Newly renovated Creekside Cabins, Tavern and Tours is now taking spring and summer reservations. Nestled below the majestic Mogollon Rim and just a short walk from the banks of the spring-fed Christopher Creek, the cabins offer a rustic coziness set amid the beauty of the Ponderosa pines.
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“We like to think of ourselves as the best kept secret in Payson because there’s really nothing like Creekside anywhere else in the area,” said Creekside Co-Owner Jeremy Stensland. “Our majestic property, combined with temperatures that are 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix during peak summer months, make us a must-see destination.”
There are several themed Creekside log cabins that include the Bird’s Nest, Bear’s Den, Hunter’s Blind and Enchanted Forest, just to name a few. Each one is spacious enough to sleep 6 people comfortably, includes a full bathroom and comes equipped with a flat screen, DirectTV, Keurig coffee maker, microwave, small refrigerator and a kitchen table. For those looking for a large family getaway under one roof, Creekside also offers larger units with full kitchens.
“Our pet-friendly cabins provide all the comfort of home while feeling a world away from the desert,” said Creekside Co-Owner James Haviland. “When guests aren’t spending time in their log cabins or venturing out on one of the many hiking trails, they’re at our on-site tavern eating, drinking and relaxing.”
The Creekside Tavern has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, a full bar and offers live entertainment for guests every weekend. Popular dishes include Slow-Cooked Baby Back Ribs, Craft Burgers, Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon and Seasoned Grilled Salmon, while signature craft cocktails include Duck & Cover, Mogollon Margarita, Creekside Bee’s Knees and the Knockout. Most weekends guests can follow the smell and smoke of delicious BBQ meats cooking up on Creekside’s 2,500 square foot patio in the pines.
New to the property are Jeep tours where guests can explore the Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and take in all that Arizona rim country has to offer including beautiful forest lakes, dazzling views, meandering creeks and local wildlife. The tours start around 5,800 feet elevation in Christopher Creek and can go as high as 7,500 feet on the Mogollon Rim tour.
“This area was made famous by author Zane Grey who wrote about the mystical wild Tonto Country,” said Creekside Co-Owner Tami Stensland. “Christopher Creek is brimming with natural beauty and is truly a destination for people who want to hear the wind in the forest, the rushing water of the pristine creek tumbling over small falls or the bugle of a Rocky Mountain Elk.”
With one-of-a-kind scenery and a demand for outdoor weddings, Creekside is now offering affordable wedding packages for couples and parties up to 150 people. Creekside’s newly built wedding venue boasts amazing views of the Mogollon Rim and Tonto National Forest with summer being the best time to book.
“It’s easy to entertain wedding parties at Creekside because we’re just minutes from stream fishing, Rim and White Mountain area lakes, hiking trails, horseback riding and mountain biking,” said Creekside Co-Owner Jena Haviland. “We’ve had incredible feedback from our recent weddings and are excited to see what the future holds.”
Creekside Cabins, Tavern and Tours is located in the village of Christopher Creek, just 22 miles east of Payson and 10 miles west of Woods Canyon Lake. For more information, visit https://cabinsatcreekside.com/.
