Half acre single residence that frequently gets visited by some friendly Elk that can be hand fed carrots or apples. Christmas Decorated, tree (not shatter ornaments) kid and dog friendly, train, stockings, w/ outdoor lights too. Firewood provided Free for firepit & 2 full fireplaces but not guaranteed. With snow storms, the road does get plowed and the helpful fire station is only 1 mile away. Snow shovel & 2 sleds. It's not far from Phoenix (1.5-2hr drive). 10 miles from Payson: gas/ drive thru fast food, 2 grocery stores, Walmart, and home Depot. Wifi to work from home w/ office desk/ chair off great room. The cabin phone Vonage is on wifi as well. For cell phones, you must have the app on your phone for iphone and or android google play store to connect calls to wifi services or it will not work as the cabin is in the river valley. Enjoy Pine trees and fresh air. This is a kid and dog friendly Rustic Cabin with lots of assorted games and toys, but outdoor is fun...walking along river trails or hunting geodes or making that "s'mores" campfire. 3 Bedroom/2 Bath, 2 Fireplace 2 story Cabin Across the Street from the East Verde River nestled against a large hill where Elk walk to and from the National Forest. Cool Pines @ 5,300 ft. elevation 10 miles NE of Payson in Whispering Pines. Public access to river down street at wet bridge. Hiking trails along the river at 3rd crossing: 1.2 miles, 2nd crossing: 1.9 miles, waterwheel: 2.5 miles, and 1st crossing: 3.1 miles. The famous Highline trail head is 5 mile in Washington park. Fly fish for trout & small-mouth bass. Cabin Sleeps 8:1 queen, 2 full, 2 twin. Full crib not counted in total.
Linen & towels furnished. WIFI (fastest available in area), Blu-Ray, NetFlix, Direct TV total choice with NFL (700 range) and HBO (501 range), Roko, and Netbook Computer, children's games and many toys. Fully Equipped Kitchen & Laundry room w/ washer & dryer, Cabin Decor themed (Trout, Elk & Bear Rm). Living room w/leather sectional and, recliner. Custom Kitchen Table & Fireplace Mantels made of Juniper. Full Kitchen stocked with pots/pans/utensils/dinnerware/ crock pot/ toaster/single and pot coffee makers. Spice rack, etc... Large deck half shaded with gazebo. Easy access with French doors off the kitchen. Umbrella and stand, ample deck seating (6) to enjoy the wooded country atmosphere. Gas grill with 3 propane tanks & Fire ring. Fully fenced yard for your buddy and kids. Hidden under a large pine tree is a little fairy land. For the fishing enthusiast: 2 fly tying tables, a fishing rod holder inside & wader hanger outside. Dog friendly with fenced yard (up to 2 good dogs) with small flat fee of $50 per stay: no more expensive than other cabins that charge a larger cleaning fee... medium and extra large kennel in laundry room. For hunters: Excellent Elk & Turkey hunting w/ Tonto National Forestry access less than 1/4 mile from cabin. Enhance your stay by adding a guided fishing trip and get a honey hole document on good fishing holes. Yes, atv lovers... there is forest nearby on the control road toward Tonto Fish Hatchery, etc.. yes, driveway is long enough for a trailer.

In the greatroom upstairs, 42 inch flatscreen LCD HDTV with Blue Ray player, Free Netflix. Ruko smart TV access like YouTube. Board games & DVDs.
Fireplace firewood is provided for 2 fireplaces (one in kitchen and other in great room). Fire ring firewood (pine) is located next to garage. Availability varies due to restrictions, dryness, and precipitation. Firewood may be collected in nearby Tonto National Forest for 'small camp fires for free'. Text or email to check for update on wood pile. We do try to keep it stocked. Fire ring seating: Adirondack chairs and 2: 2 seater benches w/ 2 small tables. We have 4 ceramic heaters. One in each bedroom & kitchen. Feel free to place them where you want. (They use much less electricity than baseboard heat which we have also.) When you arrive at cabin, if 3 ceramic heaters are not enough, please turn on baseboard heaters until you have time to light fireplaces. Heaters take about 5 minutes to heat up. There is one located in bathroom and Bear room downstairs and a thermostat at top of stairs on the left side of wall for the living room. There is one in the Elk room and trout room too. Also, the fireplace dampers/flutes are closed. Before starting fires please look up and pull the black bar forward to you to open so fire smoke goes up chimney. If one fireplace is not in use keep that damper closed so smoke from the other fireplace doesn't reenter home because the chimney stacks are next to each other. From our and other guests it is best to place firewood as far back from front as possible to encourage smoke up flute and when first lighting it to heat up the chimney stack with a firestarter stick. (Please bring). These are just tricks you may already know. When the fire is out its best to close flute as soon as possible, because when the chimney stack cools down it can drive cold smoky air in. If that happens, just open the windows and run the ceiling fans. Every bedroom has ceiling fans. The great room has 2. AC in living room, bear room, trout room, elk room.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at the camping, hunting, outdoor sports counter of Walmart in Payson. Even in the winter, there is hold over trout at the 1st and 2nd wet bridges. They are the smarter ones that lasted thru the angler season so they are spooky, but if you catch one you are the master! A honey hole document for fishing hot spots will be sent with directions and cabin keyless entry code after payment is made in full a day prior to stay.
The East Verde River TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE starts April and continues weekly through end of August for the summer season by the AZ Game and Fish Department. See stocking schedule at:
http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/fishing/stocking/2012SumTroutStockSchedule.pdf

From Hwy 87, take a right onto Houston Mesa Road. It's 10 miles to cabin and it's mostly 35-45 mph 2 way paved road. Watch for Elk. At 6.9 miles, the first East Verde River access (parking area on right) is just beyond the bridge overpass has some great shallow swimming holes friendly to kids, dogs. It is a fish and game trout stocking spot. At 7.5 miles the next parking area on right is called Waterwheel which is VERY scenic with hiking trails and waterfalls. It has 3 sites stocked by fish and game. At 8.1 miles just after crossing the first wet bridge is a parking area called 2nd crossing on left which has great fishing areas (stocked by fish and game), hiking trail (see marker directly across the road by river). At 8.8 miles, the next parking area is on left beyond the 2nd wet bridge (also a fish stocking spot). Continue up curved hill and enter Whispering Pines Subdivision (on right side). The Left side is still Tonto Forest. The 3rd wet bridge crossing on Scott's Dr. is only another mile and .5 miles from the cabin. It is a great spot to plant some folding camp chairs (under stairs at cabin is some folding metal chairs for card table) and soak you feet, play, etc...
Upstream from cabin (take a right on Houston Mesa Rd from cabin, bear left at the road split). It is called Washington Park and is another river access with a well known great hiking trail called Highline Trail (5 miles from cabin). There are other river access points upstream on the dirt control road toward Hwy 260 (instead of bearing left toward Washington Park 5 miles from cabin and the famous Highline trailhead), cross bridge on right and bear left). This heads to Tonto Creek and fish hatchery, camping areas, etc... all part of Tonto Forest.
Reminder: Please check outlets for plugs, chargers, cords for your portable devises.
35 things to do in Payson
Drive, Bike, or Hike the Top of the Mogollon Rim.
Visit Tonto Natural Bridge & Tonto Fish Hatchery.
Fossil Hunting @ Paleo Site. Visit the Shoofly Indian Ruins & Zane Grey Museum.
Go Antiquing. Visit the Rim Country Museum in Payson. Fish at One of the Many Rim Country Lakes: woods canyon, willow springs, bear canyon. Golf on the public Payson Course. Take an Airplane Ride to View Rim Country.
Canoe, Fish, Walk Around Willow Springs and Woods Canyon Lakes.
Go Gambling at the Mazatzal Casino. Take the Children to Green Valley Park. Take a Stroll Down Payson's Historic Main Street. Bowling and movie theatre.
Stargaze Under the Clear, Night Sky. Attend One of Payson's Many Rodeos.
Pick a Trail and Go Hiking - Over 50 Miles to Choose From! A Railroad Tunnel too.
Go Fishing on One of the Many Streams that Surround Rim Country.
Relax in the Verde Hot Springs. Look for Crystals on Diamond Point. Go Horseback Riding. Visit the Payson Candle Factory. Natural Springs at Fossil.
This is a NO smoking property. Pets are allowed. Generally up to 2 good dogs are allowed for an additional fee. 1st dog $50. 2nd add $25.
Check in is 4pm. Check out is 11am. Please inquire if you need to check in earlier or later and please don't wait until the day of if you can. The cleaning service will already have their schedule set by then and it is too late to make adjustments. Text me if within a day and I will let you know. There is only one camera light on the flagstone porch facing the entry driveway for security and to check visual weather. The light control turns it off, but please turn it back on when checking out. Thanks.
The fire station is a mile away on Houston Mesa Road. Ice is only $2.00 a bag.
Generally there is a minimum 2 night booking required, but occasionally we can accept 1 night IF it can be confirmed by cleaning service that they can do this. Enquire if you are requesting this and I will check.
Max booking allowed is 30 nights with a bi weekly clean fee. *Please consider purchasing VRBO's low cost cancellation insurance for any last minute travel issues for any property you decide to book. Not handicap accessible.