Guide to Visiting and Hiking This Hidden Gem in Arizona
One of my favorite day trips to take is to visit the must-see geological wonder that is Tonto Natural Bridge. I was shocked when I heard about this beauty for the first time a couple years ago considering I’d lived in Arizona my whole life. The park is located in Pine, Arizona near the town of Strawberry. Both areas are so cute to explore, but I’ll provide some of my favorite spots that make this such a fun and easy day trip.
Visiting
When traveling down State Route 87, you’ll go about 10 miles north of Payson before reaching Pine. From there, the park is clearly marked with roadside signs when you’re getting close. The park opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm with admission closing at 4 pm. Once you begin driving into the park, prepare to lose all cell service! There is a $7 entrance fee that is paid at the gate or ranger station inside the gift shop. I recommend grabbing a map so you can locate all the trails and viewpoints, as well as read about the park and nearby parks it has listed. Inside the gift shop there is also other (free) pamphlets that offer more information on the history and geology of the bridge, and even some about all the Arizona state parks! (I really love informational guides, especially when theres no service).
Throughout the park there are ramadas, grills, picnic areas, and bathrooms so you could stay all day if you wanted to! There are also paved walking paths, so everyone can enjoy the park even without hiking. You can bring dogs, but they are only allowed on paved paths so keep that in mind if you wanted to explore the park deeper.
Hiking
There are 4 different hiking trails, all pretty short in distance, but strenuous due to steepness and conditions. I’d definitely recommend wearing hiking boots as the rocks under the bridge are especially slippery, and theres a few areas throughout the trails where you have to cross water. Most of the trails connect to each other at some point, with the exception of the Waterfall Trail.
The Waterfall Trail is basically a super steep 300 foot staircase that descends to the Waterfall Cave. You can’t actually go in the cave, but you’ll be led into a splash zone with gorgeous views. The 10-15 minute trail will get your heart rate up and is well worth it!
The Gowan Trail will lead you directly under the natural bridge. It takes you down to an observation deck just before the bridge where you can have a seat, get some great photos, and take in the beauty. You can either turn back here and avoid the more challenging part of the hike, or continue under the bridge where you’ll climb through some slippery terrain. If you’re capable, definitely don’t skip this part. In my opinion this is where you’ll find the most amazing views (pictures seriously do not do it justice).
There is a junction where the Gowan Trail meets the Anna Mae Trail as well as the Pine Creek Trail. The Anna Mae Trail is rather short and probably the easiest of the four, acting as an easy entrance/exit to the base of the bridge. The Pine Creek Trail is the longest of the four at a whopping 0.5 mile, and takes you through Pine Creek and the natural areas of the park. This trail is where you’ll be able to spot the most wildlife and really explore the undeveloped beauty that surrounds the bridge.
If you were to enter either the Gowan or Pine Creek Trail and exit at the other, you would basically hike across all the accessible areas of the park. The first time I was there, I did this, along with the other two and some lallygagging under the bridge I ended up spending the entire day there! Definitely bring water and snacks with you because the up-and-down hiking can cause more hunger and dehydration than you’d expect from such short trails. But of course, pack out what you pack in!
Exploring Pine and Strawberry
Pine and Strawberry have the cutest small town charm, accompanied by some amazing food and beverages. After a nice morning exploring Tonto Natural Bridge, it’s absolutely necessary to grab lunch! Two of my favorite places to stop are Old County Inn and THAT Brewery. Old County Inn has some of the best pizza I’ve ever had, and a wide selection of craft beer! THAT Brewery is an experience on its own when you sit inside the brewery-facing bar to enjoy some appetizers and sandwiches, along with their craft beer while getting a peek at the process of crafting it!
If you happen to go on a weekend, you can expect to see the street that takes you through Pine and Strawberry to become an event loved by locals. Park your car and take a walk through the shops. Enjoy the farmers market, which is located inside an old house turned store with a huge selection of fresh fruits and veggies, homemade gifts, and a variety of quirky goods (I took home a delicious jar of homemade spicy pickles). Stop by The Rusty Pine Cone and check out the store, food and ice cream truck out front, or even rent an electric bike to access some gorgeous nearby views.
Although both Pine and Strawberry are pretty small, there’s plenty to do and see to make an awesome trip out of. Strawberry also has quite a few lodging options that consist of some of the cutest cabins and cottages I’ve ever seen if you decide to extend your visit!
