I visited family members in Payson which is up in the ponderosa pine forest area known as the “Mogollon Rim” for the canyon edge around it. Payson is a small town but a favorite vacation spot from the much hotter Valley area as well as a nice camping area. (2005)
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A view of the Mogellan Rim and pines around Payson
Just north of Payson is the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, named for the formation you see here.
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/paysontonto-200x300.jpg)
Also near Payson are the Shoofly Village Ruins, the remains of set of Native American dwellings from 1000 years ago
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/paysonshoofly.jpg)
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/payson.jpg)
From the top of one of the overlooks above Payson, you can see that many people build nice homes among the pines in the mountain communities surrounding the town.