Located within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Overgaard is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Boasting cooler temperatures during the summer months than the desert cities of Arizona, it’s an ideal place for hiking, camping, and exploring year-round. Stay cool and check out these beautiful locations with interesting things to do in Overgaard, Arizona!
1. Go back in time through the Rock House Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Travel back to the 40s to 60s era of the Heber community through the Rock House Museum. It is open to the public for a variety of interactive exhibits and entertainment. Tour at your own pace and enjoy the audio background courtesy of the family that lived in the Rock House themselves. You will also learn about the old-time radio shows, Windy’s Theater, and other pre-TV entertainment information related to the town’s history.
Rock House Museum also happens to be the first public library in Heber; an old collection of books are housed in the property. Other unique exhibits that are showcased in the museum are a pop bottle capper and an original wringer washing machine.
Rock House Museum
Address: 1831 Black Canyon Road, Heber, AZ 85928
Website: Rock House Museum
2. Get outdoorsy at Tall Timbers County Park
Tall Timbers County Park is aptly named because of the abundance of towering timber trees in the area. Situated near Overgaard Food Center, it is an open space accessible to the general public and under the maintenance of the Heber-Overgaard Parks Department. The park offers a playground and outdoor recreation.
Folks gather here to experience the great Heber atmosphere and go biking in its trailed lawn and picnicking at the tables. Adventurous hikers also visit the park for a more strenuous hike.
Tall Timbers County Park
Address: Arizona 260, Heber-Overgaard, Arizona, 85929
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 7am - 9pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
3. Hike or pitch a tent at Rim Lakes Recreation Area
Posted by Kristina Cassandra Ayala-zobel on Thursday, 23 July 2015
Whether you’re a camping enthusiast or you’ve never spent the night under the stars, consider pitching a tent at Rim Lakes Recreation Area. Located in the heart of the Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests, it’s a gorgeous, heavily wooded landscape. It’s named “Rim Lakes” because it’s located on the Mongolian Rim, a steep cliff formation that extends thousands of feet through the forest and makes for stunning overlooks.
Experienced and beginner hikers alike are drawn to Rim Lakes because the park offers several basic trails less than three miles (4.82 km) in length. One of the main draws of the hiking trails, aside from the views of the Mongolian Rim, are the beautiful wildflowers that spring up along the trail. Be sure to bring a camera — you won’t want to forget the beautiful bouquets.
With 148 campsites, the Aspen Campground within the Rim Lakes Recreation Area is the largest and most popular camping destination. Campsites start at 22.00 USD per night, and campsites with electric are available, but it’s rustic — no showers!
Rim Lakes Recreation Area
Address: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Black Mesa Ranger District, Heber-Overgaard, AZ 85933
Price: from 22 USD
Opening Hours: Camping season is open April-October.
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Access: 30 minute drive to Herber from Overgaard.
Contact: +1 928 5357300
Near by Food: Al & Diane’s Red Onion Lounge
Website: Aspen Campground
4. Stargaze at Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Call ahead to the Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory and book a reservation to see the stars! The observatory offers a 36-inch (91.44 cm) computerized telescope, and your reservation will include four hours to use the telescope and a guide who will explain the constellations you’re viewing through the telescope. The observatory accommodates groups of up to six.
Located in a remote part of the forest, Arizona’s clear skies will beckon you to take a closer look at the stars. Visitors praise the guides for their knowledge of the skies and guidance to provide the best possible experience.
If you’d like to extend your stay, you can even tent camp at the site and continue stargazing all night long! Although the campsites are rustic, there are restrooms and shower houses offered on the property.
Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory
Address: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Overgaard, AZ 85933
Opening Hours: Open by appointment only.
Access: Twenty minute drive from Overgaard.
Contact: +1 480 2219738
Near by Food: Aliberto’s Mexican Restaurant.
Website: Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory
5. Relax and enjoy the outdoors at Bison Ranch
Storm clouds over Bison Ranch #Bisonranchretreatcenter #storms #overgaard #bisonranch
Posted by Bison Ranch Retreat Center on Friday, 26 September 2014
Bison Ranch is a retreat center and lodge that’s tucked away in Overgaard. If you’re looking for a place to stay, look no further. At Bison Ranch, you’ll be able to enjoy hot, homemade meals, and the staff is known to be extremely accommodating of any allergies or dietary restrictions you may have.
It’s not just a place to stay — take a horseback ride at Ramey Ranch (located just down the street from Bison Ranch), play basketball, volleyball, or soccer in the outdoor facilities, or relax in the indoor game room and enjoy a game of pool, ping pong, or air hockey.
Bison Ranch Retreat Center
Address: 2351 Bison Ranch Rd, Overgaard, Arizona
Price: from 100 USD
Access: Accessible by car. Located within Overgaard.
Contact: +1 480 3897779
6. Try your hand at trout fishing
Overgaard boasts some impressive trout fishing locations including Black Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake.
Black Canyon Lake, located in Heber, is a popular 78-acre (31.5 hectare) trout fishing lake. Don’t be surprised if you see wild horses on the way to the lake from Overgaard. Limited to day use only, you’ll be able to walk the heavily forested bank of the lake to cast out a line, or take out a small canoe or john boat if you’d like to fish the deeper waters. It’s open to day use only, and is usually closed from December to April. Rainbow trout are the most common catch, but you might also find bass and bluegill.
Willow Springs Lake is located on the edge of the Mongolian Rim, and features the same lush forest landscape as Black Canyon Lake. The lake is at an elevation of 7,500 feet (2,286 m), so temperatures tend to be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 C). Located 22 miles (35.4 km) west of Heber, you’ll just take US 260 from Overgaard until you reach the conservation area. Fishing at Willow Springs Lake will probably earn you some rainbow trout, but it’s also popular with bass fishermen. The lake is open year-round during daylight hours, and a nearby campground, Sinkhole Campground, also offers year-round accommodations.
Black Canyon Lake
Address: Black Canyon Lake, Heber, Arizona 85928
Price: free
Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm. Closed from December to April.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Access: Accessible by a 20-minute drive from Overgaard to Heber.
Contact: +1 928 5359859
Near by Food: Wasatch Back Grill & Deli
Website: Black Canyon Lake
7. Stay for a while at All Seasons Lodge
Posted by All Seasons Lodge and Ranch on Wednesday, 11 June 2014
All Seasons Lodge is a hotel and wedding venue located right in Overgaard, Arizona. With picture-perfect landscaping and a rustic decor, you’ll feel at home as soon as you pull in. In front of the lodge, a fountain bubbles up in the middle of a lazy lake. Built for relaxation, the lodge is surrounded by decks featuring fire pits and cozy chairs to curl up in. Cuddle up in front of a wood fireplace, visit the horses in the barn, or take a walk around the property and greet the friendly wildlife — All Seasons Lodge is a luxury experience that will keep you in tune with nature.
Ideal for large groups, a family get together, or wedding parties, the lodge can accommodate up to twelve people. You’ll be able to cook your own meals in a full-size kitchen or borrow bikes to explore the area. Though the rate for the lodge is 895 USD for a two-night stay (the minimum stay offered), you’ll understand why it’s such a popular lodging choice while exploring the beautifully manicured grounds.
All Seasons Lodge
Address: 2684 Lodge Loop, Overgaard, AZ 85933
Price: from 895 USD
Access: Accessible by driving. Located within Overgaard.
Contact: +1 480 4354222
The stars shine brightly in Overgaard
Underneath the Arizona nighttime sky, Overgaard offers incredible views of the constellations. Explore the area with a hike, fry up some freshly caught trout, or take a bike ride through the city. The town is a beautiful place to explore, and you’ll want to stay for a while.
Should you wish to shortly extend the getaway, the nearby towns provide awesome day trips from Overgaard.
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