Payson, AZ

Payson is a town in northern Gila County, surrounded by the Tonto National Forest and often treated as a gateway to Arizona's high country. It sits at a cooler, more wooded elevation than Phoenix or Tucson, with forest roads, trails, lakes, and Rim Country scenery nearby. Payson is also known for rodeo tradition, including its claim to the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, and for events like the Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin' Championship. It feels like a mountain service town, outdoor base, and small regional hub all together.