PAYSON, ARIZONA

Payson, located at the heart of Arizona, is a vibrant recreation destination, amidst the tall pines and cool waters of Arizona's Rim Country. Renowned for its Western Heritage, the area enjoys a mild four-season climate. Payson rests at the base of the majestic Mogollon Rim, a 7,000 foot, 200 mile long escarpment in the world's largest Ponderosa Pine Forest.  Elevation: 5,003′

The Mogollon Rim that extends nearly 200 miles from just southwest of Flagstaff to the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The Mogollon Rim marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau and is thousands of feet high. The average elevation of the rim is about 7000 feet and the area is known for its ponderosa pine forests that form the largest stands of this tree in the United States. The lakes of the Rim Lakes area were created by damming small canyons that drain northward from the Mogollon Rim. Although modest in size, the lakes occupy a lovely forested setting. Woods Canyon Lake is the most popular and easily accessed. Hikers enjoy the recently restored 60+ mile Highline Trail and Arizona Trail access.

Thousands of years ago, volcanic lava and seawater formed a travertine dam in a canyon north of present-day Payson. As the dam eroded and water seeped through, Tonto Natural Bridge was formed. At 150 feet wide, this natural wonder arches over Pine Creek and a narrow canyon brimming with native plants and wildlife. 

Located just 18 miles north east of Payson, Arizona in the ponderosa pines at the base of the Mogollon Rim. Starting as professional stuntmen in the mid 1970’s, Glenn and Wade Gibbons learned all the aspects of the film industry they could. This paid off later as they went from in-front of the camera to producing. Now they produce and direct television shows, commercials, documentaries and second unit.