Payson
Homes and Real Estate for Sale in Gila County, Arizona
Payson:
While many picture Arizona as sand and cactus,
Gila County’s “Rim Country” in Central Arizona offers a majestic setting
with spectacular views and a mild, four-season climate. Payson is the
economic hub of Central Arizona’s high country. Situated at a comfortable
5,000 feet, Payson is just a 90-minute drive from the Phoenix metropolitan
area and is known for its beauty, recreational opportunities and more
dynamic business environment. The area, a longtime haven for retirees, is
quickly becoming a year-round destination for families. Nearly 25,000
residents live in the area that is set amidst one of the largest stands of
Ponderosa pine in the world. With a rich Western heritage, Payson captures
the atmosphere of rural America but still offers all the amenities of a
metropolis. Home prices in the area range from $60,000 to $170,000 for
condominiums and townhouses. Single-family homes start at around $70,000
and run up to $3.2 million for large estate homes with spectacular views.
The local Payson
economy is dominated by tourism and retirement industries with a growing
emphasis on manufacturing and service firms. Light industry compatible
with the community's high quality of life is being encouraged. Many
Arizonans and visitors alike migrate to cool Payson in summer. In the
winter, the community attracts many visitors wanting to enjoy the mild
climate and rural atmosphere.
Among the area's major employers are the Payson Unified School District,
the Mazatzal Casino, the Payson Regional Medical Center and the town of
Payson. In recent years, several manufacturing operations have located in
Payson including Precision Intricast (precision orthotics device
manufacturer), Pulau Electronics, Custom Aircraft (airplane
assembly/repair firm) and Daryl's Precision (precision machine work).
Other employers include Gollipops (lollipop producer) and the Payson
Candle Factory.
The Payson Economic Development Corporation works actively with new and
existing business to provide high quality business and employment
opportunities for area residents. It operates a revolving loan fund
program for use by local and relocating firms requiring low-interest
financing. All of Gila County is an “Enterprise Zone.”
Much of the area enjoys panoramic vistas of the famed Mogollon Rim, the
Mazatzal Mountains and the Granite Dells. In fact, 97% of the area is
national forest, providing for nearly endless recreational opportunities
including fishing, hunting, hiking, boating or just relaxing.
Central Arizona’s “Rim Country” ranges in elevation from 4,500 feet in
Star Valley to 6,000 feet in Strawberry. Much of the area is covered with
a variety of trees including the majestic Ponderosa Pine, Pinion Pine,
Juniper, Arizona Spruce, Black Jack Oak and many more.
The area offers a number of scenic attractions. Nestled in the gently
rolling hills of the majestic Mogollon Rim -- a 7,000-foot, 200-mile long
escarpment -- Payson is minutes away from seven Rim lakes and countless
trout streams. Local attractions include the Tonto Natural Bridge State
Bridge, Shoo-Fly Indian Archeological Site, Payson Zoo, Tonto Fish
Hatchery, Rim Country Museum, Pine-Strawberry Schoolhouse, Green Valley
Park, Rumsey Park, Mazatzal Casino and Zane Grey Museum and Counsellor
Art.
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Tonto National Forsest are two of
the most popular attractions. At 183-feet high, 150-feet wide and 400-feet
long, Tonto Natural Bridge is the world's largest known natural travertine
bridge. In 1877, prospector David Gowan found the bridge while evading
Apaches. Gowan later persuaded his family to leave Scotland and settle in
the area, and his descendants eventually opened this natural wonder to the
public. One of the most visited national forests in the nation, Tonto
National Forest covers 2.9 million acres and is one of central Arizona's
premier outdoor recreation destinations. Elevations range from 1,300 feet
to nearly 8,000 feet and more than 860 miles of hiking trails are
available. Six reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers serve as watersheds
and wildlife habitats while offering prime spots for tubing, rafting,
fishing, and other water recreation. Picnic areas and five developed
campgrounds are maintained in the forest, where the recreation season
generally runs from early May to mid October.
The Rim Country Museum, located in scenic Green Valley Park, preserves the
natural and cultural history of the region. Exhibits feature ancient
peoples of the area, the Tonto Apache as well as the cavalry and pioneer
periods. For those seeking additional excitement, Just outside of Payson
the Tonto Apache Indian Tribe operates a 35,000-square-foot casino.
Live-action games include poker, keno, bingo and slots. Video keno and
video poker are available as well.
Payson is in Eastern Arizona. It is
in Gila County. The town is located below the Mogollon Rim making it a
cool and comfortable retreat. Surrounding Payson is the Tonto National
Forest, which holds the largest stand of Ponderosa pine in the world. The
town is located on State Highway 87, at the junction of State Highway 260.
Payson is the geographical center of Arizona and is a great place to start
your adventures along the Mogollon Rim. It is one of the oldest
communities in the state and has grown to become a very popular mountain
cabin retreat area. Today Payson's population is 24,500. The town sits at
an elevation of 5,000 feet. The climate is cool and mild all year round
with the winter low temperature of 23 degrees and summer high temperature
of 92 degrees. The town does receive 10 inches of snow a year and 15
inches of rain. Payson is known for its numerous festivals and events held
year round from rodeos to a fiddlers contest to a logging competition. It
is a mountain community where visitors will find every kind of outdoor
activity including hunting, fishing, camping and hiking.
There are many attractions you won't want to miss during a visit to
Payson. The Museum of the Forest must be your first stop when arriving in
town. The museum has lots of information on Payson's history, with its
focus being on what life was like as a forest ranger in the early years.
The museum has artifacts, displays and historic buildings, all of which
make the museum an interesting stop. The Strawberry Schoolhouse is just
north of Payson, in the town of Strawberry. This schoolhouse is the oldest
one in Arizona, built in 1885. It has been restored and is full of unique
pieces revealing what education was like long ago.
The Shoofly Indian Archaeological Site is just minutes from town. This
site once held more than 80 rooms built of wood, stone and adobe. The
interpretive trail gives visitors an opportunity to learn more about the
village. The Payson Exotic Zoo is a small zoo filled with special animals.
Many of the animals living here have been in movies. They are trained wild
animals and are accustomed to human contact. It is one zoo you will want
to visit. Mazatzal Casino is located just south of Payson. This is where
gaming fun can be found. The casino has over 300 slot machines, bingo,
keno and a card room. Mazatzal Casino is known for a "Hot Time in the Cool
Pines".
Since Payson is set in the middle of the forest where there are numerous
outdoor activities available to visitors. The Tonto Natural Bridge State
Park is a spectacular sight. The park has picnic areas, a historic lodge
and hiking trails down to the 400-foot natural travertine tunnel. It is a
natural wonder that must be one of your top places to see.
Fishing is a very popular outdoor activity. If you would like to learn
more about these fine fin friends, then you will need to head out to the
Tonto Fish Hatchery. Here you will see brown, brook and rainbow trout
growing to maturity. The interpretive walk is full of fish facts. The
Fossil Springs Wilderness Area is just a short drive north of town, near
Strawberry.
The 12,000-acre wilderness area has pools of water along the creek, which
are ideal for taking a cool dip. There are also hiking trails throughout
the wilderness area. If camping is your thing, then a visit to Woods
Canyon Lake is the place for you. The lake offers two campgrounds, a store
and hiking trails. It is the perfect mountain getaway.
Events:
Spring Pro Rodeo May
June Bug Blues Festival June
Loggers and Sawdust Festival July
World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo August
State Championship Fiddlers Contest September
|
Search
Available Homes In Payson -------------------------------Active Listings