PLAYBOOK
Your Guide to Local Events, Activities & Programs
Discover everything happening in Payson Parks and Recreation with our seasonal Playbook—your go-to guide for upcoming events, youth and adult sports, community programs, and family-friendly activities. Inside, you’ll find registration dates, program details, helpful reminders, and fun highlights to help you make the most of each season in Payson.
For questions about the Playbook or any of the information inside, please contact our office at 928-472-5110 or stop by in person at 1000 W Country Club Dr., Payson, AZ 85541
Battle of Big Dry Wash Monument
The Battle of Big Dry Wash was fought on July 17, 1882, between troops of the United States Army’s 3rd Cavalry Regiment and 6th Cavalry Regiment and warriors of the White Mountain Apache tribe.
The location of the battle was called “Big Dry Wash” in Major Evans’ official report, but later maps called the location “Big Dry Fork”, which is how it is cited in the four Medal of Honor citations that resulted from the battle.
Indian Gardens Paleo Site
Discover the fascinating Indian Gardens Paleo Site, just a short drive east of Payson along Highway 260 near mile marker 267. This unique roadside attraction offers a hands-on fossil-hunting experience where visitors can find invertebrate fossils like brachiopods, crinoid stems, and bryozoans embedded in ancient shale and limestone layers.
With free parking and easy access, it’s a perfect stop for families, geology enthusiasts, or anyone looking to explore Arizona’s prehistoric past. Bring a small tool or magnifying glass and enjoy searching through the loose rock and talus slopes. Whether you’re on a road trip or spending the day in Rim Country, the Paleo Site offers an engaging and educational outdoor adventure just minutes from Payson.
Address: AZ-260, Payson, AZ 85541
Payson Farmer's Market
John and Lorian Roethlein conceived the Payson Farmers Market at the end of 2008 and opened July 4th, 2009 as a way to make a difference in their community. It’s created a gathering place in Payson where people can meet their friends, and it expands the availability of fresh local food in our community.
Starting with 12 vendors in the Community Presbyterian Church parking lot and now entering our 18th season with a prominent Beeline Hwy location and having 50+ vendors, we’re thrilled to say all areas of the market are going very, very well.
816 S Beeline Hwy Payson, AZ 85541
Rim Country Museum
The Rim Country Museum, located in Payson, Arizona, offers visitors a deep look into the history and culture of the region surrounding the Mogollon Rim. The museum features a collection of exhibits that highlight early pioneer life, Native American heritage, ranching traditions, and the development of the local community. Artifacts such as tools, photographs, household items, and period furnishings help bring the area’s past to life, giving visitors a tangible connection to the people who shaped Rim Country.
In addition to its indoor exhibits, the museum grounds include several historic structures, such as a log cabin, a blacksmith shop, and other preserved buildings that reflect the frontier lifestyle of early settlers. These outdoor displays allow visitors to explore how residents lived and worked in earlier times. The Rim Country Museum also hosts educational programs and community events throughout the year, making it both a cultural hub and a valuable resource for preserving the heritage of central Arizona.
More Info: Northern Gila County Historical Society
Zane Grey Cabin
The Zane Grey Cabin in Payson, Arizona, is a historic site dedicated to the life and legacy of famed Western author Zane Grey. Originally built in the early 1900s near the Mogollon Rim, the cabin served as a retreat where Grey wrote some of his most popular novels inspired by the rugged landscapes of Arizona. Although the original structure was destroyed by wildfire, it was later reconstructed in Payson near the Rim Country Museum, allowing visitors to experience a faithful recreation of the writer’s rustic hideaway.
Today, the cabin functions as a small museum filled with memorabilia, photographs, and artifacts related to Zane Grey’s life and literary career. Visitors can explore exhibits that showcase his influence on Western fiction and his deep connection to the Rim Country region. The cabin not only preserves the memory of one of America’s most iconic Western writers but also highlights the natural beauty and frontier spirit that inspired his stories.
More Info: Northern Gila County Historical Society