Greer and the White Mountains: Arizona's Mountain Escape

The White Mountains of east-central Arizona rise to elevations above 11,000 feet and support ecosystems — ponderosa pine forests, alpine meadows, trout streams, and elk habitat — that have no equivalent in the Phoenix basin. The town of Greer, at 8,500 feet in Apache County, is the best base for exploring the region. The drive from Phoenix takes approximately three and a half hours via U.S. Route 60 through Globe and the Salt River Canyon, which is itself a significant scenic experience. The Little Colorado River's east fork runs through Greer, supporting brown and rainbow trout fishing that Arizona Game and Fish stocks regularly through the winter months. The streamside meadows produce consistent wildlife encounters including elk, deer, and occasionally black bear. Sunrise Park Resort, eighteen miles north of Greer, operates as the state's major ski area during winter months and as a mountain biking and hiking destination through summer. For accommodation: Greer Lodge and several small cabin rental operations provide the right base for a two-night trip. July and August bring monsoon afternoon thunderstorms that clear by evening.