Promontory Butte is arguably the finest viewpoint on Arizona's legendary Mogollon Rim — a dramatic promontory jutting out from the Rim's edge near Payson, offering a jaw-dropping panorama across endless forested country below. Perched where the high Colorado Plateau drops away in a 2,000-foot escarpment, it's a spectacular, remote spot to take in one of the Southwest's great landscapes.

From the edge of the butte, the view sweeps for miles over pine forests, canyons, and ridgelines stretching south toward Payson and beyond — especially stunning at sunset or when storms roll across the rim. Several old forest roads on the mountain double as trails out to the viewpoint, and the area connects to the historic Highline Trail that runs along the base of the Rim.

Getting there is the challenge. This is a genuinely remote destination reached by a maze of forest roads (off Forest Road 300, the Rim Road), and the final stretch — Forest Road 76B — is rough, rocky, and poorly maintained, calling for a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Bring a good map or GPS, since signage is sparse and it's easy to get turned around.

Late spring through fall is the season (the Rim Road and high country are typically snowed in during winter). Watch the weather, as afternoon monsoon storms bring lightning to these exposed heights, and stay well back from the unfenced cliff edges. Bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and a full tank of gas, and pack out everything. For those willing to make the rugged drive, Promontory Butte serves up one of the most breathtaking views in all of Arizona.