Payson, Arizona: A Three-Day Mountain Biking Expedition

Embark on an Unforgettable Three-Day Mountain Biking Journey in Payson, Arizona

Day 1: Conquering the Highline Trail's Epic Segments

The Highline Trail stands as Payson's premier mountain biking challenge, a monumental 63-mile backcountry route that has recently undergone a significant transformation with a $1 million investment for modern, sustainable reroutes. This trail is now a highly enjoyable intermediate-level adventure, traversing a rugged and remote wilderness. Riders will encounter an astonishingly diverse landscape, from soaring rock outcroppings and stone towers to lush forested ridges. Despite Arizona's arid reputation, the Highline Trail surprises with its verdant sections, nourished by numerous springs and year-round streams that feed abundant plant and animal life before transitioning into more arid terrain at higher elevations.

Exploring the Diverse Highline Trail Segments

The Highline Trail is thoughtfully divided into three distinct segments, each approximately 21 miles long: Gathering Waters, Inner Sanctum, and Geronimo's Call. While all segments offer an intermediate difficulty, they each provide a unique riding experience. Gathering Waters, when ridden east to west, features a mix of machine-built singletrack and challenging, rocky climbs and descents. For a more approachable and flowing ride, the Inner Sanctum segment begins with stunning red rock slabs before transitioning into smooth, undulating machine-built singletrack. Geronimo's Call is known for its significant elevation changes, including a challenging 1,000-foot descent followed by an 800-foot climb, and concludes with a 900-foot descent to the Pine trailhead, offering a few technically demanding rocky features that add to its allure.

Day 2: The Scenic Pine-Strawberry Loop and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

For those seeking a less logistically complex yet equally rewarding experience, the 21-mile Pine-Strawberry Loop offers a magnificent circular ride starting from the Pine Trailhead. This loop begins with a strenuous ascent over rocky historic singletrack, demanding constant engagement from riders. As the trail progresses, it transitions to newer, more flowing sections carved into the mountainside, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below. The descent via Two Ravens, a recently completed smooth trail, provides a contrasting experience before rejoining the Arizona Trail (AZT) for a technically demanding finish with challenging rock features near the trailhead. In the afternoon, a visit to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is highly recommended. Here, visitors can marvel at one of the world's largest natural travertine bridges, explore hiking trails that lead beneath the impressive formation, and navigate slippery rocks and small waterfalls, making for an adventurous and awe-inspiring side trip.

Day 3: The Technical Terrain of Granite Dells and the Dynamic Ubuntu Trail

Granite Dells, also affectionately known as "Boulders," represents Payson's in-town trail system, offering the region's most technical riding experience. Recently legalized, these eight miles of singletrack are easily accessible from various neighborhood trailheads. The area is characterized by dramatic granite boulder outcroppings and rocky ridgelines, which provide both visually stunning scenery and challenging rock gardens and technical slabs. Unlike the previous days' rides, Granite Dells is an undulating network that requires proficiency in both climbing and descending. While some features reach black-diamond difficulty, most technical sections offer ride-around options, making it accessible for a range of advanced riders. In the afternoon, for those with energy remaining, the Ubuntu Trail offers a perfect cool-down lap. This three-mile loop, specifically designed as a high school race course, features purpose-built bike elements such as small tabletop jumps, rock drops, berms, and strategically placed rock gardens, providing a dynamic and skill-developing ride with multiple line choices for varying difficulty levels.

Beyond the Trails: Accommodations, Dining, and Essential Services

After an exhilarating day on the trails, Payson offers various options for lodging, dining, and bike services. Accommodation choices range from well-known hotels to charming locally-owned inns and vacation cabins in nearby Pine and Strawberry. For those preferring a more natural setting, the Houston Mesa USFS campground provides ample sites from RV spots to tent-only setups. While Payson's culinary scene offers less diversity, several excellent restaurants cater to different tastes, including THAT Brewery & Pub for American pub fare and BBQ, Old County Inn for wood-fired pizza, and K Sushi Bar and Grill for Japanese cuisine. Delicious! Cafe is an excellent choice for lunch, tea, and coffee. For bike repairs or accessories, Payson lacks a traditional bike shop, so riders should come prepared. However, Mac Vorce of Rim Country Bicycles provides a mobile repair service, even offering assistance in remote backcountry areas. Shuttle services for the Highline Trail are available through Hermosa Tours, with day shuttles commencing in September 2026, and Rim Country Bicycles also offers shuttle options.