THE HEART OF ARIZONA
Road) follows the edge of the breathtaking
Mogollon Rim. Beneath the Rim is the Control
Road where you will see evidence of a 24,000
acre fire evolving into one of the best stands of
oak and native grasses in all of Arizona. For fall
colors, you will be directed to areas showcas-
ing crimson oaks, yellow aspens, dusty white
sycamores and riotous grape vines.
RECREATION
Other towns may have woods, lakes
and mountains, but nobody else has the
Mogollon Rim! Technically, it’s known as
an escarpment, as opposed to a canyon.
But, together the Mogollon Rim and the
Grand Canyon constitute Arizona’s two
most awe-inspiring landforms.
Formed 600 million years ago, the
7,500 foot high, 200 mile long “Rim”
was named after Juan Ignacio Flores
Mogollon, governor of New Mexico in
the early 1700s when the area, which
then included Arizona, was under Span-
ish rule.
Perhaps the words of Western novel-
ist Zane Grey, who had a cabin in Ari-
zona Rim Country, come closest to cap-
turing the Rim’s magnificence:
“Lucy looked up, to be stunned
by the towering, overpowering bulk at
the Rim, red and gold, with its black-
fringed crown, bright and beautiful in
the westering sun. She gazed backward,
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Chris Picknally
down over a grand sweep of the forest,
rolling and ridging away to the far-flung
LODGING
date your particular group or defer to your
peaks.” Under the Tonto Rim.
Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Star Valley and
specialized needs.
Because the Rim has been largely
Christopher Creek collectively boast fine mo-
Please refer to the accommodations that
preserved as national forest, it remains
tels, hotels, bed & breakfast retreats and rustic
are listed in the Lodging Guide found on
much as Zane Grey described it. In ad-
lodges with a total of over 600 rooms. Many
pages 28 and 29.
dition to 239 species of birds, including
offer in-room fireplaces, as well as pools and
eagles, hawks, and ravens, it is home
spas. Some accommodations have spas in the
GAMING
to Rocky Mountain elk, both mule and
room, spas in climate-controlled quarters or
You will find the latest in high-tech
whitetail deer, black bear, mountain
spas with snow at the edges and a billion stars
video and reel-to-reel machines at the
lion, bobcat, fox, javalina, and coyote.
overhead.
newly remodeled Mazatzal Hotel and Ca-
Despite the wondrous diversity of
For those guests that enjoy recreation-
sino. Located in the Tonto Apache Reser-
the creatures with whom we share Arizo-
al vehicle living, many parks are scattered
vation, just south of Payson, the Casino
na Rim Country, it is a land big enough
throughout the area. For the more daring,
offers live poker and blackjack, 150 seat
to accommodate recreationalists of all
hundreds of campsites are close to the five
bingo hall and a cozy keno parlor.
persuasions.
communities. “Dry camping” is another op-
The Casino offers more than gambling.
From hikers to families with picnics,
tion that can be enjoyed by simply choosing
Go to the popular Apache Spirits Sports Bar
bird watchers to campers, trout fishing
the best site available in the millions of acres
and the Cedar Ridge Restaurant. The Casi-
experts to kids with bobbers, and hearty
of National Forest.
no offers a number of ‘stay and play’ pack-
backpackers to nature photographers…
Meeting facilities are available for
ages that combine lodging, meals and fun.
They offer a video arcade, free round-trip
Arizona Rim Country has what you are
small groups and large conventions. Food
looking for. Come and be a guest in our
can be prepared on site or catered to your
shuttle service from Payson and Star Val-
backyard – the Heart of Arizona – and
special event. Many fine restaurants in Ari-
ley, as well as hometown hospitality. Stop
partake of what we enjoy each day.
zona Rim Country will gladly accommo-
by the gift shop for authentic treasures.

10
Rim Country Visitor’s Guide
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36