Things to do around Strawberry

Although Strawberry is a small town, there are many things you can do and see around here:

The Strawberry Schoolhouse: About two miles from Highway 87 on Fossil Creek Road is the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona. Just a short 2 minute drive from your stay!

There are lots of antique shops in Pine, just a short 5 minute drive from the cabin. Information will be in the guest book.

Fossil Creek: Ask for information at the Pine / Strawberry Fire Department on Fossil Creek Road in Strawberry as you're driving in to the cottage. Reservations are required, and the hike to the creek is difficult. Please take plenty of water, a hat, and remember, no flip flops allowed!

Hardscrabble Mesa: A good area for hikes and four wheeling. If you look closely you may even find an arrowhead or two. Twin Buttes road is a nice drive in the country, or you can go the "back way" from Strawberry to Pine. High clearance vehicle, truck or 4WD is recommended, especially if wet.

Calf Pen Canyon: Six miles North of town, this area overlooks our miniature version of the Grand Canyon. Extremely Rough Road

Wildcat Springs: A good place to find clamshell fossils, camp, or just take a hike. 300 Road is nearby, and is a nice ride in the forest with many fantastic views. Again, as with any Forest Service road, be careful of your choice of vehicle.

Pine Museum: Local history in Pine at the Community Center.

Tonto Natural Bridge: A popular State Park halfway between Strawberry and Payson. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Strawberry to Pine Trail: Starts at the southbound slow vehicle pullout on Hwy 87 just south of the turnoff to The Bear restaurant. This trail meanders down from Strawberry Mountain to Pine. It is not a casual hike, and may take some effort. Good hiking shoes, a hat and plenty of water are highly recommended.

Fishing Spots: Potato Lake, & Blue Ridge Reservoir are the best spots. Although some local ponds have fish, they are either entirely on Private Property or surrounded by Private Property. Please ask in town if fishing is allowed before wetting a hook.

REMEMBER...WHEN HIKING, IF YOU PACK IT IN, PLEASE PACK IT OUT!!

A water bottle, soda or beer can, potato chip bag, or burger take-out box all weigh less when they're empty, which makes it easier to carry them out.

AREA AMENITIES:

Grocery Shopping:

Ponderosa Market- 10 minutes from cottage, has basics

Tonto National Forest, 6112 Hardscrabble Mesa Rd, Pine, AZ 85544

Walmart- PAYSON

Safeway-PAYSON

Bashas- PAYSON

DINING:

Old County Inn- Pizza

Mama Joe's Italian

Randall House- Gourmet

That Brewery- Pub Food

Mi Familia- Mexican

Sidewinders Tavern Grill- American

Sportsman's Chalet Bar and Grill- Pub Food

Pine Creek Fudge and Ice Cream

HB's Place- Breakfast

Pine Deli- Lunch

HIKING:

Pine Trail- Beginning/ Intermediate

Tonto Natural Bridge

Fossil Creek: Permit Required from the fire station on Fossil Creek Road - VERY HARD/STRENUOUS HIKE - may be closed during fire restrictions

OTHER POPULAR HIKING AREAS IN RIM/PAYSON AREA:

Mogollon Rim - "The Rim"

Hellsgate Wilderness

Mazatzal Wilderness

Granite Dells

Lakes/ Creeks:

Lakes-

Green Valley Lake

Bear Canyon Lake

Black Canyon Lake

Blue Ridge Resevoir

Chevelon Lake

Knoll Lake

Willow Springs Lake

Woods Canyon Lake

Roosevelt Lake

Creeks-

Tonto Creek

Horton Creek

Christopher Creek

Chevlon Creek

ATTRACTIONS:

Fossil Creek Creamery and Goat Petting Zoo and Education Farm

Kohls Ranch Stables- Payson

Tonto National Forest, 288 West Kohl Road, Payson, AZ 85541

Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery

Tonto National Forest, 3898 N Tonto Creek Rd # 1, Payson, AZ 85541

ARTS AND ANTIQUES:

Myras Gallery

Antique Shopping in Pine

Auntie Gails Collectibles

Pine Country Antiques and Vintage

Tymeless Antiques and Treasures

Moose Mountain Gifts & Antiques

Coach House Antiques and Boutique

Be aware that summertime generally warrants a very strict fire restriction in the area. Illegal fires, smoking, matches etc can warrant a minimum $5,000 fine and 6 months incarceration. The neighbors are watching out for their property as well as ours, and they will call the fire department for any infraction of this rule.

Strawberry, Arizona, gets only 27 inches of rain per year. The US average is 39. Average snowfall is 8 inches. The average US city gets 26 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 43.

On average, there are 283 sunny days per year in Strawberry, Arizona. The July high is around 87 degrees. The January low is 26. Sperling's comfort index for Strawberry is a 79 out of 100, where a higher score indicates a more comfortable year-round climate. The US average for the comfort index is 54.