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

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
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Town | Payson |
| County | Gila County |
| State | Arizona |
| State Capital | Phoenix |
| US Region | Western United States (Mountain West) |
| Latitude | 34.2309° N |
| Longitude | 111.3251° W |
| Elevation | 4,921 ft (1,500 m) |
| Land Area | 19.28 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.00 sq mi |
| Total Area | 19.28 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 15,813 |
| Population Density | Approximately 820 people per sq mi |
| ZIP Code | 85541 |
| Area Code | 928 |
| Time Zone Standard | Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC−7) |
| Time Zone Daylight | No Daylight Saving Time observed |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 04-53320 |
| Congressional District | Arizona's 7th Congressional District |
Transportation and Connectivity in Payson, Arizona
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Payson Municipal Airport |
| IATA Code | PAN |
| Port | No commercial port |
| Major Highways | U.S. Route 87, State Route 260 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station in Flagstaff |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Gila 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 Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Tonto Natural Bridge State Park | State Park |
| Mogollon Rim | Scenic Landmark |
| Green Valley Park | Community Park |
| Payson Pioneer Museum | History Museum |
| Tonto Creek | Natural Attraction |
| Rumsey Park | Recreation Park |
| Woods Canyon Lake | Recreation Area |
| Christopher Creek | Outdoor Recreation Area |
| Horton Creek Trail | Hiking Area |
| Round Valley Trail System | Trail Network |
Driving Distances from Payson, Arizona to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Arizona | 90 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Scottsdale | Arizona | 80 | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Flagstaff | Arizona | 135 | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Prescott | Arizona | 100 | 2 hours |
| Show Low | Arizona | 90 | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Globe | Arizona | 75 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Tempe | Arizona | 95 | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Tucson | Arizona | 210 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | 310 | 5 hours |
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | 390 | 6 hours |
Colleges and Universities in Payson, Arizona
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gila Community College – Payson Campus | Public | Community College | Career training, workforce education, and transfer programs |
| Northern Arizona University – Online and Regional Programs | Public | University | Undergraduate and graduate education |
| Arizona State University | Public | University | Research, business, and professional programs |
| Eastern Arizona College | Public | Community College | Technical and academic programs |
| Payson Unified School District | Public | K–12 District | Primary 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.
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