Pieper Spring, Payson, Arizona

## Overview Pieper Spring is a natural spring located near Payson, Arizona, in Gila County, flowing off exposed rock faces and feeding into the East Verde River. Unlike many public drinking springs, this spring does not have a spout or pipe — the water emerges directly from the rock and cascades down the slope. The spring sits within a historically significant area near the site of the old Washington Park fish hatchery, where rusted tools, former holding ponds, and remnants of timeworn metal infrastructure can still be found among the meadow grasses. The surrounding landscape bears visible scars from the devastating 1990 Dude Fire, one of Arizona's deadliest wildfires, which burned through the Tonto National Forest and claimed the lives of six firefighters. Blackened logs remain among the fir trees and ponderosa pines as a stark reminder of the fire's fury. Despite this, the forest has rebounded beautifully — dense raspberry bushes bloom with sweet white blossoms, Gambel oaks line the trail, and the meadow near the old hatchery is decorated with maple and apple trees. The former holding ponds are now lush with greenery and adorned with tiny fan-blade-shaped vinca plants bearing periwinkle-colored blooms. The spring water has been described as cold and refreshing, though visitors have noted the immediate area around the spring is not particularly clean. Historically, the spring and surrounding waterways supported the fish hatchery operations, suggesting the water has long been valued as a natural resource. As with any wild spring, the water has not been officially tested or certified for drinking — visitors should use their own discretion. ## Directions The spring is accessed via the Washington Park Trailhead, located off forest roads north of Payson. The hike to the spring is approximately three-quarters of a mile. **Driving Directions from Payson, AZ:** 1. From Payson, head **north** on the **Beeline Highway (AZ-87 South)** to **East Frontier Street**. 2. Turn **right** onto **Houston Mesa Road / NF-199**. Continue following Houston Mesa Road. 3. Turn **right** onto **Control Road / NF-64**. 4. Turn **slightly left** onto **NF-191** (portions unpaved). 5. Turn **right** and continue on **NF-199** (portions unpaved). 6. Turn **right** onto **NF-32** (portions unpaved). 7. End at the **Washington Park Trailhead** parking area. **Trail Directions from the Parking Lot:** 1. From the parking lot, head **north** on a gentle slope for approximately 70 yards to a river crossing. The crossing is about a dozen feet wide and roughly 10 inches deep. Stepping stones and monkey flowers mark a shallow pool that typically allows a dry crossing. 2. Shortly after crossing, you'll reach the **Highline Trail**. Turn **left** onto an old, overgrown logging route that runs parallel to the river. 3. Walk approximately 150 yards up the road among fir trees and ponderosa pines. You'll notice visible scars from the 1990 Dude Fire — blackened logs and charred remnants among the recovering forest. 4. Continue along the road. Dense raspberry bushes and Gambel oaks line the way as the trail gains a gentle slope. Expect downed trees blocking the path — bushwhacking to the left can help avoid the worst logjams, though experienced hikers may enjoy climbing over the logs. 5. After about 100 yards of careful navigation through the tangled logs, the path clears and you'll begin to see the first **rusted tools from the old fish hatchery** in the grass. 6. Continue another 200 yards of easy walking to reach the **hatchery meadow**, identifiable by remnants of old pipes and timeworn metal. Maple and apple trees dot the meadow, and the former holding ponds are now green and overgrown with vinca plants. 7. The spring's source is only about **100 feet** beyond the meadow stream. To reach it, climb through a raspberry thicket up the slope. The spring area is surrounded by a dense stand of cut-leaf coneflowers, and water flows visibly down the slope from the rock faces. ## What to Expect Pieper Spring is a rewarding destination for hikers who enjoy combining natural beauty with a touch of Arizona history. The three-quarter-mile trail from the Washington Park Trailhead is relatively easy but does include a river crossing and sections with significant downed timber that require some scrambling or bushwhacking. The spring itself flows directly off rock faces — there is no pipe, spout, or collection basin. The water is notably cold and feeds into the East Verde River system. Visitors have reported that the immediate area around the spring is not especially clean, so be prepared accordingly. The surrounding forest is a fascinating mix of fire recovery and lush regrowth. The remnants of the old fish hatchery — rusted tools, old pipes, overgrown holding ponds — add an element of historical exploration to the hike. Wildflowers, raspberry bushes, and periwinkle-blooming vincas make the meadow area particularly scenic during the warmer months. **Tips for visitors:** - The forest roads leading to the trailhead (NF-191, NF-199, NF-32) are partially unpaved. A vehicle with decent clearance is recommended, especially after rain. - The river crossing near the trailhead is shallow but may be deeper during spring snowmelt or after heavy rains. - Wear sturdy footwear — the trail includes uneven terrain, downed logs, and a climb through raspberry thickets near the spring. - There are no posted hours or fees for accessing the spring area.