RIM COUNTRY OUTDOORS
Discover 62+ hiking trails beneath the Mogollon Rim -- from easy family walks through ponderosa pines to challenging canyon descents -- plus the campgrounds where you can stay the night. Maps, photos, and reviews for every trail.
EXPLORE THE TRAILS
Filter by difficulty and find the perfect trail for your next adventure under the pines.
IN-TOWN TRAILS
An interconnecting trail network utilizing detached pathways, existing sidewalks, and bike lanes to connect interior town routes with Forest Service trails on the periphery.
4.4-mile paved pathway from Phoenix Street to Sonic, connecting neighborhoods across Payson. Perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling.
View on PATS MapBoulders Loop offers 2.4 miles of scenic views, connecting to the 2-mile Cypress Trail off Granite Dells Road. Great for a moderate morning hike.
View on PATS Map3.7-mile trail from the Event Center to Peach Orchard Trailhead. A challenging connector route through varied terrain.
View on PATS MapContact Payson Parks, Recreation and Tourism Office at (928) 472-5110 for PATS trail maps and information.
View Full PATS Trail MapDISCOVER MORE
From easy family walks to challenging canyon descents, AllTrails lists over 62 scenic trails in the Payson area with maps, reviews, and photos from fellow hikers.
10 top trail running routes through pine forests and canyon terrain.
Browse Running Trails →10 trails with the most spectacular views of the Mogollon Rim and Tonto Basin.
Browse Scenic Trails →STAY THE NIGHT
From full-service Forest Service campgrounds beside the creeks to free dispersed sites along the Rim, Rim Country is one of Arizona's best places to sleep under the pines. Filter by the kind of camping you're after.
BEFORE YOU GO
Developed campgrounds are reserved through Recreation.gov, and a Tonto Pass is required to park or camp in many day-use and dispersed areas across the Tonto National Forest. Planning to drop a line? Everyone 10 and older needs a valid Arizona fishing license, available online in minutes from Arizona Game & Fish.
Campground seasons, fees, and reservation windows change year to year, and fire restrictions can close sites with little notice — always confirm current details with the Tonto National Forest before you go.
CAST A LINE
Cool mountain lakes and creek-fed trout waters sit within a short drive of Payson — many of them stocked through the spring and summer. Grab your Arizona fishing license, pick a spot, and head out.
Licenses are required for anglers 10 and older. Check the AZGFD stocking schedule to see what's biting this week.
Three connected lakes right in the heart of Payson, stocked with rainbow trout in the cooler months and catfish in summer. Paved paths, picnic ramadas, and easy shoreline access make it the most family-friendly spot in Rim Country.
One of Arizona's most popular trout lakes, sitting at 7,500 feet on top of the Mogollon Rim where summers stay cool. Heavily stocked with rainbow trout, with a boat ramp, lakeside store, and an easy shoreline loop.
A larger, quieter Rim-top lake just east of Woods Canyon off Highway 260, known for rainbow trout and a healthy population of tiger trout. A boat ramp and gentle shoreline make it a favorite for both bank and small-boat anglers.
A classic Rim Country trout stream below the Mogollon Rim, stocked near the Tonto Creek Hatchery off Highway 260. Tour the hatchery, then fish the shaded pools where the creek runs past the campground and Horton Creek trailhead.
A spring-fed creek running through the small community of the same name off Highway 260, regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Pull-offs and the adjacent campground give easy access to the pools and riffles.
Arizona's largest lake within the state, a roughly hour-long drive south of Payson on Highway 188. A warm-water fishery prized for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish, with multiple marinas and boat ramps.
Stocking schedules and regulations change throughout the season — always confirm current rules, limits, and conditions with Arizona Game & Fish before heading out.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Sitting at nearly 5,000 feet beneath the Mogollon Rim, Rim Country offers four real seasons. Knowing what each one brings helps you pick the right trail — and stay safe doing it.
Wildflowers and snowmelt-fed creeks. Mild days and cool nights make this prime time for canyon hikes like Horton Creek and Water Wheel before the summer heat arrives.
The Rim stays cooler than the desert below, but afternoons get hot and the July–September monsoon brings sudden lightning and flash floods. Start at dawn and be off exposed trails by noon.
The locals' favorite season. Crisp air, golden cottonwoods and oaks along the creeks, and stable weather make it ideal for the Highline Trail and longer canyon descents.
Snow and ice are common on the Rim and at higher trailheads along FR 300 — carry microspikes and check for road closures. Lower trails around Payson usually stay clear and quiet.
BEFORE YOU GO
Several of Rim Country's most popular trailheads require a pass, permit, or day-use fee. Here's what to sort out before you hit the trail.
Required at many Tonto National Forest day-use sites, including the Horton Creek Trailhead. Buy online ahead of time or pick one up at the Payson Ranger District office.
Get a Tonto PassA timed-entry permit is required at the Bob Bear (Fossil Springs) Trailhead from April through October. Permits release in advance and sell out quickly, so plan early.
Reserve a PermitA per-vehicle parking fee applies at the Water Wheel / Ellison Creek day-use area off Highway 87 North — the trailhead for the Water Wheel Falls hike.
Pay the Day-Use FeeYou do not need a special permit to visit Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, but you must pay a daily park entrance fee. You can purchase this standard admission fee directly at the park entrance gate — no advanced reservations needed.
The "America the Beautiful" federal annual pass covers standard day-use fees across Tonto National Forest and other federal public lands — usually worth it if you hike here often.
About the PassFor current fire restrictions, road and trail closures, and permit questions, the Tonto National Forest's Payson Ranger District is your best first call before any trip.
Payson Ranger DistrictFees, permit windows, and closures change seasonally — always confirm the current details with the managing agency before you go.
TODAY'S GROUND TRUTH
Real conditions reported by hikers out on the trail — washed-out tread, downed trees, full parking lots, snow and ice, flooded crossings. Paired with our live river and weather data, this is the most current picture of Rim Country you'll find anywhere. See something? Report it and help the next hiker.
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Not sure which trail to hit? Mary knows every trail in Rim Country and can recommend hikes based on your skill level, how much time you have, and what you want to see.
STAY SAFE OUT THERE
Rim Country's high-desert terrain demands preparation. Keep these essentials in mind before heading out. For complete safety information, visit our Wildlife & Outdoor Safety Guide.
Carry at least one liter of water per hour of hiking. Arizona's dry air and altitude cause faster dehydration than you may expect. Start hydrating the day before your hike.
Mountain weather changes fast. Summer monsoons bring lightning and flash floods -- often with little warning. Check forecasts and start hikes early in the day.
Rim Country is a fire-prone region. Check current fire restrictions before you go. Never leave campfires unattended, and obey all trail and forest closures during fire season.
Black bears, elk, javelina, and rattlesnakes are common. Keep a safe distance, store food properly, watch where you step, and make noise on the trail to avoid surprise encounters.