not sold onsite; you’ll need to visit a ranger station in advance.
Bob Bear (Fossil Springs)
Bob Bear trail is an eight mile roundtrip hike to Fossil Springs and the waterfall (technically an old dam) that feeds Fossil Creek.
The final mile of the drive to Bob Bear trailhead is unpaved, but it’s well-maintained. I had no issues driving a sedan.
Late fall and early spring are the best times to visit, when it’s warm enough to swim but not too hot to hike.
I hiked down midday, enjoyed the water during the hottest part of the afternoon, and left a couple hours before sunset. The creek was crowded with swimmers when we arrived, but we had the whole place to ourselves by 5pm. Plus, the trail was shady in the late evening, making the uphill hike far less painful. This hike is tough, especially in the summer heat, so prepare accordingly!
Downstream from the waterfall (dam), there’s a cave you can swim into. The water is cool and refreshing!
Permits are required from April-September to park at Bob Bear trailhead. Permits are are released on the first of the month for the following month (i.e. June permits are released on May 1.)
Bob Bear Permits *Updated June 2026
If the hike is too much, you can visit Fossil Creek (downstream) via Camp Verde. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.
Mogollon Rim
The Mogollon Rim is a plateau that divides Arizona between a desert and a ponderosa pine forest. Payson is near a section of the rim with dramatic cliffs, and it’s just over a half hour drive from town to the top of the rim. At the top, drive along Rim Road to various lookouts, and walk the paved Rim Lakes Visa Trail.
The Mogollon Rim is much cooler than the valley, so it’s the perfect summer escape. There are plenty of lakes hidden in the ponderosa pine forest; Woods Canyon Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, Black Canyon Lake, and Willow Springs Lake are a few favorites in the area.
There are plenty of developed and dispersed campgrounds around the Mogollon Rim, with sites in the woods, near lakes, and along the cliff’s edge (if you’re lucky).
Please pack out your trash and respect the permit/reservation systems.
Latitudes with Lucy 
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