Payson Hikes

Horton Creek: up in Payson, Arizona, this hike is almost like a perfect getaway short day hike or even a remote and low-key enough spot for a hike and overnight camp with some friends. It is very dog-friendly, with water the whole way of the hike and the option to summit to a ridge-like peak that will give you a view of the rim country. Very easy to follow trail along the creek, I have seen families come out to this trail before with parents teaching their children how to fish.

Mount Ord, off of the 87 on the way to Payson, most people will drive up to the parking lot to make the 1-mile hike to the summit and still complain about that. The real ones will go past the road that says Mount Ord and go to the parking lot where the people who want to hike the 15-mile route to the summit and show up anyone driving it. It's a good view of Saguaro Lake, the Salt River, Verde, and maybe even Bartlett. I'm not entirely sure, regardless an incredible view.

Fossil Springs hike: I will always recommend this hike to anyone willing to do a long day hike for one of the best views in Arizona. This hike begins in Strawberry. Most of the time, the trailhead is closed, and you usually need a permit, but that is totally avoidable. You can technically drive to the fossil spring trailhead, which would only make it a 2 mile but what’s the fun in that, and putting that tear on your vehicle, make the 12-mile day. If you go off-season, you will see no one.

Willow Springs Lake, I winter hiked and camped at this lake. It was peaceful, quiet, and pretty. A nice Arizona lake, obviously no visitors in the winter when I went however there will be a crowd during the high season. A fun drive from Phoenix, I would recommend visiting if you’ve already seen most of Arizona like myself.