Cabin

Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson.

Beachfront cabin with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson.

Exterior
Miscellaneous
Room
Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and all upgraded appliances.
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6195.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Mogollon Rim
  • Place, Mazatzal Casino
  • Place, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Basement bedroom

2 Single Beds and 1 Single Bunk Bed

King Bedroom

1 King Bed

Queen bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson.

This is the place! This home is a hidden gem located 15 miles NE of Payson just under the Mogollon Rim. This place is unique as it is tucked away up in the pines just under the Mogollon Rim. You may feel as you are headed in the wrong direction while driving deep into the forest. As you pull up and open your car door, you will hear the whisper of the cool pines and the sound of the babbling creek that runs through the back yard. It is 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. You can just relax and enjoy the creek or venture out to the nearby hiking trails where you will walk alongside streams. This is a very charming Country French three level home, perfect for families and friends. Note: We do not allow pets of any kind, no ESA animals. Many homes in our area allow pets. Choose another property for your needs.

THINGS TO KNOW:
This is a cabin in the woods away from the city. RARE but: Neighborhood power outages can happen. Neighborhood water outages can happen. This is out of our control. Please be patient as we are far and repair can take some time. Usually 2-4 hours, sometimes longer.

Abundance of amenities:
• Central air conditioning and heat (not usual in the woods)
• King bed, Queen bed, Queen sofa bed, Twin bunk bed and trundle beds. (Sleeps 6 comfortably. NOTE: We are only permitted for a max of 6 guests)
• Large full kitchen with island
• Chefs dream kitchen with all the cooking supplies you need
• Spices/condiments/oils
• Coffee maker/Keurig and pot. Coffee as well
• Barbecue with inline propane
• Propane outdoor heater
• Fire-pit and fire wood
• Paper towels and napkins
• Dining room for six
• Outdoor dining table
• Two large outdoor decks
• Family room
• Fireplace
• Four televisions with direct TV and streaming apps
• Internet/WIFI
• Xbox – bring favorite games
• Laundry room with washer/dryer and soap
• Two upper level private bedrooms
• Upper level deck off of master bedroom
• Two full size bathrooms; one with a tub
• Towels, linens, toilet paper and soap supplied
• Many pillows and blankets
• Amazon Alexa
• Surround sound system for music throughout the home
• Front yard speakers with music keypad for listening enjoyment
• Ping Pong table
• Pool table
• Corn-hole
• Electronic dart board
• Badminton net, racquets and birdies
• Gated front yard
• Games, puzzles, cards
• Books for all ages
• Fishing gear
• Sleds
• Welcome book with nearby activity guide
• Major hiking trails within a mile
• Nearest services 15 miles away so bring groceries

Gila County permit # STR-2509-0058

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 26
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Waterfront, lots of stairs, not baby proofed.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking inside or outside.
No third party reservations. You must stay if you reserve. No smoking No pets. No ESAs No parties No guns or shooting No water balloons
May not be suitable for small children. No changing tables or small child accommodations. Waterfront.
No large luggage. Please pack light w/ duffle bags. Stairs are steep to the bedrooms and larger luggage is damaging to the stairs and hard to carry.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Payson

Located in Payson, this cabin is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Tonto National Forest, while Myra's Art Gallery and Rim Country Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Payson, AZ

What's nearby

  • Mazatzal Casino - 39 min drive - 29.2 km
  • Green Valley Park - 40 min drive - 28.8 km
  • Payson Golf Course - 42 min drive - 30.0 km
  • Pine-Strawberry Museum - 50 min drive - 29.6 km
  • Tonto Natural Bridge State Park - 53 min drive - 43.0 km

Getting around

  • Phoenix, AZ (DVT-Phoenix Deer Valley) - 148 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Riverfront Retreat. Year-round river in North Payson. located?

This Payson cabin is on the beach, 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Tonto National Forest, and within 20 mi (32 km) of Payson Golf Course and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Green Valley Park and Myra's Art Gallery are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 89 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 89 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 89 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Justin G.

Everything was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Everything was as expected, great stay and helpful host!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic creek side property

Wonderful creek side property with many amenities! The home was beautiful and clean with many amenities, games and very thoughtful touches by the hosts to make the most of your stay.The location is perfectly located on the creek with deep pools and the relaxing sounds. The lawn area in front was perfect for outdoor games in the woods with the kids and the property is a very short distance from amazing hiking (including sections of the AZ Trail).Great escape less than 2 hours from the valley
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Second Visit

You just cannot beat this property and the care and representation of the owners. This is my second stay there and everything you would need is available for a relaxing stay. The property and house is even better in person than in the pictures. I highly recommend the property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S., Phoenix, AZ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacay

This is the third time we’ve stayed here and always have a wonderful unplugging weekend to enjoy all that nature has to offer. The creek is amazing and so peaceful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard H., Surprise, AZ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful getaway

Great getaway place as advertised Quite and relaxing Everything we needed was here. Will be back
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mandy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful long weekend!

Thanks for a grat stay cation! <3
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ken W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Setting is near perfect

Just spent a couple nights at the Riverfront property. The trees, river and home made it a very relaxing trip. Had everything we needed and the WIFI wasn't as bad as we had expected. Thanks Alissa for allowing us to visit!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

Debbie K., Chandler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great birthday getaway

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful waterfront property in Payson, AZ. Their hospitality was top notch; from the owner’s responsiveness and openness to our questions, to the plethora of amenities, we’d not experienced anywhere else. We were even greeted every morning by a number of squirrels and blue jays. We highly recommend this premier property to anyone wanting to get away, yet still have all the comforts of home.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Richard E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Riverside Retreat

This property is amazing! Beautiful house, beautiful scenery. We had a very enjoyable and relaxing week. The only downside is something that couldn’t be helped- either the extreme fire danger, access to the National Forest was closed so no hiking etc. But we still had a great week. The house has games, pool table, ping pong table, a ton of movies, music, etc. we will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

LaRae B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River retreat

We had the most relaxing getaway, lots of quality family time! The sound of the river flowing while lounging in the hammock, was my favorite. Plus all the outdoor activities they have available...family had so much fun bonding and laughing together. Volleyball, ping pong, corn hole etc. WiFi worked really well for us. Alissa and Russ are wonderful, so kind, and so quick to answer any questions we had. We look forward to staying here again during winter time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALISSA!! The Balak Family
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Dan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway!

The house was perfect with everything you could imagine or need. My wife loved sitting by the creek listening to the water. The house was perfect with the most beautiful back yard leading to the creek/river. We hiked Railroad Tunnel which was very close but a tough hike. We also did Water Wheel all the way to the falls which was also quite the hike but worth it. We were close to nature with wonderful hikes all while feeling we were living in luxury at our rental home. It was an easy 2 hour drive from our house in Phoenix to the rental house north of Payson. The owners were true professionals to work with. They made everything easy. Can’t wait till our next trip there.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Troy B., Palm Springs, California

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little slice of Heaven... :)

If you're looking for a location that is quiet and remote, this is it. (but don't think you're going to make a quick trip to the market for some groceries... LOL) The Owners were great and responsive; very accommodating and I appreciate that. I also appreciated that the home (and kitchen) was well-stocked. The flowing water was refreshing and as a very picky person, I found the home to be immaculate (especially during these times). The only 'disappointment' (if you could call it that) was having no master bath and having to share a bath on the second floor with the guest room. But we made it work and I would most definitely stay here again. :)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Candy Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

STUNNING!

From the moment you pull up, it’s beautiful! The huge well-groomed grassy front yard was such a treat to play games on. The home itself is aesthetically beautiful, very clean and decorated with charm. As soon as you walk onto the deck, you are greeted with the sound of a rushing creek. The deck has been well maintained and soft enough to be barefoot. Massive trees surround the deck that shade it perfectly for cooler weather durning the summer, plus this home has A/C. We enjoyed three nights grilling every meal, and enjoying the view. This home has a well stocked kitchen. Added bonus was their T.V room, with surround sound and 300 movies perfectly organized. I was so impressed the movies are already in a disk player, numbered in a book for easy retrieval. Another treat was the garage, it was fully stocked with outdoor games, ping pong and well organized. This cabin is a gem! And I can’t wait to come back! Thank you for having us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Thomas F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Overall good place, but...

It COULD be five stars. The place is very dark inside. It is in a beautiful setting, but so is everyone else close by all around it. Quiet, to be sure, but not isolated for being so far out. Pretty bad road into the place. Having to haul away trash is a bit much when paying so much in the first place. The fire station does not take the trash, any season. Would have been nice to be able to use the garage, but that was already taken by a ping pong table. Driveway too narrow to easily deal with two cars. Well equipped kitchen. Nice to have washer and dryer. Plenty of hot water. King bed too soft for our liking. Good to have fresh air from windows and doors. Quick replies from Alissa. Nice picnic places by the creek. Too many remote controls. Good location for our hikes. Could be five stars.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heather A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wow! This property and home was outstanding. We enjoyed all of the wildlife and views of the river right from the back deck. We loved how peaceful the neighborhood was. We also enjoyed playing pool, darts, and ping pong. This house has everything you could ever need and more. Host was wonderful as well. We will definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gregory P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful property in a great location. Great time communing with nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jose B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring Break Getaway

Perfectly located away from any major town. The house was exactly as advertised. Very quiet neighbors that made it feel like we were alone in the woods. Didn't get to play in the river since the banks were all covered in snow but we don't regret it one bit. Picturesque! Got the kids off the electronics and hiked the local trails. They loved it. Look forward to returning in the summer!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cal D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway to the Woods

This home was the perfect getaway cabin in the woods for our family of five to escape the hustle and bustle of the Valley for a few days over spring break. Conveniently located less than two hours away and yet it feels like you are way out in the woods. Bonus that it's right next to the East Verde river which I'm told runs year round. Not a lot of water while we were there and too cold to swim anyway, but being able to open the windows and hear the water running just added to the relaxing atmosphere. This was one of the cleanest rental homes we have ever stayed in. No bugs or cobwebs. The kitchen was also very well equipped with spices, oils, utensils and all the cookware you could possibly need. The stone fireplace in the living room was cozy and provided the perfect ambiance. We had rain one day and were stuck inside so the pool table downstairs and ping pong table in the garage were awesome and helped keep us from getting bored while we waited out the rain. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this home and we'll certainly be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Evelyn E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolute Perfection!

This is hands down the best vacation rental our family has ever had and we can not wait to return! This property is truly a home and the love, care and attention to detail put into the property are apparent the moment you walk in. The property itself is in a dreamy location, right on the river, with squirrels and Stellar Jays making the backyard home. We had such relaxing mornings feeding the Jays peanuts, that the host provided, right on the deck while enjoying our morning coffee before heading off to explore the area. Washington Park Trailhead with the Railroad Tunnel and the Water Wheel Trail are within a few minutes of the home and the Tonto Natural Bridge and Woods Canyon Lake were within a 45 minute drive. This home is the most well appointed rental and the host provides so many more amenities and touches than any other rental we have ever had. Our family enjoyed the ping pong and pool tables, the dart board and several evenings of playing catch with the equipment provided. The kitchen is also stocked with all those little touches that are easily forgotten when renting a home like paper goods, storage bags, napkins, spices, cooking oils, coffee and filters and even chocolate! Yum! Truly, we felt like we were welcomed into the host's home instead of feeling like short term renters. You can't go wrong with this house!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience

Had a lovely time with my family. Home is right on the river and it was so peaceful listening to the rushing water. Hummingbirds, blue jays, squirrels… you feel right in the forest with the luxurious amenities with this home. I’ve rented several homes from VRBO and this home by far has been the cleanest, well stocked, and most comfortable I’ve visited. Owners were very responsive and accommodating. We drove a couple miles away and my whole family caught HUGE trouts. We had a blast. Wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Beautiful Place

I am certain that my comments will have been mirrored by everyone who has ever had the pleasure of staying at this house. The picture tells the truth and what you see is what you get. I have stayed at numerous VRBO locations and this one tops the cake, not only for the beauty of the entire house and grounds, but it's also furnished, decorated (Thank you Allison!) wonderfully and complimented with every amenity you would need for your stay especially the kitchen. Returning for another stay is a forgone conclusion- we will. Thank you host!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jocelyn D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean, fun and beautiful

Fantastic cabin! Every summer our family rents a cabin in Payson, this cabin has been the cleanest and well stocked place yet!! Kids were entertained the entire time with all the games and movies provided. Kitchen and bathrooms had everything you need and more! We all enjoyed feeding the blue jays and squirrels every morning. Truly a relaxing, stress free time at this beautiful cabin!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Svilen N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Phenomenal location

Phenomenal location, very relaxing!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend work retreat - amazing property!

4 of us stayed for a work retreat this past weekend for 3 nights. The house was perfect! The kitchen had everything we needed for cooking. My daughter and I explored nearby trails and we all spent a lot of time on the back patio and near the river. This is truly a special place and we hope to be back. The host was very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

About the host

Hosted by Alissa

Host profile image
My husband and I are both Arizona natives. I am a nurse practitioner in Scottsdale. We have two grown kids and hope to have grandkids someday. We love all of Arizona and spend most of our free time here in the mountains. It is a nice change from the valley and only 1.5 hours from our home with a very different climate and relaxing atmosphere.

Why they chose this property

We love this area. It is remote and seldom traveled by many. We have been coming up here for many years with our kids and knew we had to buy a home here. We would love to share this experience with others so they too can build lasting memories. Keep in mind this is not a log cabin. Not rustic, but very nice and well maintained.

What makes this property unique

You will enjoy that this home has central air conditioning and heat for the warm Summers and cold Winters. This home is fairly new compared to the rustic homes in the area and has all the upgrades. This charming three level home has two newer outdoor decks that overlook the creek. You will enjoy sitting out back and relaxing, while watching the kids play in the water. The home is surrounded by trees so it feels much cooler than the 20 degree difference from the Phoenix metro area.

Languages:

English

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