Best Small Towns in Northern Arizona White Mountains 2025

[@dsgb]

Hi. I live in Scotland in the U.K. A friend lives in Phoenix and I have visited Arizona in 2020 and 2022 including Sedona, Jerome and Grand Canyon West. I love your content because it reminds me of all the beautiful places and diversity of towns and scenic countryside in the state. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@elainefarr3155]

We live in Cottonwood, between Jerome and Sedona. So glad you enjoyed it here!

[@leapinlizard9487]

@@elainefarr3155 I was born in Cottonwood 75 yrs. ago. My maternal grandfather was the only barber there for 40 yrs. His father brought him and his older brother from Yugoslavia to America when he was only 16 yrs. old. He was never able to bring the rest of the family to America. My grandfather tried his hand at mining in Jerome, but said it was tough and dirty work, so he went to barber college in Cleveland, Ohio and then returned to Cottonwood. He was a avid hunter and I remember a string of rabbits hanging on one of his fence lines when we would often come to visit him and my grandmother. He shot a black bear in 1949 same year I was born, it always hung on his barber shop wall. When he retired he gave me the bear rug, which I had for more many rears until I gave it to my younger brother. My father moved to Cottonwood from Arkansas when he was 21 yrs. old. He went to get a hair cut and said there was a cute girl shining shoes. He said she looked pretty young, but stayed around long enough to marry my mom when she turned 19. They were married over 60 yrs.

[@elainefarr3155]

@ that’s such wonderful memories! My stepdad owned a feed store here during that time, along with his bro-in-law Pat Patterson. I bet your Granddad knew them, it was such a small town back then. Tourism and Covid has brought a lot more people here the past 8-10 years, traffics worse. But I still love it here. I grew up on a ranch in Prescott, if you’ve ever been there

[@leapinlizard9487]

@@elainefarr3155 Yes, I have spent lots of time in Prescott, used to go over Mingus Mountain from Cottonwood into Prescott. My son and daughter went to summer camp along Senator Hwy. each year as they were growing up. My wife and I have contemplated move there since we have retired. One of my girl cousins was a nurse at the Veterans Hospital and retired from there. I have always been a cowboy at heart, wished I could have grown up on a ranch. The closest I got was raising calves for 4-H and FFA projects and managing a feedlot for 3 yrs, in Goodyear. Had to get a better paying job so I could actually buy and afford to feed my own horses. Spent 22 years in new product development for a major equine manufacturer.

[@lloydzufelt7514]

I used to fish in the 60s and 70s at East Fork at Buffalo Crossing, fantastic fishing

[@chrisreeves8037]

Nine months of winter and three months waiting for summer, so said my brothers family speaking of Eager. Cold wind and deep snow in the winter, they said. I recall visiting first week of June. The climate was magnificent with day temps of 85, and you had the companion of a nice breeze. It was a great place for "lazy-daisy-summer-days." I would lay my 12 yr old body down in the shady green grass and listen to the quake of the Aspen trees as the wind gust traveled through their branches above me. Next I got a surprise my first night. I was looking for blankets before dawn. They day temp was in the 80's, but the night time low fell to the upper 40's. Finally the crystal clear bubbly streams seemed everywhere in the region. True enough some do call it paradise.

[@kimjones217]

I lived in the White Mountains for 23 years and my favorite place is Alpine Az & Lakeside. I lived on Woodland Road for 4 years, Lived in Show Low and built a home, winter is cold and I highly recommend if you live there to get a woodstove and cook with propane so when the electric goes out you have heat and can cook. If you build get a metal roof sloped so snow does not build up. I used truck tires on my vehicle but it you live offroad like I did you may need studded for ice hills. Always have a food supply incase you get snowed in.

[@Nor_CALi]

I came to this video because I heard on a podcast people say they are stories of ufo there . Curious did you experience any strange sightings?

[@heythere6983]

i always heard metal roofs build mold easily due to condensation

[@cherylbailey6161]

Yes more Small Town videos

[@Hoowzit]

Love Show Low Pinetop Lakeside. Sold my residence in a certain state and bought here. Just beautiful place. Respect the locals and leave your other states politics where you left them. This is a country loving community.

[@srvntlilly]

Didn't have to name the state. If you know, you know, lol.

[@amvet5387]

I must assume you moved from the peoples republic of Californification. you people ruined it here in Show Low area. STAY OFF YOUR PHONES, SAY GOOD MORNING ONCE IN AWHILE.

[@jacktrout5807]

Chomofornia

[@stalker7892]

@@amvet5387 I'm sure the native people there would have something to say to you too, considering it was likely stolen from them. Your selfish arrogance betrays your ignorance.

[@amvet5387]

@@stalker7892 That argument does not work. spoils of war. The natives here stole the land from the Navajos. so what do you say about that dipstick?

[@NormanSilver]

Absolutely love Pine, Strawberry and Snowflake.

[@myrleenmanley]

My grandparents and dad have lived in Taylor since the 60s!! I will be inheriting the 1.8 acres with two mobile homes behind the Sonic. My sister and I used to play on the lot where Sonic is and buy taffy at the Whiting Brothers gas station on the corner. No traffic lights. No fast food. Definitely no Walmart. I love watching your videos. Like a trip to grandparents. Very nostalgic. Been everywhere many times. My sister and I always make a run to Jerome.

[@bthomson]

Rented a cabin in Greer for five or six years! Absolutely love the place!

[@sueannhawkes]

I live on the ocean , in Redwood Country in far Northern California. We welcome people from around the world here... Now that we are retired we travel in our little travel trailer once a year to Arizona. We've visited a lot of the places in this video. Sometimes in Feb ( Southern part ), or sometimes in May ( Northern part ). Everyone has always been warm and friendly. Never freaked out on us for having California plates. We stick to, and enjoy the smaller towns and countryside...Mogollon Rim/Payson area is one of our favorites. That Salt River Canyon area was beautiful.

[@betsyross1621]

Love the fall colors and the forest

[@robertburbach]

I lived in Springerville, and worked in Eager at the Southwest Saw Mill, My youngest son was born there. I still have relitives in Eager. I left in 1981 for Michigan.

[@Horsefingerandthetaintwrights]

I'm your neighbor in Pie Town. I shop in Springerville.

[@amvet5387]

@@Horsefingerandthetaintwrights I love pie town but hate your tyrant governor

[@Horsefingerandthetaintwrights]

@amvet5387 Absolutely! We keep Catron County red and a 2A sanctuary. The wicked witch is termed out. Someone has to hold the flag here. I am proud to have Eli Crane as a neighbor.😀

[@BeardedCarBuddy]

My favorite part of AZ for sure. Had a cabin in Show Low before we left AZ

[@thehikingviking4993]

Hi! You make excellent truthful cool videos, thank you! I've been following you for years and appreciate all the info as a Phoenician. I've made a lot of great "local" trips at your suggestions. Best regards my friend 🙏

[@520shane]

Absolutely love this now i have to plan a weekend road trip and highlighting small towns

[@daneboro6847]

Yes more small town video's Alpine would be nice👍

[@mikeboyce21]

Arizona is so beautiful, i really wish i could live there. You're very lucky to be an American and to live in such a beautiful state.

[@traceytrotter9934]

Watch what you wish for. Arizonians do not like visitors. And they hate anyone who moves from somewhere else.

[@melbird-dw3su]

@@traceytrotter9934Which is why I don’t go there and profit them. Horribly unfriendly, small minded.

[@jameswesterman9283]

I think every state is like that,, no one wants a bunch of liberals moving in and running everything​@@traceytrotter9934

[@Nihilist1974]

I worked up there in the early 90’s. Had a lot of fun! Beautiful part of AZ and the country.

[@johngray9986]

Great video Jeff one of your best ones yet, me and my wife enjoy your videos of northern Arizona hope you bring back the banjo music that started your past video once again great video

[@forthejoyofvegas9375]

Great Video, Yes more Small town Videos. Very Informative Thank you. ❤ Joy ❤️

[@rachelmaier1057]

First time watching your video... I miss Az. Brought tears to see familiar places. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you much God bless you. 🇺🇸

[@donnybrasco6321]

Interesting fact about Snowflake - named for the 2 main families from the area - the Snows and the Flakes (this, according to a Flake descendant I grew up with). We used to have a cabin in Forest Lakes. COOOOOLD WINTERS! And if you’re looking, check out Happy Jack if you want proximity to Flagstaff without the traffic hassles Love my home state.

[@TammyDavis-y4p]

The White Mountains are spectacular to see! I drove from PA to Arizona and that was the greatest highlight. I stayed in a National Park in November and it got down to 19 degrees. Beautiful!

[@LLYMYNT]

We used to go camping at Big Lake and visit relatives in Heber.

[@keithbalke6352]

Ya …..big lake a big pond.

[@geneanuts]

Love the White Mountain/ Rim Country! 🥰

[@NunyaBusiness251]

Cool you showcased one of my parents old homes in Springerville

[@Bluesky1ification]

little small town are hidden GEM 💎

[@terrypotucek4686]

This was a very interesting and pretty video. I visited a short portion of the White Mountains in 2015 while visiting my brother in Show Low. I loved the area. I had a daughter living in at Estrella Mountain in west Phoenix but unfortunately she moved to NC when her husband was transferred. I kind of had a back of the mind thought to get a mobile home up in one of those small towns as a part retirement home, but wife would never agree to move to small towns or rural areas. I enjoy your videos very much and am a subscriber.

[@factorvracing]

I am a Greer and my great, great, great grandfather is Americus Vespucci Greer, who lived in Greer. His wife is buried in amity on the old John Wayne ranch.

[@lawrencemeadows6093]

Im from CenCal....BUTT...i have become a big fan of this area. The Salt River Canyon was a real surprise the first time.

[@LivinginArizona]

Have you been there?

[@lawrencemeadows6093]

@LivinginArizona Once or twice a year for the last 15 years. I usually base out of Lake Pleasant, and ride my motorcycle throughout the mountains of Central Arizona. Beautiful country. I try to make the run down the Devil's Highway from Springerville to Morenci, then on to Bisbee, when the weather cooperates.

[@jenbushman51869]

My late husband grew up and graduated from Snowflake. He loved living there.

[@virginialopez8896]

I grew up in Tubac back in the sixties, it's way different today. Love Springerville, love their little country store. We camp at Lyman Lake when there.

[@Dnn411]

I went camping there many many many many years ago. ❤

[@Tentoesdownmedia]

The best small town videos on youtube! Keep up the great work Jeff.

[@zhvonte]

I own a second home in Blue, Arizona. It's east of Alpine. We're really tucked back in here and love it. Now that I got Starlink, I can spend more time up here and work remotely.

[@Proteus41]

It’s not blue… corrupt elections made it that way. Started when Dominion was rolled in back in 2016 thanks to Adrian Fontes… ohh and look where he is now. God wins and all this darkness will be exposed. Stolen elections have consequences mark my words.

[@billhisey2920]

I enjoy these small town videos and your road trip videos with information on what you are showing us

[@TheAsif5182]

well ,it was nice overview of arizona .❤

[@pmurphy12667]

one of the best videos I have seen of the entire white mountains area.Definitely want want to see updated videos of towns on Arizona.

[@marg22az]

Love Pinetop

[@Linda-j7k3l]

Hidden gem

[@ShOwStOpp3rr]

that was a wonderful video,,so many areas i didnt even know existed in Arizona..i dont know about anyone else but id love to see a video tour around Verde valley,,Cottonwood,Clarksdale,,maybe village of Oak Creek,,or maybe Prescott valley,Chino Valley Williamson,,or any other small towns or nice places to live in Yavapai county...

[@azsinger49]

This was a really quick trip you took. You hit the typical hot spots for tourist, no surprise there. I think you were not as realistic about the weather up on the rim. It can get hot, over 100 degrees, yes, but it does cool down after dark. And the wind, there are months where the wind blows so hard you are very limited in what you can do outside. If you go up after Labor Day, let's say the 3rd week of September, the crowds are mostly gone as the kids are back in school and the holiday crowds have headed back to the valley. Then you can experience quiet and cooler days.

[@charlesheller4667]

Saved this video - thank you J. Have friends in Forest Lakes.

[@matildagreene1744]

Wow..Looks so crowded compared to when my family lived there. We had little $$ so we spent our weekends traveling Northern Az. in our van. Unrecognizable in some places. (70's)

[@cbzzzzzzzzzzz1167]

It is so beautiful there, been several times up north, where I'm from, the state that is. We had a cabin up north for years, but then the wildfires started happening. It became hard to find insurance that would cover us, our other insurer dropped everyone. The job opportunities aren't there. On the weekends, during the Spring/Summer and anytime it snows, it is almost impossible to drive up there with all the traffic from the city. If an accident happens expect to wait hours on the road in traffic...some have even waited late into the night. The locals in the small towns up there start treating any outsiders and anyone from the city with contempt...not so friendly. During extreme droughts, and it happens a lot now days, they close everything down. No camping, and hardly ever any fires at the camp sites...so no smores for the little ones. We sold everything and moved. Between the violence in Phoenix, drug addicts everywhere, crime everywhere, heat, rent and home and the cost of everything else that went up...we sold everything and left.

[@UncleMilty]

Good post. I would worry about the wildfires in the whole area he talked about.

[@myrleenmanley]

Also my dad was born in Mesa. Rode horseback to school on Alma School Rd when it was a dirt road! He passed a 11:39 way recently at 93. My grandparents are buried in Mesa Cemetery

[@Cesarin98-nm4hx]

I love your show of Arizona my friend thx

[@suezettehollinger9804]

Yes, love the videos! Love the small town videos!

[@francisebbecke2727]

No mention of Travis Walton from Snowflake. He was the subject of the "Fire in the Sky" movie about alien abduction.

[@markbeavers5747]

Excellent video!!!

[@timothyrowland2050]

I was born in Show Low (Lakeside, then the Navapache Hospital), and lived there for the first 9+ years of my life. Unfortunately, I had to move away, but I enjoy coming back to visit once every decade or so.

[@Beverly-e4z]

I lived in Ganado AZ back in 1980. I back packed in Salt creek canyon, it was amazing. Sounds like there are restrictions now? I forget the name of the ski resort owned by the Apache tribe. That's where I learned to ski. Wonderful memories.

[@dskains]

are you talking about the Sunrise Ski area?

[@Beverly-e4z]

@@dskains Yes! Went there twice. Learned how to ski there. Thanks!

[@stephenscott6570]

I was just through that Forest Lakes area between Payson and Heber on my motorcycle a week ago. Expect long delays due to ongoing road constructions in 3 places.

[@sat_stacks]

Shout out to the squirrel @6:29

[@jcharles-12]

northern az took my breath away when I drove thru it for the first time in the 90's

[@n3r0wolfe]

gotta check out pleasant valley, aka young, its in-between payson and show low, down the 512

[@ChansFormer4x4]

Love your videos. Big thanks from Chandler, AZ. Subscribed.

[@larrykeyes4979]

Coda: Pinetop and Lakeside were my vacation stomping grounds in the WMs as a kid...before it was 'built up'. Back then it was rinky-dink and comfortable.

[@TheOneinthewoods]

This is so cool. Now i know where to go

[@tima.6648]

Nice overview.

[@gregorystinette8271]

Fire in the sky

[@GeorgeHathcoat]

Nice Alpine Forest up there

[@markmullen1852]

The White Mountains have exploded in population over the last 15 years. It's not longer a hidden gem.

[@michaelalfred4176]

Absolutely correct. Overbuilt and over populated.

[@Rory235]

My father had a nice place near Tonto Village Az. north of Payson Az. until a wild fire came through and burned 123,000 acres of forest around 1990. What is sad that if everybody could see all this area back in the 1960's and 1970's everybody would be amazed how beautiful the area was compared to now.

[@KenYamaguchi-sg5zr]

Thank you for an excellent and informative report. Great job!

[@ddop1-e2g]

I was camping at Gabaldon Horse Camp in October 😊

[@jacktrout5807]

Greer suffered from the wallow fire in 2011. Rodeo chediski fire was 02.

[@martimus81]

A year or so ago we relocated from Phoenix to acreage outside of Snowflake. Snowflake is technically considered high desert even though Heber to the northwest and Show Low to the south are both considered to be in the forest. Both communities tend to get snow in the winter. It'll snow around Snowflake but the snow doesn't typically stick for very long.

[@schmonsequences]

Only problem with Forest Lakes is you're driving an hour to either Payson or Show Low if you need any decent shopping. Although that may be part of the appeal for some.

[@mikew7295]

Not to mention medical care. An hour either way.

[@dskains]

and at 7500 ft elevation it will get snowed in each winter!

[@72Dexter72Manley72]

I just would like to say. I'm a black man who was born in Washington D.C. Moved to Phoenix 27 years ago. I own 2 acres in Snowflake. I'm rebuilding an old mobile home on the Snowflake property. I will live in it and work part time once it's finished. I have never been treated with more respect in my 59 years of life. Then when I am in Show low for supplies or in Snowflake shopping. Hello. Hi Sir. Did you find everything you needed sir ?. People wave at you when you drive by on the road to your home. Bus drivers wave when you pass them. I was replacing the battery in my truck once outside of Walmart. And I had 3 people ask if I needed any help. That's small town living right there. Just nice, respectful, and neighborly.

[@elainefarr3155]

We live in the Verde Valley, with lots of relatives in the White Mountain area. People are friendly, happy and down to earth there, mostly conservative. Don't be surprised to see people carrying a gun, its just normal here.

[@joesimons7387]

You forgot to show Alpine...It is a neat little town. My friend lived there for years and I loved to go there for a few weeks visit in the Summer. Good fishing in the lakes around the town..

[@sanrafaelhoa1363]

Thx. ❤ Maybe add highlights of "downtown" areas, postoffice, city hall, main grocery, etc.

[@ScarySpots]

The dog park in Show Low is great

[@badawesome]

I live in Montana and have lived in Colorado. For some strange reason the feeling I get when traveling through the Arizona White Mountains area is of creepy desolation.

[@joinjen3854]

Reference Travis Walton from Snowflake AZ and the alien abduction.

[@Tom67X]

Featuring all my favorite haunts in the state as a native.

[@darlenehoward8841]

Love the video

[@shutuplige6524]

i love the desert. i love the canyon, but central AZ is heavenly

[@NunyaBusiness251]

I currently live on Show Low and appreciate the Valley people coming up in the summer but as soon as fall hits... leave! 😂

[@user-sk5nq7dk6i]

Jeff, please do similar ones in Central and Southern Arizona.

[@marg22az]

RESPECT

[@marg22az]

Love it

[@RABPWarrior]

Excellent video

[@brockturner1559]

Good information video

[@keithbalke6352]

Eagar Az…… the town Bill Cooper was gunned down by LE on his front porch

[@tracker5849]

Arizona is so different than i ever expected. My husband lied to me for years...theres nothing there..its not a good place😢😢 a few years ago i got my first smart phone. I found Arizona...i fell in love❤❤❤❤❤. Im 72..not sure if ill ever get to come there. Being a Florida girl..i really dont care for COLD..not sure how id do. MY FIRST VISIT TO YOUR CHANNEL.. SUBSCRIBED

[@dskains]

Phoenix and Tucson have very mild winters. The show low and pinetop area are 6 to 7000 ft. elevation and get snow in the winter.

[@user-sk5nq7dk6i]

Where have you been Jeff, I have not received any of you episodes in quite a while. Please do more current and concise updates.

[@Gryphon999]

My friend lives in Tucson. Over one hundred degrees for four months this past summer. 😢

[@DavidKroff]

Imagine that?

[@allanbacon2977]

@9:15 Honda Element

[@decastring]

Please, do more small town videos. I'd really like to see some in depth coverage of what it's like to live in places like Springerville, Eagar, and Greer.

[@lauramertens9228]

Nice job

[@markpelenytschka8374]

love it

[@chanashairdesignstudio9496]

It was the Wallow Fire the other one was more in Pinetop lakeside area

[@jusstmee]

Woe! Lots of chemtrails.

[@kevinmills2404]

Another excellent video. Yes more of the same.

[@user-sk5nq7dk6i]

Jeff, stay with the small towns.

[@blazesensi8514]

I moved to Snowflake during Covid, I got a great deal on a 40 acre property, Last year Snowflakes population went up 10%

[@melissaodom1737]

Greer was not part of Rodeo/Chediski Fire, it was affected by the Wallow fire. Mount Baldy is not part of Sunrise, Hawley Lake is closed from Hwy 60 in the winter. Just in case you’re wondering. Nice video though

[@tomballesteros9819]

It Pine Top best dinner restaurant is Mr ZEKES! Best breakfast restaurant is Darbys! I have tried them all. I go up there one week a month.year around. Best Mexican restaurant is Los corrals .

[@Tammy-g1e2v]

If you do different states like this would be cool.

[@dianecasey8606]

Can you do the drive up the BeeLine highest thru Heber/Overgaard AZ?

[@GlennMire]

What about Western Drug in Springerville???? How many drug stores sell firearms. If you’ve never been there you’re really missing out.