Christopher Creek & Star Valley, Arizona

Much of the area enjoys panoramic vistas of the famed Mogollon Rim, the Mazatzal Mountains and the Granite Dells. In fact, 97% of the area is national forest, providing for nearly endless recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, hiking, boating or just relaxing.

Rim Country

Central Arizona's "Rim Country" ranges in elevation from 4,500 feet in Star Valley to 6,000 feet in Strawberry. Much of the area is covered with a variety of trees including the majestic Ponderosa Pine, Pinion Pine, Juniper, Arizona Spruce, Black Jack Oak and many more.

Local Attractions

The area offers a number of scenic attractions. Local attractions include the Tonto Natural Bridge State Bridge, Shoo-Fly Indian Archeological Site, Payson Zoo, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Rim Country Museum, Pine-Strawberry Schoolhouse, Green Valley Park, Rumsey Park, Mazatzal Casino and Zane Grey Museum and Counsellor Art.

Recreation

The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Tonto National Forsest are two of the most popular attractions. At 183-feet high, 150-feet wide and 400-feet long, Tonto Natural Bridge is the world's largest known natural travertine bridge. In 1877, prospector David Gowan found the bridge while evading Apaches. Gowan later persuaded his family to leave Scotland and settle in the area, and his descendants eventually opened this natural wonder to the public. One of the most visited national forests in the nation, Tonto National Forest covers 2.9 million acres and is one of central Arizona's premier outdoor recreation destinations. Elevations range from 1,300 feet to nearly 8,000 feet and more than 860 miles of hiking trails are available. Six reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers serve as watersheds and wildlife habitats while offering prime spots for tubing, rafting, fishing, and other water recreation. Picnic areas and five developed campgrounds are maintained in the forest, where the recreation season generally runs from early May to mid October.

Culture

The Rim Country Museum, located in scenic Green Valley Park, preserves the natural and cultural history of the region. Exhibits feature ancient peoples of the area, the Tonto Apache as well as the cavalry and pioneer periods. For those seeking additional excitement, the Tonto Apache Indian Tribe operates a 35,000-square-foot casino. Live-action games include poker, keno, bingo and slots. Video keno and video poker are available as well.