The Payson/Mogollon Rim ride is the third of the five best motorcycle rides from the Phoenix area.

Payson, Mogollon Rim

The 256-mile loop incorporates a forty-three mile maintained forest road ride and rewards riders and passengers with magnificent views from the edge of the Colorado Plateau. The first 100-mile ride on the pavement lifts you almost five thousand feet, to the top of the Mogollon (pronounced muggy-yon) Rim.

Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. The vast acreage covered by tall pines is part of the largest ponderosa pine forest on the continent. Surprise, surprise, this too is Arizona! Entering the city limit of Rye, on Hwy 87 watch for the huge Motorcycle Salvage Yard on your right.

If you are interested in stories of frontier living, pay tribute to Zane Gray, the father of the western novel by visiting his recently restored cabin in Payson. Just a few miles north of Payson the Tonto Natural Bridge invites you for a scenic hike. If you happen to visit Strawberry on a weekend between mid May and mid October, you can peak in the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona, which was established in 1884. Just ten miles from Strawberry you’ll leave the pavement and turn onto the Rim road, one of the finest back country roads in the Phoenix vicinity.

In addition to the enthralling vistas, the road also follows another feature of interest, the General Crook Trail, which the famous Indian fighter blazed to his stronghold at Fort Apache.

If you look carefully, you still can see remains of the old wagon road snaking its way beside the top of the cliffs. The highest elevation of this trip, the Promontory Lookout at 7,900 feet, also defines the best season for this ride. Unless you want to try snow riding, schedule your trip to the Rim Country between May and early October.

At Mountain Meadow you’ll reconnect with the pavement. Take a break at Kohl’s Ranch where you can savor a Payson Cheese Steak or a Canyon Creek Sandwich in the Zane Grey Steakhouse & Saloon. You’ll continue your trip east towards Payson and then descend to the Valley of the Sun. During the summer drought occasional forest road closures do happen. Check out the conditions with the National Forest Service before you head out.

Note: Before you plan a ride on unpaved roads, make sure that your bike is equipped for such a ride and the bikers are prepared with the appropriate motorcycle riding skills.

Motorcycle Ride From Phoenix #1: Fountain Hills, Bartlett Lake
Motorcycle Ride From Phoenix #2: Wickenburg, Prescott
Motorcycle Ride From Phoenix #3: Payson, Mogollon Rim
Motorcycle Ride From Phoenix #4: Tortilla Flat, Apache Trail
Motorcycle Ride From Phoenix #5: Lake Pleasant, Castle Hot Springs