WESTERN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

July 29

Several years ago, two law enforcement officers who like to sing approached Payson City’s events coordinator with an idea to create an evening of music that celebrates the city’s heritage and way of life. The result was the Western Heritage Festival. This event includes country bands and musicians, food and merchandise vendors. The Western Heritage Festival is a wonderful all-day event full of Western culture and activities.

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Payson Lakes 60

About 11 miles up Payson Canyon are McClelland Lake, Box Lake and Big East Lake, which are collectively known as Payson Lakes. These lakes offers a huge variety of recreational opportunities ranging from fishing to swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking and more. Big East Lake, the largest of the three lakes, has a walking path, picnic tables and a beach for swimmers to enjoy. All of it happens in the midst of beautiful mountain peaks.

Dry Creek Trail 61

Dry Creek runs through Payson City, and next to it is a paved walking and jogging path known as Dry Creek Trail. The trail is also popular for road biking. It connects several parks, including Jesse Taylor Park, Maples Park, Hidden Cove Park and Dry Mountain Park. Despite its name, Dry Creek has water flowing in it much of the year, and there are wooded areas near the trail in some places. It is considered an easy trail and, despite its popularity, one can enjoy seclusion at certain times of day.

Winchester Escape House 62

In an escape room, you are immersed in an engaging story where you and your team must solve puzzles and decipher clues to get out of the room before time runs out. The Winchester Escape House at 144 W. Utah Ave., Payson, offers several types of stories for you to experience, from “Pirate Cove” to “Butch Cassidy’s Great Escape,” “Moroni’s Quest” and “Monster Mayhem.” Gather a group of friends or family members and see if you’re up to the challenge!

South County Lanes 66

Family-owned and -operated South County Lanes offers bowling seven days a week. Reserve a lane online for your family, or get all your closest friends together and book a party! There’s bowling leagues available as well. The fun isn’t limited to bowling; South County Lanes also has a laser tag arena, an arcade, pool tables and a cafe.

Dog Park 63

Santaquin City offers a selection of parks, including one designed for four-legged furry friends. The dog park at 1783 Sawtooth Blvd. features an enclosed off-leash area, benches and grassy and no-grass areas.

ROWLEY’S RED BARN 64

Built on a family-owned and -operated fruit farm, Rowley’s Red Barn is located on the southern end of Santaquin. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of orchards, the iconic red barn boasts an ice cream counter, fudge and pastry display and specialty packaged foods, including chocolate-covered fruits, popcorn, nuts and fruit butters. Fresh produce varies depending on the season; the possibilities include fresh apples, peaches, cherries, pears and more. The Red Barn is located at 901 S. 300 West, Santaquin.

EXPLORE PAYSON’S HISTORY 65

Several historical markers are scattered within walking distance of each other in Payson’s downtown area. Three of them are found in Memorial Park: the Pioneer Millstone marker, which notes early structures built in the area; the City Hall marker, which includes a bell once rung as a curfew signal for local children; and the Dominguez y Escalante Expedition marker, which commemorates the arrival of a party of Spanish explorers into Utah Valley in 1776. Within half a mile of the park are several other historical markers, including two noting the locations of the corners of the Payson pioneer fort and one located near the Payson City Building which is accompanied by a pioneer log cabin built in 1863.

Harvest View Sports Complex 67

The Harvest View Sports Complex at 1400 S. Harvest View Drive in Santaquin features multiple grassy sports fields as well as high-quality lighting for nighttime games. There’s also multiple pickleball courts and restrooms, all with a beautiful view of the nearby mountain peaks. It’s a perfect place to spend a warm summer evening watching the game or even playing in one.

Spring Lake Trout Farm 68

At Spring Lake Trout Farm, you can enjoy yearround fishing. Cost is $8.50 per pound, and that includes all the equipment and bait you need. They’ll even clean and fillet the fish at no extra charge. Catch and release is also available, and groups can schedule times to fish together. Spring Lake Trout Farm is located at 3409 W. 12300 South in Payson.