East Verde River Cabin: Fishing, Hunting & Family Fun.
Guest rating: 4.7 / 5
Overview
This East Verde River Cabin is a rustic two-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom retreat in Whispering Pines, Arizona, about 10 miles northeast of Payson at 5,300 feet elevation. Set on a private half-acre lot in the pines, it sleeps up to 8 guests and blends a woodsy, secluded feel with modern conveniences. The cabin sits directly across the street from the East Verde River, putting fishing and river access at the doorstep.
Amenities & Comfort
The cabin features two fireplaces plus an outdoor fire pit, air conditioning and heating, a fully equipped kitchen with oven, stove and microwave, and laundry facilities with a washer. A large deck with a gazebo, an outdoor grill, and a fenced yard round out the outdoor living space. Free Wi-Fi, cable TV, free parking, and an ironing board add day-to-day practicality for extended stays.
Recreation & Activities
Guests have four nearby East Verde River access points with parking, restrooms, and picnic tables, including the popular Waterwheel spot roughly 1.9 miles away, ideal for trout and small-mouth bass fishing. The surrounding Tonto National Forest offers hiking, including the well-known Highline Trail, plus hunting opportunities for elk and turkey. In winter, the property's elevation supports snow sledding, and elk are known to visit the grounds year-round.
Family & Pet Amenities
The property is kid-friendly, with board games, toys, a children's playhouse, and swings on-site for entertaining younger guests. It is also pet-friendly, accommodating up to two dogs for an additional fee, with a fenced yard for supervised outdoor time.
Location & Surroundings
The cabin is about 10 miles from Payson for shopping, dining, and errands, and roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Phoenix by car. A cluster of restaurants and bars sits within a 13 to 26 kilometer range, including Crosswinds Restaurant, Denny's Restaurant, Buffalo Bar & Grill, Rim Country BBQ and Wood-Fired Pizza, and THAT Brewery & Pub, while Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is the nearest listed airport at about 93 kilometers away.
Best for
This cabin best suits families and small groups seeking an outdoor-focused mountain getaway, thanks to its river-front location, fenced yard, playhouse, and stocked board games. It's also well suited to anglers and hunters, given direct proximity to East Verde River fishing access and nearby Tonto National Forest hunting grounds. Pet owners traveling with up to two dogs will appreciate the pet-friendly policy and fenced outdoor space.
Travel tips
Plan on a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Phoenix, and note that the nearest airport, Flagstaff Pulliam, is still about 93 kilometers away, so a rental car is essential. Most restaurants and services are clustered 13 to 26 kilometers away in and around Payson, so it's worth stocking the kitchen for at least some meals. Because the property sits at 5,300 feet, pack layers for cool evenings and be prepared for possible snow and sledding conditions in winter.
What guests say
Guests consistently praise this cabin as an excellent fit for family stays, highlighting the fire pit, outdoor playset, and supply of board games and toys as standout features for children. Many reviewers describe the accommodations and setup as comfortable and memorable, with several noting plans to return. The main recurring concern involves child safety upstairs, where at least one guest encountered a malfunctioning baby gate that failed to properly secure the stairway, prompting them to improvise additional safety measures.
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