Where is Payson, Arizona, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Payson Located? - Payson is a city located in the Gila County of Arizona, United States. Payson lies between 35.0093 Degrees North latitudes and 90.7852 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Payson, Arizona

Where is Payson, Arizona

Payson Map, Arizona, USA

Where is Payson?: The Google Map showing the location of Payson in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Where is Payson Located?

Payson is a city located in the Gila County of Arizona, United States. Payson lies between 35.0093 Degrees North latitudes and 90.7852 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Payson city is 16351 people and the city has a total area of 19.35 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Payson, Arizona Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
TownPayson
CountyGila County
StateArizona
State CapitalPhoenix
US RegionWestern United States (Mountain West)
Latitude34.2309° N
Longitude111.3251° W
Elevation4,921 ft (1,500 m)
Land Area19.28 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area19.28 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)15,813
Population DensityApproximately 820 people per sq mi
ZIP Code85541
Area Code928
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC−7)
Time Zone DaylightNo Daylight Saving Time observed
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code04-53320
Congressional DistrictArizona's 7th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Payson, Arizona

CategoryDetails
Airport NamePayson Municipal Airport
IATA CodePAN
PortNo commercial port
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 87, State Route 260
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station in Flagstaff
Local Bus/Transit ServiceGila County and regional transportation services
  • U.S. Route 87 – Major north–south highway connecting Payson with Phoenix, Fountain Hills, and northern Arizona communities.
  • Arizona State Route 260 – East–west highway linking Payson with Heber-Overgaard, Show Low, and the White Mountains.
  • Payson Municipal Airport – General aviation airport serving local pilots and regional air transportation needs.

Top Places to Visit in Payson, Arizona

Landmark NameType
Tonto Natural Bridge State ParkState Park
Mogollon RimScenic Landmark
Green Valley ParkCommunity Park
Payson Pioneer MuseumHistory Museum
Tonto CreekNatural Attraction
Rumsey ParkRecreation Park
Woods Canyon LakeRecreation Area
Christopher CreekOutdoor Recreation Area
Horton Creek TrailHiking Area
Round Valley Trail SystemTrail Network

Driving Distances from Payson, Arizona to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
PhoenixArizona901 hour 30 minutes
ScottsdaleArizona801 hour 25 minutes
FlagstaffArizona1352 hours 20 minutes
PrescottArizona1002 hours
Show LowArizona901 hour 40 minutes
GlobeArizona751 hour 30 minutes
TempeArizona951 hour 40 minutes
TucsonArizona2103 hours 30 minutes
Las VegasNevada3105 hours
AlbuquerqueNew Mexico3906 hours

Colleges and Universities in Payson, Arizona

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Gila Community College – Payson CampusPublicCommunity CollegeCareer training, workforce education, and transfer programs
Northern Arizona University – Online and Regional ProgramsPublicUniversityUndergraduate and graduate education
Arizona State UniversityPublicUniversityResearch, business, and professional programs
Eastern Arizona CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnical and academic programs
Payson Unified School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Payson, Arizona

Tonto Creek, East Verde River, Verde River, Green Valley Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, Christopher Creek, Horton Creek, Roosevelt Lake

Stadiums in Payson

Payson High School Stadium, Rumsey Park Sports Complex, Payson Golf Club, Green Valley Park Recreation Facilities, Gila Community College Athletic Facilities, Tonto Apache Recreation Areas

Payson, Arizona — Key Historical Facts

  • Payson was founded in the late nineteenth century and was named after Congressman Louis E. Payson of Illinois.
  • The community developed around ranching, timber, and natural resource industries supported by the surrounding forests of the Mogollon Rim.
  • Payson is known as the "World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo" location, with the annual Payson Rodeo tradition dating back to 1884.
  • The town became a popular mountain recreation destination because of its forests, trails, lakes, and cooler climate compared with the desert valleys of central Arizona.
  • Today, Payson is recognized for its outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes, small-town atmosphere, and access to the Tonto National Forest.

References

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