You’ll want to check out these kayaking and hiking spots near Payson Arizona if you’re looking to avoid the rising Phoenix temperatures. I usually opt for outdoor activities like kayaking, paddleboarding or boating starting in April and ending in September.
Kayaking at Blue Ridge Reservoir
Blue Ridge Reservoir is located north of Payson near Happy Jack Arizona. It is a popular spot for hiking, kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and more. Though this spot is well known, we got pretty lucky with only a half-full parking lot this weekend. There isn’t much parking available at this location and there is only one small boat ramp. Before visiting I recommend you get familiar with the area and read up on it here.
After hiking down a short way along the canyon side, we were able to find a good spot.
Since this reservoir is located in a canyon, shoreline access is very limited. Most areas to sit are on rocky ledges as shown above. We got lucky with very few people around. We sat for close to an hour, sipping White Claws and watching people cruise along the river on their kayaks and paddle boards.
A good handful of people were cruising their blow-up paddle boards(ad). Tim and I have been thinking of getting these for all our summer days spent near the water here in AZ – they look like a blast!
Tim did a little cliff jumping and then before we knew it, the storm clouds began to roll in. We decided to pack up and head to Tonto Natural Bridge for a little hiking.
Hiking to Tonto Natural Bridge
It’s only $7 per person to get into the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park just south of Pine Arizona, 20 minutes from Payson. Gowan Trail is the longest trail and will get you to the waterfall that trickles off the top of the bridge to the creek below.
We walked along Pine Creek, snapped some photos, and explored around underneath the bridge. There is no swimming allowed here, and they do have rangers that will be sure to remind you of that.
The observation deck is a great way to just get close to the waterfall if you don’t want to hike up underneath. The state park website is a great place to look before heading to this spot. Always check the site first in case there are any closures.
A couple of my favorite water day outfit accessories:
- My floppy hat(ad)! Works really well for the sun, not so much for the rain haha.
- I rarely adventure in anything but leggings but in light of trying to get some sun, I’ve been obsessed with my high-waisted denim shorts(ad) all summer.
- Another rare accessory on my blog, sandals! These cute ones(ad) are super comfy and were just fine for a majority of the day – just avoid the slick spots!
We got lucky with cooler weather on this day but it can still get very hot up in this area. Quite a different view compared to the snow-covered area from the last Payson visit for our elopement styled shoot. If you visit, bring water on your hike, and remember to pack out what you pack in – there are no trash cans on the trails.
The tunnel is approximately 393 feet long and the rocks underneath are very slick! We sat and people watched for a while. Stay safe, respect those that are sharing this trail with you.
Hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy some of Arizona’s beautiful landscape this year.
Kayaking and Hiking Spots
Near Payson | Arizona
- Blue Ridge Reservoir – Great for kayaking, paddleboarding. Limited parking.
- Limited shoreline access at Blue Ridge Reservoir – mostly rocky areas to sit.
- Tonto Natural Bridge State Park – $7 per person
- Take Gowan Trail to the waterfall area
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only share products I have used, tested, and love!
