Goodfellow Lodge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is a one-of-a-kind rustic hideaway in the middle of some of the most picturesque scenery in Arizona’s Rim Country. Nestled deep within Pine Canyon, this three-story cabin-style lodge was built in the 1920’s and has kept much of its early 20th-century charm. The lodge has 10 furnished bedrooms with private and communal restrooms, as well as a furnished basement suite with a private kitchenette with sink and refrigerator. The first floor features our beautiful wood cabin group dining area with picnic table seating, fireplace, and a large kitchen big enough for your group or catering company. Entertain on the outdoor veranda or the grass event area outside, or sit and spot any of our regular wildlife visitors, like deer and javelina. We invite you to visit Goodfellow Lodge and consider it for your next group visit, wedding, or overnight event.
Nestled in Pine Creek Canyon just north of Payson, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is definitely off the beaten path – and that’s part of its charm. Even better, guests at Goodfellow Lodge basically have the park to themselves after the gates close at 5:00 p.m. each evening. Add in the absence of electronic distractions – there’s no phone, cell or internet access in the park – and you have a quiet place to reflect and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature.
You can’t miss Goodfellow Lodge, as it’s located just to the left of the entrance gate. Accessible parking is available behind the three-story lodge, with level access over to the accessible unisex restrooms, and ramp access up to the main entrance in front. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair around the main floor, which includes a gift shop and information desk, as well as communal dining facilities and a well equipped commercial kitchen. Add in an expansive wrap around porch that’s lined with rocking chairs, and you have an incredibly inviting public space.
The 10-room lodge can accommodate up to 28 overnight guests, with the bulk of the guestrooms located up a flight of stairs on the third floor. The new accessible Roosevelt Suite is located next to the accessible parking area on the ground floor. From there, wheelchair-users and slow walkers can easily access the public areas of the lodge, the accessible suite and even some of the scenic viewpoints in the park.
Access features in the Roosevelt Suite include wide doorways and good pathway access. The suite is furnished with a 25-inch high queen-sized bed, with wheelchair access on either side (depending on the bed location), a night table, a sofa, and a wet bar area with a microwave, refrigerator and a sink.
There’s a closet and a small roll-under vanity in the hallway, with sliding door access to the bathroom. The spacious bathroom includes a full five-foot turning radius, and is outfitted with a 36-inch-square transfer-type shower, with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a toilet with grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated), and a pedestal sink.
Enjoy the View
Of course, one of the highlights of the park is the scenic natural bridge. The massive limestone bridge, which was sculpted by the forces of nature, stands 183 feet high and is easily visible from four wheelchair-accessible viewpoints near Goodfellow Lodge. And although the bridge was technically discovered in the late 19th century, it was used by Native Americans long before that, as they also inhabited caves nearby.
Viewpoint 1 is closest to Goodfellow Lodge, but day visitors can also access it from the West Wing Parking Lot. Accessible parking is located near the group ramada, with an 800-foot paved level pathway over to the viewpoint. Not only is this one of the easiest viewpoints to access, but it also offers one of the best views of the natural bridge. From there it’s about a quarter-mile stroll across the river to Viewpoint 2; and although there are a few gravel spots here and there, the pathway is doable for most wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Viewpoint 3 is another quarter-mile stroll away; however an additional accessible parking area is located closer to it, in the Bridge Parking Area. It’s about a 150-foot walk from the parking lot to Viewpoint 3 , and another 200 feet down to Viewpoint 4 at the end of the line. And although the park trails are off limits after the park closes, lodge guests can enjoy a scenic sunset from any of the viewpoints.
AMENITIES
The Dining Room and Outdoor Veranda are fully furnished with picnic bench-style seating as well as small two-person tables placed next to the dining room windows, giving a clear view of the park environment. The Dining Room also has a fireplace, old-time stove, and even a piano (please note, the piano is not regularly tuned).
The Goodfellow Lawn accommodates 100 -150 people and is ADA accessible. The event area also has freestanding restrooms with tiled floors and running water. Guests can also rent a wood BBQ or two propane grills.
The Kitchen is supplied with various cooking items, like pots and pans and utensils, as well as dishes, glassware, and silverware. We suggest that if you intend to cook or bake beyond basic meal preparation that you bring those necessary items with you.
The Roosevelt Suite is a private room with restroom and shower, vanity, a small refrigerator, microwave, cabinets, and kitchen counter. It is available for rental and is ADA accessible.
The lodge was recently renovated to provide modern conveniences to our guests including heating and air conditioning, indoor plumbing, and additional improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
