What to Pack for Scenic Drives in Tempe

The history of the Mogollon Rim near Payson, Arizona, spans thousands of years from ancient indigenous settlements to frontier conflicts and logging operations that shaped modern Arizona. Understanding this history adds depth to every hike, drive, and quiet evening at your Rim Country vacation rental.

Ancient and Indigenous History

The Mogollon people, for whom the rim is named, inhabited the region for centuries before European contact. Evidence of their cliff dwellings and pottery can still be found in protected sites throughout the Tonto National Forest. Later, the Yavapai and Tonto Apache peoples lived in the area, developing sophisticated knowledge of the land's plants, animals, and water sources.

Frontier Era and Beyond

The General Crook Trail, which follows the rim, was built in the 1870s to connect military posts during conflicts with Apache leaders. The Pleasant Valley War of the 1880s, a bloody feud between ranching families, played out in the canyons below the rim. Logging operations in the late 1800s and early 1900s harvested the old-growth pine forests, and the scars of their sawmills remain visible at several sites along the rim.

Walk Through History

Explore these historical layers from your Payson vacation rental. Book your Rim Country stay at LoveYourVacationRental.com.