Road Trip Across the White Mountains

Stretching nearly 200 miles across central eastern Arizona, the Mogollon Rim is one of the state’s most dramatic landscapes. This towering geological escarpment marks the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, rising as much as 2,000 feet above the country below. Here, cool, high-elevation forests stand in striking contrast to the warmer desert landscapes of central and southern Arizona.

For travelers from the Phoenix area, Highway 87 leads northeast to Payson, a gateway to mountain adventures. From there, Highway 260 winds through dense stands of ponderosa pine, while Forest Road 300 — better known as Rim Road — follows the Rim for 45 miles between highways 260 and 87. Along the way, visitors encounter sweeping overlooks, dramatic limestone cliffs, and hiking trails with expansive views, including sections of the Arizona Trail. Nearby Tonto Natural Bridge and Fossil Creek offer additional opportunities to explore Arizona’s remarkable scenery.

East of the Rim, the White Mountains provide another high-country playground near the New Mexico border. Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Greer, Springerville, and Eagar offer dining and cabins and easy access to lakes, trails, and scenic byways. The region is home to vast ponderosa pine forests and abundant opportunities for camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and horseback riding.

In Pinetop, the Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center, owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, is a luxury destination resort and premier entertainment center in the White Mountains region.

In winter, Sunrise Park Resort becomes Arizona’s largest ski area. Summer brings scenic chairlift rides and access to mountain trails. With cool temperatures, colorful autumn foliage and year-round recreation, the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains offer a refreshing escape into Arizona’s wild high country.