I’ve done a lot of hikes around Arizona. Payson keeps pulling me back. The pines. The creeks. The big Rim views that make you go quiet for a minute. You know what? It feels like a quick reset that still makes your legs work. Earlier this season I logged big desert miles in the craggy Superstition Mountains, but the cool pines up here are a whole different flavor.
I drive up from Phoenix, toss my pack in the trunk, and hit the road. It’s not far. The air cools. The trees get taller. My shoulders drop. That’s the vibe.
First Impressions (and a little truth)
Payson trails give shade and water, which is rare here. But they also bring crowds on weekends. Parking fills fast. The rocks get slick by the water. My feet learned that the hard way. Still, I keep going, because the creek sounds and the pine smell just stick with me.
Let me explain with the hikes I actually did.
If you want an even deeper menu of Rim Country treks, the trail rundowns on Arizona Hiking Trails break down mileage, water access, and difficulty in one quick scan. For the story behind my own dust-caked loop through many of these same routes, check out my extended field notes on Payson, Arizona hiking trails.
Horton Creek Trail — the one I think about mid-week
I started at the Horton Creek Trailhead near Kohl’s Ranch. It’s an out-and-back along a roaring creek. (For the official scoop, conditions, and any seasonal alerts, the Tonto National Forest maintains an official Horton Creek Trail page that’s worth a quick look before you drive up.) I hit the dirt at 7 a.m., crisp air, light jacket. The trail is soft with needles and roots. My Salomon trail shoes gripped fine. I heard water the whole time, like a low song.
About four miles in, the spring pours straight from the hillside. Cold and clear. I sat on a flat rock, dipped my feet, and ate half a peanut butter sandwich. A trout flashed in a pool. I forgot to check the time. That felt good.
- What I loved: steady shade, water every few minutes, easy rhythm
- What bugged me: more people after 9 a.m.; a few muddy spots made me slide
Water Wheel Falls — fun, but watch your footing
This one starts at the Water Wheel Day Use Area. I grabbed a Tonto Pass on the way, because rangers do check there. The hike is short, but it’s a hop-and-scramble along the East Verde River. I wore Chacos and, honestly, should’ve kept on real trail shoes. Algae on the rocks is like butter. I watched a guy go down hard. He was okay, but yeah—go slow. Anyone who likes the idea of roving from pool to pool might dig my statewide scouting report on other splash-worthy routes, where I literally chased waterfalls all over Arizona.
The pools are deep and cold. I dunked quick. Brain freeze level cold. The roar of the falls washes out chatter, which I liked, since it can get busy.
- What I loved: swimming holes, big granite, rush of water
- What bugged me: weekend crowds, loud music, and some trash near the falls
Highline Trail (Pine Trailhead to Geronimo) — tougher, worth it
I took a chunk of the Highline, starting in Pine. It’s rocky, with short punchy climbs and wide views of the Mogollon Rim. (If you want a broader rundown of routes skirting that escarpment, the Town of Payson posts a concise Mogollon Rim trail guide that helps map distances, trailheads, and seasonal notes.) I used Black Diamond poles, and I was glad. My Garmin buzzed every mile, and I ignored it by mile three because the views kept stealing my brain. Way off on the southern skyline I could make out the shark-fin ridge of Four Peaks, a range I wrote about after a windy summit push—details live in my Four Peaks hiking story.
I saw elk prints in dusty patches and a horned lizard sunning on a warm rock. Wind carried the smell of sap and dust. I’m not saying it felt easy. It didn’t. But the mood? Calm.
- What I loved: less traffic, big quiet views, honest workout
- What bugged me: loose rock and a couple of eroded edges that made me pause
See Canyon to See Spring — short, cool, calm
I did this in October. The leaves by the creek turned gold, and the air had a bite. It’s a gentle climb up a green corridor with a sweet payoff at the spring. The water bubbles up like a secret. I filled my Sawyer filter and sipped. Cold enough to make my teeth sing.
- What I loved: fall color, soft trail, easy water refill
- What bugged me: trail gets narrow in parts; passing with dogs was a shuffle
A fast one along the Rim — breezy and bold
On another trip, I parked near Rim Lakes Vista off Forest Road 300 and strolled the edge. It’s more like a walk than a hike, but the drop is huge and the wind can slap your hat clean off. Storm clouds stacked way out on the horizon. I could see forever, or close enough.
Gear I actually used
- AllTrails offline maps on my phone (signal drops a lot)
- Salomon trail shoes for grip; Chacos only for short water stuff
- Hydro Flask 32 oz plus a soft bottle
- Black Diamond poles for the rockier miles
- Sawyer Mini water filter at springs and creeks
- Sunscreen, a cheap bug net in spring, and a small towel
Post-hike, when the packs are dumped and the shoulders are screaming, I sometimes daydream about a solid massage to unkink everything. Travelers who find themselves limping through the Mid-Atlantic after an Arizona trip can scope the in-depth Rubmaps Germantown guide for a lineup of local parlors, user reviews, and tips on snagging the kind of deep-tissue session that resets tight trail muscles for the next adventure.
Tiny note: I packed socks. I thought. Found one. Hiked anyway. My heel did not thank me.
Little headaches I ran into
- Fees: Some sites need a Tonto Pass. Keep it visible.
- Crowds: Weekends pack out. Cars line the road by 10 a.m.
- Slippery rocks: Any green or dark rock by the creek is a no-joke slip zone.
- Monsoon season: Flash floods happen fast. If clouds build, I head out.
- Winter ice: The Rim trail edges can ice over. I’ve used microspikes a few times.
- Dogs: I love them, but please leash near water and passes. Less chaos, fewer scares.
Food after the hike (because yes)
I’ve hit Macky’s Grill in town for a burger and sweet tea. The fries taste extra good after creek miles. For coffee, I’ve grabbed a latte at Common Grounds. In Pine, Old County Inn has wood-fired pizza that disappear fast if you set it near me.
If you cap a long day on the trail and wish you had adventure-minded company for that burger or an upcoming trek, browsing the outdoor-friendly listings on JustBang’s adult personals classifieds can match you with locals who share your love of fresh air and spontaneous road trips. Filter by interests, swap trail stories, and line up a meetup so your next Payson outing doesn’t have to be a solo mission.
Who will like Payson trails?
- Families who want shade and a creek
- Trail runners who like rolling terrain
- Photographers chasing Rim light and fall leaves
- Dog folks who keep it tidy and leashed where needed
- Anyone who needs quiet, but not a suffer-fest
Quick tips from my pack brain
- Start early. Cooler, calmer, kinder.
- Check fire rules and weather. I do a fast scan before I go.
- Bring more water than you think you need.
- Pack a towel and sandals for creek days.
- Leave no trace. If you can carry it in, you can carry it out.
- Tell someone your plan. My phone has gone dead up there.
My final take
Payson feels like a deep breath you can take on a short drive. Horton Creek owns my heart on weekday mornings. Highline wakes my legs up. Water Wheel is fun when I pick a quiet hour and watch my step.
Will I go back? Already planning it. I want the pine shade, the cold water, and that moment near the Rim where the world goes still. Honestly, that’s why I hike here.