Regional attractions
Here's a summary of the scenic Mogollon Rim, Montezuma Castle National Monument, the magnificent Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and more.

Mogollon Rim
Here, along 200 miles of dirt road on the edge of a great escarpment, one can find coolness, fantastic views, green grass and towering pines, deer, elk, bear and some of the most beautiful campsites in the state.
Mogollon Rim photo gallery
• Story: Rim Country Museum of archaeology

Payson, Arizona
This is an easy place to visit. It's less than 100 miles from the Valley via a scenic four-lane highway, so there's no need to pack a week's worth of clean underwear. It's several degrees cooler, an important factor in the summer.

Greer, Arizona
Greer is ensconced in a small valley 8,500 feet above sea level and is marked only by a loose gathering of cabins and lodges. Local wildlife outnumbers human inhabitants by perhaps 100-1.
• Other noteworthy mountain towns

Side trip: Montezuma Castle
This five-story, 20 room cliff dwelling nestled into a limestone recess high above Beaver Creek served as a "high-rise apartment building" for prehistoric Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago. It is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America.

Side trip: Walnut Canyon
Hike down into Walnut Canyon and walk in the footsteps of the people that lived here over 900 years ago. Under limestone overhangs, the Sinagua built their homes. These single story structures, cliff dwellings, were occupied from about 1100 to 1250.