Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin — Attraction in Payson

The Rim Country Museum maintains this replica of the Zane Grey cabin originally located some miles from this location. For whatever reason, no interior photos of the replica cabin are permitted. Unfortunate. I wouldn't make a special trip to see this one-room building, but if you're in the area it's worth your time (and the cost of admission - it's not free). The story here is about not only Zane Grey, famous American Dentist-from-Ohio & Western Novelist (1872-1939) but also a second story about the man who built this replica after he renovated the original only to have it burn to the ground in 1990 - William Goettl. The museum staff does a great job recounting the life and times of both Grey and Goettl, offering a fairly detailed story of Grey's personality, writings, life style and more. Especially noteworthy was the story about how Grey took a film crew to the cabin at great expense, wanted to go on a bear hunt, found out that the season had ended, requested a special bear hunting permit, was denied, then left Arizona very angry and feeling betrayed,...

This is one of the best small town museums I've had the pleasure of stepping into. Two tours are offered: one guided tour through a replica of Zane Gray's cabin that takes about 20-30 minutes, the other is a self-guided tour through the second story museum.

A ticket for both tours together costs 10 dollars. Each by itself costs 5 dollars. There are senior citizen and first responder(?) discounts.

The docent volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate.

The museum exhibits are easy to read and digest, the displays and artifacts themselves are fantastic, and there is more packed in here than you would expect at first glance. Even someone without a passion for history will walk out of this place satisfied.

The gift shop has a great selection of gifts, apparal, and many local and regional books.

I will definitely be back, and recommend this as a great place to...

Wonderful and much better than I thought it would be! It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it took me about 2 and a half hours to go through (including the walking tour). So much to see. On the outside, there's a few old buildings, i.e. firehouse, cabin, and tower, and some even have buttons you can click on to listen. There's also a brochure you can use as well while you walk through the outside; check outside the museum. Inside the museum, so much to see. Lots of fun exhibits, i.e. mine replica, and upstairs too i.e. bootlegger place replica. Lots of signs to read as well. The docent working there was super helpful. Lastly, the walking tour of the Zane Cabin was awesome. For just an extra $5, you can see the Zane cabin main room and kitchen, and learn more about his history. Check out their gift shop too- lot...