Rim Country Visitor's Guide

OUTDOOR FUN
the private courses at Chaparral Pines, which
is ranked eighth among the state’s hundreds of
outstanding courses, and The Rim Club, which
opened in 1999 and may be rated even higher.
Most visitors ﬁnd time to visit the Tonto
Natural Bridge State Park on Highway 87 be-
tween Payson and Pine/Strawberry. Sculpted
of calcium carbonate deposits by Pine Creek
over a period of one million years, the larg-
est travertine bridge in the world is 183 feet
high with a tunnel width of 150 feet and a
tunnel length of 400 feet. The area had once
been used by the Tonto Apaches as a seasonal
camp. The Bridge only closes on Christmas
day. There is a low admission fee. Call 928-
476-2264 for information.
Arizona Rim Country is an archaeologi-
cal gold mine. Shooﬂy Village archaeological
site is an Indian ruin on Houston Mesa Road
just east of the small horse community of
Mesa del Caballo. It is a partially excavated
87 room site that was occupied between A.D.
1000 and 1250, by people related to the Ho-
hokam and Salado cultures. An additional 50
archaeological sites have been identiﬁed in
Chris Picknally
2,000 acres of national forest around Payson.
Chevelon Lake, is one of the largest but mecca of game in season. Quail, duck, elk,
Whispering Hope Ranch is located three
most difﬁcult to access. Its 200 acres, how- deer, javelina, big horn sheep, turkey, ante-
miles east and two miles south of Christopher
ever, wind through ruggedly beautiful canyon lope, bear and mountain lion hunting are all
Creek. The ranch was established in 1998 to
walls. The biggest ﬁsh on top of the Rim live permitted. For permit regulations, call the
provide a tranquil and compassionate healing
in Chevelon. Arizona Game and Fish Department at (602)
environment for individuals who are physi-
Knoll Lake, at nearly 8,000 feet, covers 75 942-3000 or visit the Payson Ranger Station.
cally, emotionally, mentally or spiritually
acres and features stocked rainbows and browns, Local sporting goods stores and the Chamber
challenged, and to provide a home for a di-
plus a campground. Try ﬁshing from the shore- have maps and information.
verse group of animals who have come from
line that runs from the boat ramp toward the For rock hounds, Arizona Rim Country
difﬁcult circumstances. The ranch is open
island. The cove just beyond is good, too. is a mineralogist’s dream come true. Chert,
daily for guided tours at 11 AM and 1:30 PM.
Willow Springs Lake, has outstanding quartz, and gem-quality geodes are plentiful,
Call ahead for reservations (928) 478-0339.
access, a paved ramp, and a campground and just about any prospector or rock club
4x4 back country excitement can be
nearby. Fish the upper ends of the two long member can put you onto a scatter of hand-
enjoyed by arranging a guided tour. You
coves that form the “Y” in the lake for rain- some red jasper or agate.
get to take pictures, bounce along on si-
bows and brown trout. A round of golf in the crisp, clean moun-
lent trails and gasp at our area’s beauty.
Woods Canyon Lake, dammed in 1956, tain air is also a delight. Options include the
Ask the Chamber for brochures on this and
is one of the most popular recreation areas in Payson Golf Course which is open to public,
other outdoor activities. 
all of Arizona featuring boat rentals, picnic
area, ﬁve campgrounds, and nature trails. The
lake is stocked with catchable trout. The best
MILEAGE FROM PAYSON TO...
ﬁshing is in the spring and fall. Avondale ................105 Holbrook ..................98 Prescott ...................98
Roosevelt Lake, while not a Rim lake,
Bisbee ...................280 Kingman .................234 Roosevelt Lake ..........50
is one of Arizona’s favorite water playgrounds.
Blythe, CA ..............248 Kohl’s Ranch .............17 Sedona .....................85
Buckeye .................123 Las Vegas ...............363 Show Low .................90
Located 35 miles southeast of Payson, it covers
Camp Verde ...............56 Mesa ........................75 Snowﬂake .................85
19,000 surface acres and is 25 miles long and up
Christopher Creek .......22 Mogollon Rim ............32 Springerville ...........135
to two miles wide. The lake is home to large and Cottonwood ..............72 Needles, CA .............298 Star Valley .................4
small mouth bass, crappie, channel and ﬂathead
Flagstaff ...................90 Page ......................227 Strawberry ................18
catﬁsh, and is a playground for water skiing,
Forest Lakes ..............40 Painted Desert .........120 Tempe ......................84
Grand Canyon ..........170 Parker ....................260 Tucson ...................184
sailing, wind surﬁng, jet skiing, and swimming.
Globe .......................82 Pheonix ....................90 Winslow ...................91
Camping facilities abound in the area. Goodyear ................106 Pine ........................15 Woods Canyon Lake .......32
Hunters ﬁnd Arizona Rim Country a
Heber-Overgaard ........54 Pinetop-Lakeside .......95 Yuma .....................277
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Rim Country Visitor’s Guide
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