Strawberry, Arizona, is a small town in the pines that is near the base of the Mogollon Rim. It has a lot of charm and classic beauty. Many Arizonans lose track of the area as they drive between towns on Beeline Highway.
But the winding road, the animals on the side of the road, and the signs that say “homemade pies” all make people want to stop and take a deep breath of the pine-scented air.
Strawberry has something for everyone, whether you like hiking in the great outdoors, going to historic sites and shopping for antiques, or eating delicious food and listening to live music. Let’s look at what’s best things to do in Strawberry, Arizona.
What to Do in Strawberry, AZ
Hike! I love exploring the outdoors by hiking or just taking a slow walk. If you go through the Forest Service gate at the end of Ernies Road in Strawberry, you’ll find a trail that leads to the top of the mountain. Check out the information here if you want to get all the way to the top. Pine Trailhead is just outside of Pine, so it’s still very close. It’s a great trail/area for all kinds of families, depending on how far you want to go.
Fossil Creek: You’ll need to plan for this one, but if you’re up for an adventure, you’ll want to check it out. You’ll need a permit for part of the year. During the fall and winter, you don’t have to, but there is limited parking in the lot, and you have to be the first one there to get a spot. From Strawberry, you’ll need to park and take the Bob Bear Trailhead to get to the waterfall. It’s an 8-mile round-trip hike, and it’s hot for many months of the year, so be ready. Still, if you like to take risks, it’s WELL worth it.
The hike to Fossil Creek is shorter if you go through Camp Verde, but you have to drive 14 miles on a dirt road with a 4-wheel drive to get to the parking lot.
The Strawberry Schoolhouse is the oldest schoolhouse still standing in Arizona, and you can see it if it’s open (call ahead). If they aren’t open, you can always drive up and take a look. Use the common outdoor areas if you’re staying at the Strawberry Inn. They play fun games on the lawn or just relax and enjoy the weather.
Where to Stay in Strawberry, AZ
The Strawberry Inn is always our first choice, whether you’re staying for a night or a week. We’ve been coming here since they first opened it again, and every year it gets better. Here, you can get a tour of all the rooms at the Inn or get an idea for a fun girls’ trip.
Since then, they have added Tiny Cottages, full houses, and most recently, Airstreams, so there is something for everyone. I love that they added a place to hang out near the tiny cottages. They call it “the yard,” and it’s one of our favorite places to hang out or play lawn games.
The Tiny Cottages are as cozy as the rooms at the Inn, but they have a little more room for the whole family. They have cottages that allow dogs, and you can choose from a studio to a two-bedroom cottage. We recently stayed in the One Bedroom Tiny Cottage #2 and would like to show you around. You can also see a quick video tour in my Instagram highlights.
All of the cottages have AC and heat, WiFi, and a small kitchen with a sink, fridge, microwave, and stovetop burners. I like that it has bunk beds since my teens don’t like sharing a bed. Next to this one is a small yard that is great for eating outside or letting your dog run around.
In the main Inn area, there is now a free library and a small coffee shop inside the windmill. The coffee shop makes great espresso. Every time we see this place, it gets better. At The Strawberry Inn, you can’t go wrong with any choice.
Best 21 Things to Do in Strawberry, AZ
1. Strawberry School House
The Strawberry Schoolhouse is a historic one-room schoolhouse in the small mountain village of Strawberry, Arizona, in the northwest corner of Gila County.
The Strawberry Schoolhouse, which was built out of pine logs in 1885, is the “oldest schoolhouse still standing” in Arizona. It is now a fully restored local history museum with a classroom display from the late 1800s.
On May 10, 2005, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building is one of the few Arizona wood schoolhouses that still stands.
2. Pine-Strawberry Museum
Okay, this place is actually in Pine, which is just a few miles away. However, since the two towns are so close and are often mentioned together, we’ll count it. This museum tells the history of the area, from the time when Arizona’s Native people were the only people who lived there (other than wildlife) to the time when the Spanish explored the area and the area became a frontier.
3. Visit the Tonto Natural Bridge
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is near Payson in central Arizona. It is the world’s largest natural bridge made of travertine. The bridge is 183 feet tall and goes over a tunnel that is 400 feet long and 150 feet wide at its widest point. There are three hiking trails, a place to have a picnic, and a place for groups to meet. Goodfellow Lodge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is a unique rustic hideaway in the middle of some of Arizona’s Rim Country’s most beautiful scenery.
In 1877, a Scottish man named David Gowan was being chased by Apaches and needed a place to hide. He found Tonto Natural Bridge. After hiding in the tunnel for three days and two nights, he used squatter’s rights to claim the bridge and canyon and brought the rest of his family from Scotland to live there in 1898.
4. Rancho Tonto Catch-a-Trout
This is a great place to bring kids to catch Rainbow Trout and have a lot of fun. For a small fee, they will give you a pole, line, hook, and bait so you can go fishing in one of their stocked ponds. The kids will definitely catch some nice fish, and there aren’t many places to fish where that’s a sure thing.
5. Taste Italian Cuisine at Mamajoe’s
Italian food is popular because it tastes good, is different, and is good for you. This restaurant’s classic recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.
Mamajoe’s is known for its seafood, steaks made from certified Angus beef, and homemade pizza and spaghetti. Their soups, sauces, and salad dressings are all made by them. All of their treats and sweets are made by Mama. If you want to try Italian food, stop by Mama Joe’s for a hearty meal.
6. There are also plenty of hiking trails to find nearby
The Pine-Strawberry Trail #15, which goes from the edge of Strawberry to Hardscrabble Mesa Road in Pine, is a good example. Also, there’s.
7. Explore Fossil Creek
Fossil Creek is a Wild and Scenic River that can be reached from the town of Strawberry, Arizona, on Fossil Creek Road. This river has long been one of the best places to go swimming for fun in Arizona. But with that comes a lot of trouble. To get into the area, you will need a permit and a parking pass.
Fossil Creek is one of only two rivers in Arizona that are Wild and Scenic. At 70 degrees Fahrenheit, water pours out of springs at the bottom of a 1,600-foot-deep canyon at a rate of 20,000 gallons per minute. These calcium-rich waters have built up huge amounts of a material called travertine over time. The area is called “Fossil Formations” because of the fossil-like formations made by the rock-like substance that covers whatever falls into the streambed.
Fossil Creek is a rare wetland in an otherwise dry area. Fossil Creek is home to a lot of plants and animals, like otters, beavers, leopard frogs, and black hawks. In some parts of Fossil Creek, native fish populations have been brought back.
8. Relax in the Verde Hot Springs
Follow the Verde River on a hike to get to a natural hot spring. A resort used to be on the side of a mountain where there are now two pools of water. The pool outside is about 95 degrees, and the pool inside the rock hut is well over 100 degrees. This spot is good for a day hike or even a backpacking trip that lasts the night. Along the path to the hot springs, there are some good places to camp.
9. Get Some Rest at the Strawberry Inn Little Cottages
At the Strawberry Inn, a small hotel in Strawberry, you can take it easy. The Strawberry Inn is a unique boutique hotel for travelers, nature lovers, and people who like to try new things. Their rooms are perfect for a romantic getaway, a family trip, a hunting trip, a business retreat, or a family get-together.
In addition to the main site, they have private cabins like The Guest House, The Creek Cabin, The Bungalow, The Bunkhouse, Tiny Cottages, and Airstreams for a glamping-style trip. The Strawberry Inn has something for everyone.
10. Looking at the stars from the Rim is a great way to end the day.
Strawberry is a small town, so there isn’t much light pollution. This makes it a great place to look at the stars. But if you’re not sure you’ll be able to see the Milky Way in all its glory, it doesn’t hurt to drive a few miles up the Rim to make sure it’s darker.
11. Buy a Drink at Windmill Coffee
Since the 1970s, The Windmill has been a BBQ joint, a place to store things, a tanning salon, and now a coffee shop and coffee roaster. Dan and Marina, who run Windmill Coffee and live in Pine/Strawberry, are from Southern California and got to the Rim through Phoenix.
Their dream of owning a coffee shop has come true, and they are excited to put up their sign and try out different flavors while working and living in their neighborhood. Windmill Coffee is proud to be a business that has been in the same family for many years.
You can buy a drink at their walk-up window and enjoy it in beautiful Strawberry, Arizona, or you can have fresh-roasted, delicious coffee brought to your door. Try their coffee at The Windmill, whether you’re a guest at the Strawberry Inn, a local, a day-tripper looking for an adventure, or just drinking coffee at home.
12. Down the Street Art Gallery
The artists’ Pam Fandrich, April Bower, Bob Gleason, Janice Hoyt, and Jeff Kuhns all have worked in the Down the Street Art Gallery. There are acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings in the gallery.
13. Rim Country Museum
Green Valley Park in Payson is where you can find this museum. The Northern Gila County Historical Society is in charge of running it. The museum keeps records of the area’s natural and cultural history. There are displays about the Tonto Apache and other ancient people who lived in the area, as well as the Calvary and pioneer times.
On the grounds of the museum are the original Forest Ranger Station, the top of the Mount Ord Watchtower, Payson’s first firefighting equipment and fire truck, and a bronze memorial statue honoring firefighters who died fighting forest fires. (928) 474-3483. 700 Payson’s Green Valley Parkway. Turn right out of our driveway and onto Hwy. 87. About 17 miles to the south, turn right on Main Street in Payson and follow it back to Green Valley Park.
14. Grab a Bite at the Sportsman’s Chalet
The Sportsman’s Chalet has a nice covered patio where people hang out and drink in the evening. Most people who come to this bar and grill, which specializes in Mexican food, like the well-cooked elk burgers, fried fish, and pork.
The Sportsman Chalet is also known for its great customer service and friendly staff who are always ready to help. Stop by for a bite to eat and a drink, whether you live in Strawberry or are just passing through.
15. Zane Grey Museum
Zane Grey called this state “my beloved Arizona” as a way to show affection. Its history and people gave him ideas for his westerns. It’s wildlife and landscape fueled his love of the wild, and the rough beauty of its nature stirred his introspective soul. He wrote 13 books about the “Rim Country,” and he often went hunting and fishing in Payson’s forests and lakes.
16. Enjoy a Meal at the Weekender
The Weekender is like a cozy cabin where you can watch the big game on Sunday with great food and great people. On their menu, they have baked mac ‘n’ cheese, three kinds of tacos, and fish ‘n’ chips with beer-battered fish, steak fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce.
You can also try their fajita quesadilla, Southwest grilled chicken sandwich, black & bleu steak salad, desserts, and a lot more. On a warm early evening, you can sit on the deck at The Weekender and enjoy their delicious food and drinks while taking in the view and the wind.
17. Fort Verde State Historic Park
During the Indian Wars of the 1870s and 1880s, Fort Verde was a busy military post. There are still four original buildings. There are also three officer’s quarters and the headquarters, which has a museum about the fort’s history, its soldiers, and the Indian scouts. Every October, Fort Verde Days are held. (928) 567-3275. Since the Verde Valley is over 3,000 feet lower than the Cabins On Strawberry Hill resort, the weather there is much warmer all year.
18. Purchase Herbal Goods at Herb Stop
In 1992, Leilah, who was a master herbalist and worked as an assistant in a Swiss pharmacy, opened The Herb Stop. The herb store started out in a small 300-square-foot space in Arizona. It quickly grew to be able to offer Herb Stop Certification Classes and an apprenticeship program.
Natalie Hajdu joined Leilah in 2002. She is a Master Herbalist and is now the President of The Herb Stop. Leilah and Natalie made a wonderful line of herbal products that has more than 2500 items.
Herb Stop’s main goal is to sell the highest quality herbal products to the general public. The Herb Stop wants to give everyone who wants to improve their quality of life the most up-to-date information about herbs and the best herbs to buy. Its factories and stores are now located in the mountainous area of Arizona.
19. Grand Canyon National Park
The 277-mile-long canyon is a geological and wildlife area with a beautiful forest above the desert. The South Rim of the canyon is open all year. Depending on the weather, the more beautiful North Rim is open from mid-May to mid-October (snow). There are 150 miles between Strawberry and the canyon.
Even though many of our guests go up and back down in one day, we recommend that you stay the night and enjoy the Grand Canyon’s famous sunrises and sunsets. How to get to South Rim: Turn left onto Hwy. 87 and go 19 miles until you reach Clint’s Well. Drive to Flagstaff by taking Lake Mary Road (Hwy 3) and turning left.
Follow the signs to turn left on Hwy 180 to get to the South Rim entrance after driving under I-40 and through Flagstaff.
20. Grab Unique Items inside Fancy Finds
Sherri Gray, who owns “The Cottage,” has opened “Fancy Finds” in Pine, Arizona. It is a one-of-a-kind market with a wide range of home decor, furniture, gifts, handmade flowers, clothing, and products that have been used for something else.
Sherri chose each item and vendor in her store by hand so that everyone can find something they like. They were lucky to find an old house in Pine, Arizona, that could hold all the treasures that were falling out of the cracks and give customers a relaxing place to look at their collection.
At last, there’s a store that makes you feel welcome and makes shopping fun. Every day, new things come in, so come in and look around.
21. Red Rock State Park
The fiery-colored cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon give this 286-acre park its name. It is a protected riparian habitat. The environmental education center in the park is open every day, and hiking and nature programs along Oak Creek focus on the animals that live there.
A highlight of the park is a self-guided ethnobotanical nature trail. Follow the signs to Montezuma Castle and keep going north on I-17 until you reach Hwy. 89.
Final Thoughts
Make the most of your time in Strawberry, Arizona, by going to the top places that tourists like to visit. Strawberry, Arizona, has many indoor and outdoor things to do, restaurants with delicious food, souvenir shops, and many other interesting things to see.
Pine, Strawberry’s neighbor, also has a lot of things to do that you can add to your tour to make it even more amazing. Book your trip now and invite your friends and family to join you for a trip they’ll never forget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Things to Do in Strawberry
Why is Strawberry Arizona a well-known name?
Strawberry, Arizona is a popular place for desert people to go on the weekends to get away from the heat of Phoenix and Scottsdale.
What Arizona lake is the best place to fish?
Alamo Lake State Park may be the best place to fish for largemouth bass in Arizona, and it may even be the best place to fish for crappie in the western United States. This desert lake is far away in a beautiful part of the Sonoran Desert near the small western town of Wenden.
Strawberry AZ is in what forest?
Coconino National Forest
Where in Arizona is Strawberry?
Gila County is in the middle of the state of Arizona, which is in the United States. As of the 2010 census, there were 53,597 people living there. Globe is the county seat. The Payson, Arizona Micropolitan Statistical Area is made up of Gila County. Parts of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and the San Carlos Indian Reservation are in Gila County.
What does the name “Strawberry” mean?
You can’t beat the fishing! When gold was found in the hills around 1875, people began to move to the area. Strawberry got its colorful name from the wild strawberries that grew all over the land, which is where the first people lived there. In 1885, they also opened Strawberry Schoolhouse.
Is it a good place to live in Strawberry, Arizona?
Strawberry is in a rural area and most of the people who live there own their own homes. There are a lot of bars and restaurants in Strawberry. Strawberry is home to a lot of retirees, and people who live there tend to be conservative. Strawberry has a lot of good public schools.
Does Strawberry, Arizona have strawberries?
Strawberry, Arizona got its name from the brightly colored wild strawberries that grew in the area. Most of the strawberries around Strawberry have been picked, but they still grow well there and can still be found.
Was there a town called Strawberry?
Strawberry, in El Dorado County, California, is the one that is most like the town in the game. It was built in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range after the California Gold Rush. By the end of the 19th century, it had become a popular resort town.
How far is Flagstaff from Strawberry?
In the north direction, it’s 55.35 miles from Strawberry to Flagstaff, and it’s 97 miles (156.11 km) by car if you take the I-17 N route. If you drive straight through, it takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to get from Strawberry to Flagstaff. This is the quickest way to get from Strawberry, Arizona, to Flagstaff, Arizona.
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