10+ Epic Things to Do in Pinetop, AZ
Pinetop, Arizona is a small town (population 4,000) in the White Mountains of Arizona. It’s at 7,000 ft elevation- much higher than Denver even! It’s the perfect foresty, mountain getaway from Phoenix anytime of year. Wanting to head up for the weekend? Let’s go over the best things to do in Pinetop, AZ.
PINETOP, ARIZONA IS LOCATED at 7,000 ft in the white mountains- even higher than denver.
WHY SHOULD I VISIT PINETOP, ARIZONA?
Pinetop, Arizona is a unique getaway. There’s many popular weekend getaways from Phoenix, like Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, etc that are amazing, but Pinetop is special. I would say it’s more quiet, calm, and homey. It’s a smaller town, so there’s less hustle and bustle and modern amenities than the previously mentioned areas, which is nice. You should go to Pinetop if you’re looking for a quiet, calm, nature-focused getaway. It’s perfect for older adults, families, and couples. So what is there to do? Let’s get into it!
When I Refer to “Pinetop,” I’m referring to the entire White Mountain region of Pinetop, Lakeside, Greer, and the nature around it.
THINGS TO DO IN PINETOP, AZ
1. VISIT A LOCAL COFFEE SHOP
My husband and I LOVE checking out cute, local coffee shops. They’re so homey and cozy. Every time we visit, we check out Cyclelogical Coffee- it’s our favorite. The decor is on point, the vibes are chill, and the drinks are BOMB. Last time, we checked out Pinetop Coffee House and also enjoyed it. We watched people walk up to the counter and order “their usual” which is just adorable. I love the wholesome small town vibes. Even if you don’t like coffee (like me)- these shops are fun to hang out in, and you can get non-coffee drinks too! See below for my recommendations of the best coffee shops near pinetop.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS
CYCLELOGICAL COFFEE: 2012 E White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85935– Open 6:15am-3pm M-F, 6:15am-4pm Sat-Sun **new location as of summer 2024
PINETOP COFFEE HOUSE: 1684 E White Mountain Blvd Suite 1, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85935- Open 6-3 M-F, 6-5 Sat-Sun
ARIZONA MOUNTAIN COFFEE CO: 1450 E White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85935- Open 6-4 M-Sat, Sun 7-2
YO SIPPITY: 19 E White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85929- Open 630-530 M-F, 7-5 Sat, 7-6 Sun
2. CHECK OUT SUNRISE SKI RESORT
Sunrise Ski Resort is located 35 minutes from Pinetop in the White Mountains. It is FULL of fun activities and perfect for families. This was my first time checking it out. I wasn’t able to do much because we had our pup with, but here’s some recommendations for activities if you are able.
You can also visit the area in winter to ski. Yes you can ski in Arizona. Sunrise is one of the three ski resorts in Arizona, along with Mt. Lemmon in Tucson and Snowbowl in Flagstaff.
SUNRISE SKI RESORT ACTIVITIES
SCENIC SKI LIFT: Ride the lift from 9,200′ to Sunrise peak, at 10,700′. 7 minute ride. $15 for youth, $19 for adults, Thursday-Sunday 9-4
ALPINE COASTER (NEW in SUMMER 2024): Super fun roller coaster ride through the trees. $19 per ride, $5 for a second rider. Buy 2, get 1 free.
ZIP LINE: Sunday-Thursday 9-4, $45-49 pp
DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE: Arizona’s Only Lift-Served downhill mountain biking. $42 day pass. Can rent bikes and gear as well
SKI: Rates released each season HERE.
OTHERS: Rock Climbing, Balloon Jump, Tube Slide, etc
3. WALK AROUND WOODLAND LAKE PARK
Woodland Lake Park is located in the heart of Pinetop. There’s a paved trail for walking, which I loved. You can also rent kayaks, play pickleball, baseball, and more. It has dreamy small town vibes- check it out!
4. HIKE THOMPSON TRAIL #629
The Thompson Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains and one of the best things to do in Pinetop in general, and for a good reason! You walk along the river and hear the sound of water rushing over the rocks, the wind whistling through the tall grass and the trees. August is the most LUSH AND GREEN, which makes it a good time of year to visit. This trail is <1 hour from Pinetop, which seems long, but it’s such a pretty drive that it goes fast! This is a can’t miss. Make a half-day out of it by also visiting Sunrise Ski Resort.
READ MORE ABOUT THOMPSON TRAIL
Want to know more about Thompson Trail? I wrote a detailed post HERE.
More Hikes in the White Moutnains
Government Springs, West Baldy Trail, East Baldy Trail, West Fork Colorado River, Sheep Crossing, and more!
5. EAT AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT
Obviously, when you visit a new place, you have to try out the local food. There’s so many fun places in Pinetop-Lakeside. I usually have my dog, so I opt for outdoor patio spaces or take out. On my first trip, we tried Pinetop Brewing Company. On our second trip, we got take out from Red Devil Pizza and went back to our hotel- honestly it was even more fun than being at the restaurant. They also have the Lion’s Den- a local restaurant that has concerts and live music. For breakfast, you have to try Darbi’s Cafe- it’s the BOMB. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. Eating yummy food is one of the best things to do in Pinetop.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS
PINETOP BREWING COMPANY: 159 W White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85929
LION’S DEN: 2408 E White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop, AZ 85935
RED DEVIL PIZZA: 1774 E White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85935
THE SPAGHETTI SHACK: 592 W White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85929
DARBI’S CAFE: 235 E White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop, AZ 85935
6. GO GOLFING
Golf is big in Arizona. When it’s too hot to golf in Scottsdale (probably the most popular city in the state to golf), people flock up north. There are multiple beautiful golf courses in the White Mountains. Consider playing a course!
GOLF COURSES IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
TORREON GOLF CLUB: 2732, 651 Torreon Loop- Show Low, AZ 85901
SILVER CREEK GOLF CLUB: 2051 Silver Lake Boulevard- Show Low, AZ 85901
BISON GOLF CLUB: 1 N Bison Preserve Drive- Show Low, AZ 85901
PINETOP COUNTRY CLUB: 6734 Country Club Drive- Pinetop, AZ 85935
PINETOP LAKES AND COUNTRY CLUB: 4643 Buck Springs Road- Pinetop, AZ 85935
WHITE MOUNTAIN COUNTRY CLUB: 3644 Country Club Circle- Pinetop, AZ 85935
7. CAMP NEAR ONE OF THE LAKES
One of the nice things about the Show Low, Pinetop, Lakeside, Greer area is a of the lakes nearby. I highly suggest camping near one of them. Enjoy sunsets at the lake, read a book, go fishing, paddle boarding, etc. Sitting by the lake is one of the best things to do in Pinetop.
White Mountain LAKES
Hawley Lake: Within 20 minutes of Pinetop-Lakeside, can be crowded, but beautiful
Fools Hollow Lake State Park: In Show Low, has amenities, close to town
Big Lake: 45 minutes from Pinetop, close to Thompson Trail, popular fishing area, multiple campgrounds
Reservation Lake: 1.5 hours from Pinetop, past Thompson Trail, remote area, requires White Mountain Tribe Camping Permit (grab it at Sportman’s Warehouse in Show Low).
NEED SOMEWHERE TO CAMP??
I’ve created a FORTY PAGE GUIDE outlining all the best free and paid campsites in Northern Arizona, like Pinetop-Lakeside.
It can be hard to spend hours researching campsites, trying to figure out were they’re located, what they look like, the price, and the amenities. With my guide, those days are over! I give you everything you need to know, with links to my Google Maps AND it’s in a PDF so you can access it any time!
8. CUT DOWN A CHRISTMAS TREE
You can also get away to the White Mountains in the winter. Last year (2022), my husband and I got Christmas Tree Permits (HERE) to cut down a tree. It was such a good memory. If you do it, get a truck.
9. Visit the Mogollon Rim
The Mogollon Rim crosses the state of Arizona (end of the Colorado Plateau), but my favorite place to see it is between Pinetop-Lakeside and Payson. This is a great stop (as quick or long as you want), on your way to Pinetop-Lakeside, or on your way home. You can stop for a bathroom break and see epic views like the photo above, or spend more time to visit a lake or go for a short hike.
10. Stay in a Local Hotel/ AirBNB
Whatever time of year you visit the Pinetop-Lakeside area, you can find numerous options of places to stay, if you are not camping. I love supporting both the local hotels, and airbnbs/cabins. Depends on how many people you are bringing, and how you want to spend your day. If you’re with 1 other payson and maybe a dog and you plan to make your meals outdoors or get food, do a local hotel. If you’re going for a holiday, or with a larger group, and want to cook meas, book a cabin!
Recommended Says
The Nook Pinetop: I love this cozy, dog-friendly hotel with an awesome outdoor space.
Corduroy Lodge: Cute hotel and airstream stays in a great location, my favorite cofffee shop is now right outside of it (Cycleogical Coffee), and other restaurants are walkable.
VRBO: A Frame Cabin in Pinetop-Lakeside
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT PINETOP-LAKESIDE
I hope you enjoyed learning fun things to do in Pinetop. Pinetop is a great year-round weekend trip from Phoenix. It’s fun, homey, and cozy. There’s so much to do, from hiking to fishing to camping to eating good food. You won’t regret it!
