Editing Payson, Arizona (section)

==Recreation==
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[[Image:Paysonsnow.jpg|thumb|Heading north on Highway 87 into Payson during snowfall]]
[[File:Horton Creek Trail, Payson, Arizona - panoramio (52).jpg|thumb|alt=|Horton Creek Trail]]

The [[United States Forest Service]] has jurisdiction of 97% of the land around Payson; the town is surrounded by the [[Tonto National Forest]] and by tribal governments. Much of the land is available for recreational activities. Payson is home to several hiking trails—notably the Cypress/Boulders trail system and nearby [[Mogollon Rim]] trails (including [[Horton Creek (Arizona)|Horton Creek]] trail). The [[Tonto Natural Bridge]], the largest known [[natural arch|natural bridge]] in the world, is located just northwest of Payson in [[Tonto Natural Bridge|Tonto Natural Bridge State Park]], a unit of the [[List of Arizona state parks|Arizona State Park system]]. The area incorporates three golf courses, two of which belong to private country clubs. [[Native American gaming|Mazatzal Casino]], a [[Native American gaming|tribal casino]], is operated by the [[Tonto Apache|Tonto Apache Reservation]] near the south end of town.

The Payson area is a popular destination for [[Amateur geology|rock hound]]s. In various areas surrounding the community, [[quartz]] crystals can be found, some rivaling [[Herkimer diamond]]s in quality, as well as [[geode]]s, [[agate]] and [[onyx]]. [[Fossil]]s are commonly found in the [[Paleozoic]] [[stratum|strata]] that is exposed along the Mogollon Rim to the north and west of Payson along [[Arizona State Route 87|State Route 87]] and [[Arizona State Route 260|State Route 260]].

[[File:See Canyon Trail.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Autumn colors at See Canyon Trail.]]

Payson has two parks, Green Valley Park and Rumsey Park. It also has two lakes, which are part of the [[Arizona Game and Fish Department|Urban Fish Program]]. Payson hosts free outdoor concerts in the summer. Other activities include intramural sports like baseball and football. Payson also has a small skate park.

Payson hosts a Fourth of July fireworks display at Green Valley Park.