Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest — Attraction in Alpine

Beautiful and Green!!! It rained all night when we drove up Friday! It was refreshingly cool and the rain-washed air smelled delicious! We spent our first night at the Majestic Mountain Inn located in Payson. Our bed was a heavenly king and it was so comfortable! Even though I needed a handicapped room we were unable to secure one on such short notice, however the room was very comfortable and clean - all the rooms opened to a common green area planted with pine trees and some very pretty pink blooming trees that I've completely forgotten the name of, and we had two nice patio chairs to sit on, with a table. Other guests were enjoying the morning as well. There was a darling little squirrel 🐿 that was busy planting nuts and was meticulously patting the sod back carefully over each nut he planted. He was actually resodding!!! We thought he must have been a golfer in his past life because it was just like he was covering his divot holes!!😆 The ice, soda and small grill with a kitchen set-up was back here as well, the heated pool and community room where they served you a complimentary breakfast-was located at the end of this green belt. I didn't eat but my husband said it was quite good, the chef had prepared him eggs over easy, a biscuit and gravy and a sausage patty. The coffee was very good too!. We checked out at 11AM and I wished we had booked the entire weekend but as I said before, Payson is swamped and you have to make reservations ahead of time. No free HBO in these rooms just basic cable. But the manager gave us a $10 coupon for Fargos Steakhouse right next door--- sorry to say we didn't try it, next time we will😊. That morning we headed for Heber-Overguaard to my Sister and Brother in Laws Cabin. The Forest on the way up was green, clean and so fresh smelling! We even saw a HUGE ELK grazing in a meadow! We made it safely to my Sisters and had a wonderful afternoon and evening sitting around the fire pit, BBQing and I honestly couldn't get over how gorgeous the weather was. That night we stayed at the Best Western Sawmill Inn..again, make reservations IN ADVANCE for your own good!!! Especially if you need a handicapped room😉... The Sawmill Inn-- my husband thought the rooms were cleaner, we had two very nice queen beds with lots of nice bed pillows, the television had a bagged, sterilized remote- free HBO and MAX lots more channels( if you're an insomniacs like me you'll appreciate this) the room was not handicapped-friendly but that was my fault and for being a smoking room it did not reek....in fact it was fresh. I was surprised they still have smoking rooms. My Husband rated the complimentary breakfast as really awful. We thought about checking out The Ponderosa Cafe (name?) but thought we better head down the mountain and we'll save that for next time😊. All in all it was a fun little road trip! The Forest was clean, green and the rocks and pine trees were washed fresh from all the daily rains they have been having ~♡ I heard on the news we missed some great rains here in Mesa and all over southern Arizona (wouldn't you know it!!😉😆😣😐) just when we leave town!! Our next trip will be to Forest Houses Resort in September and I can't wait! I absolutely adore that place and it's been years since we've been there, I can't wait to tell you all about it!!! In the meantime, safe travels...

Apache-Sitgreaves is one of the most beautiful forests in Arizon. From Show Low area east to Alpine, just on NM border, has many lakes to fish from, some of forest is on Apache land including Sunrise Ski Resort.

The White Mtn Apache Indians have the best forest land in all of Arizona, more rainfall here than anywhere in AZ. Greer, Az is in this area just east of the ski resort, Greer was my favorite camping area from the 70's on I have camped here with its 3 lakes of great trout fishing. The town is a small commuity, with lodging and camping, restarants, bars and horse back riding. Greer lodge was a 100 plus year old lodge, where i had stayed several times, but 5-6 years ago it burned down, they have built new cabins, with fishing lake and Little Colorado River runs thru here with native and stocked truout, a beatiful place for a get away and even a Honeymoon, for those who are interest. Ther are lots of good paved and good gravel roads maitained around all of this Nat Forest Park.

Note: This year, 2017 is very dry and forest fires are in a very high danger state right now, so be carefull, no open campfires, no smoking cigs outside of your car or dwelling at the present, monsoons are about to start, 1st part of July, so this may change, watch for alerts, this is a very warm area in AZ this year, camp with caution, protect and respect our forests, it takes over 100 years to grow Ponderosa...

This is my favorite place to go camping. You can see wild horses, cows, skunks, squirrels, and deer. Probably not all of them every time but I have seen at least one of each on various trips. This is at or near Black Canyon Lake. The wild horses are typically at the lake or very close to it. The skunk was a bit of a surprise to say the least. The little guy was sneaking up to scope out our food. The cows are domesticated, they are tagged or marked that they belong to some farmer. The squirrels are sporadic. Always check the campfire status before you build one. Sometimes it is allowed but other times it is not. Many parts of this area are still regrowing from previous fire damage. As Smokey the Bear always says, "only you can prevent forest fires." Also, remember if you pack it in, pack it out. Don't trash our national forest. One more thing, if you have off road vehicles and toys don't go speeding around especially late at night. Remember people are camping and trying to sleep. Kids and sometimes family pets are wondering around. Also, it sure would hurt you and a cow should you crash...