The Best Backpacking in Payson

To get to the trailhead, use the turnoff of highway 87 labeled Barnhardt trail (has a marked sign coming from both Payson and Phoenix). Barnhardt road is just over 4 miles and is unpaved. The road can be driven on by lower clearance cars because the terrain is not too rocky. Once at the trailhead...

Oak Spring Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Pine, Arizona.

This trail begins at the Washington Park Trailhead which meets up with passage #27 of the AZT. You begin traveling northbound as you ascend the great Mogollon Rim. The trail takes you through a gorgeous forest and rewards you with an awesome cliff side view at the summit. 2.25 miles into the tra...

The hike will begin at Washington Park in Payson, Arizona. To reach Washington Park, take AZ87 to Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road) and turn east. Continue for 10 miles until you reach Forest Road 64 and turn west. Traveling less than a mile you will turn north on Forest Road 32 and in 3 miles ...

Cabin Loop: Houston Brothers - U-Bar is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Happy Jack, Arizona.

This is a more scenic and bit more strenuous loop hike to the spring, taking in the Derrick Trail, part of the Highline Trail, and the Horton Creek Trail.After parking the cars near Upper Tonto Creek Campground follow the Derrick Trail and hike gently uphill for 1.4 miles through the rim country ...

People think Arizona is all just desert, but this hike will show you otherwise.  Up on the Mogollon Rim, this trail takes you past old cabins, through lush forest, and near many creeks. Day 1:  (10 miles)  Drive on Rim Road to the General Springs Trail Head.  The cabin marks the start of the tr...

Mazatzal Divide is a point-to-point trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Payson, Arizona.

Hanging Garden OHV Route is an out-and-back trail in the West Creek Wilderness located near Strawberry, Arizona.

The pools at the Verde Hot springs are the remnants from an old resort built in the 1920's.  The resort was a once thriving tourist attraction and also rumored to be one of Al Capone's hideouts.  In the 1960's a fire destroyed the resort only leaving behind the foundation and the thermal pools al...

Verde River Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a hot springs located near Pine, Arizona.

Boulder Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Tonto Basin, Arizona.

Verde Rim Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Camp Verde, Arizona.

Maricopa Trail: Bronco Trailhead to Cave Creek Rangers Station is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Carefree, Arizona.

Arizona Trail from Roosevelt Lake to Pigeon Spring Road is a point-to-point trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Roosevelt, Arizona.

Hot Loop, Schnebley Hill, Munds Mountain and Jack's Can Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Sedona, Arizona.