Entire cabin·Private host

Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway

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Photo gallery for Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway

Terrace/patio
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
2 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, video library

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5114 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Payson, AZ
  • Dripping Springs
    ‪176 min walk‬
  • Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Mazatzal Casino
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway

The Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway provides a great gathering location for relaxing in the cool mountains. Whether just enjoying the quiet rustling of the pine and juniper trees, gazing at the spectacular views from the 850+ sq.ft. multilevel deck, or exploring the incredible areas that nature has provided in the area, this very private rustic cabin will leave you breathless. Built in the Tonto National forest, this magnificent remote cabin in the Mogollon Rim country provides a completely furnished log cabin with many of the amenities expected with a high-end home, yet is designed casually to accommodate families and friends. Close to great hiking and OHV trails. The house is located on a dirt road and there is parking for at least 2 cars.

The kitchen includes cherry cabinetry, granite counter tops, large kitchen island, and all of the kitchenware needed to prepare the perfect meal. The master bedroom is outfitted with a Top-Rated King memory foam mattress, ceiling fan and direct access to the bathroom that includes a walk-in travertine shower. The second bedroom provides very comfortable Queen and Full beds along with a ceiling fan. The BEST room of the house is the Front deck. Take in the views from either an outdoor dining table, the comfortable seating area under the deck roof, or relaxing in chairs on the upper deck around the propane firepit.


Please Note!! Due to the remote location of this property, there is a few things to be aware of when booking your stay.
1. Water in this area is limited and there is no city water access. Local wells provide the water supply and there is a rain water catchment system. Water conservation is VERY important when staying at a remote cabin like this. There is plenty of water, just not enough to waste.
2. Abundant wildlife is also present as in all forests. Don't be surprised to find Elk or other critters living in the forest with you.
3. In this fast paced life we live in now, sometimes it's nice to just unplug and unwind without the distractions of the everyday life. If you must stay connected, there is wireless internet connectivity that can be provided for an additional fee.
4. There are exterior cameras on property. These are to protect our guests, the property owners, and who are we kidding... we like to watch the wildlife from time to time ourselves when we are not there.
5. There MAY be a FIRE BAN in place when you are interested in coming. No open wood burning flame is allowed at the cabin any time. Please check the Tonto Forest web site for alert ban status: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices

We're all concerned during these chaotic times but we want to ensure you that we're taking every possible measure to ensure the home is comfortable, accommodating, and properly prepared for your arrival. If you need a clean, safe, and cozy spot to stay during this time of crisis, The Elk Surprise Hilltop Hideaway makes an ideal place to be.

Fresh, clean mountain air and the scent of Pine and Juniper trees make this the perfect escape to enjoy a cool weekend or an extended vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. We value our guests and look forward to becoming your new favorite vacation hideaway.
During your stay at this cabin, you're just a quick walk from Tonto National Forest. The cabin offers a kitchen and a fireplace.
  • Air-conditioned cabin with kitchen, fireplace and patio
  • WiFi for a fee
  • 0.1 miles (0.1 km) from Tonto National Forest and 7.6 miles (12.2 km) from Bishop Park
Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Payson cabin is smoke free.

Property manager

Dan and Alexis

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: WiFi (surcharge)

Parking and transport

  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains

Things to do

  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1,232 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.
  • Note from host: Approved Pets with a per stay fee (Max. 2)

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway Payson
Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway Private vacation home
Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway Private vacation home Payson

Elk Surprise Hillside Hideaway Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 53 out of 55 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 55 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 55 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 55 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 55 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Zach G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Remote getaway
Very clean house, no issues with check in, owner provided good directions. No complaints. Would rent again.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Getaway
My husband and I rented this quaint cabin for our Christmas holiday. The remote location offered a peaceful retreat and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alicia H., Chandler

Liked: Cleanliness
Elk Suprise...was just that!
We had such a great stay at this cabin. The cabin was so thoughtfully furnished with ABSOLUTELY everything you needed and more. So cozy and clean and masterbed was so comfortable!! We will be back, and would recommend to anyone looking for a remote getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christel B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Peaceful Escape
This was our second time staying at this property, and it lived up to our expectations once again. We love the peaceful "get away from it all" vibe, and it’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some quality time with our pup. Looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen P., Honey Brook, PA - USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Remote Paradise
We had a great overall stay at the Elk Surprise cabin. It is definitely remote. I’m glad I rented an SUV with AWD! It was a little bit of a longer drive from Payson than I thought (45 minutes), but we really didn’t have to go into town very much, so all was good. We just made sure we were back at the cabin before dark as it would be a tricky drive on the gravel mountain road in the dark. We enjoyed the natural scenery and had a wonderful trip up to Sedona and a few other local attractions.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynn J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great get-away with our pup!
Everything was wonderful! It was very dog-friendly, had a large and enclosed deck for our furry kid, and had amazing views! It was the perfect escape!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shalisha L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice quiet remote location
Very nice clean cabin, great view and patios. Kitchen had everything we needed to cook/bbq. Master bed was comfortable. Very quiet location, great for stargazing on clear nights. Highly recommended a high clearance vehicle as the road is a little rough and steep in places. Host was very responsive to questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leanna R., Mesa

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful View
We arrived to the cabin and everything was wonderful. Well maintained property and this place just felt warm and cozy. We saw some elk passing the street. The only thing I couldnt figure out is how to turn the fireplace on. Thank you for opening your home to us!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Slade F., Gilbert

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location for Quiet Relaxation
The cabin is very charming, well furnished, very clean, with all the modern conveniences anyone would need. The multiple seating areas on both the front deck and elevated back deck offer gorgeous views no matter what time of the day. The propane fire pit offers a great ambience along with all of the well positioned solar accent lighting throughout the entire property. It's one of the best VRBOs we have ever stayed in.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patti E.

Liked: Cleanliness
A+
The cabin is beautiful off the beaten path, very dark great for stars, and quiet. All amenities needed for a relaxing stay, all you need is food and water (cocktails of course) and your set. Definitely would go back again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane J., Scottsdale

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Stay in the Pines
This cabin is cozy and very comfortable. Very well supplied with anything you might need. The pics don’t do it justice. Very tastefully decorated with many games, puzzles, movies, and books at your disposal. We truly enjoyed all the outdoor living on the expansive decks. Our dogs loved the yard, decks, and woods. The beds were comfy. We drove into Pine for craft fair and more where we saw numerous elk. Thank you for a terrific trip!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sherry G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cabin Getaway
This was the perfect remote getaway! Beautiful cabin and location in the mountains with gorgeous views. I highly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colin H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Cabin Getaway
My wife and I go up to Payson, at least annually, and couldn’t have been happier with our experience. The owner was easy to talk to and the place was exactly as listed. The house was very nice and had many areas to sit and enjoy the nice weather. We were also able to see a pack of about 40 Elk walk through just down the road of the house. We will definitely be renting again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christel B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Secluded Haven
Dan and Alexis were fantastic hosts, ensuring we had all the necessary information about the property before our arrival, including the most thorough set of instructions to getting to the property. Throughout our trip, they were incredibly helpful, promptly addressing any small queries we had. The property's seclusion and the pleasant weather allowed us to spend most of our days relaxing on the patio, engrossed in our books. The fact that we traveled with a blind dog made our stay even more enjoyable as all the entryways were already fenced off, ensuring her safety in all outdoor areas. It was a huge relief not having to worry about her getting stuck anywhere. Overall, the property's beauty and the thoughtful accommodations made our time away truly enjoyable and relaxing. We had a wonderful experience, thanks to Dan and Alexis, and we highly recommend this place for anyone looking to get away from it all.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jerry A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet & Enjoyable
We really enjoyed the stay at Elk Surprise. We were looking for a place to get away relax with no agenda we got that at Elk Surprise. Definitely would like to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful secluded cabin with amazing views!
The cabin has a large decks and great amenities for enjoying the outdoors and family fun. There are lots of great hikes and creeks with swimming holes in the area, we saw large rainbow trout in the creeks and also saw elk, rabbits and javalina while walking in the mornings and evenings from the cabin. The hosts were friendly, provided helpful emails and information at the cabin about the area and were responsive. We look forward to our next visit!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael M., Peoria, az

Liked: Cleanliness
Great vacation!
We had a great stay at Elk Surprise. It is apparent that Dan and Alexis ensure the cabin is well taken care of. We plan on staying here again in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachael K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyed our stay
The home and stay was wonderful! It is a hike to get to the property but the peacefulness is worth it! The owner was also very helpful and communicative.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect weekend getaway
Everything was as expected - views are beautiful and it’s super quiet!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shiloh M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Cabin Getaway
Excellent Getaway location. Clean, beautiful cabin. Stellar front deck. Very private and quiet. Dog gates worked equally well for our toddler. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved our time here! Can’t wait to return!
Very easy, painless process. Hosts were very helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tammy P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very relaxing getaway
This cabin in the mountains was just what I was hoping to find, a comfortable place in a beautiful location to finish up a project I have been working on. They had everything I needed to enjoy my time and the WiFi allowed me to get my project completed. There was a great deck with comfy seating to sit and enjoy the view. It was also surrounded by great hiking trails within driving distance. It did rain the last day and a half I was there so I was glad to be driving a truck with 4-wheel drive to help get through some of the muddier areas of the forest road but otherwise no problems. If you are looking to get away and enjoy the mountains, you will love this place!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tina W., Mesa, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfy getaway in the woods
This home has everything you need! It's very remote but has good internet and cell signal. It is quite the adventure getting there, but was perfect for getting away from it all and relaxing. Follow the directions provided by the owners; we were very glad we had printed them on paper since the cell service is spotty in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful view
Very beautiful property, nice scenery and very cozy.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mike R., Glendale AZ

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful & Secluded
We had a great stay. It's 30 minutes of SR87 and when you get to the area there are neighbors but it is VERY QUIET and while the lots are not huge (<1 acre) it's almost impossible to see any neighbors due to the thick trees. You feel all alone out in the middle of the forest! House was clean and very well apportioned. Easy check-in... we had one small issue with the electronic lock but Dan was on it within 1 minute of me texting! We'd definitely come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022