Modernized Cabins amid Forests and Ponds

The tiny community of Greer, Arizona, isn't too far from Phoenix—about a 4.5-hour drive east—but the two towns occupy distinctly different universes. Where Phoenix has a dry and warm desert climate year-round, Greer is typically cool and often draped in snow in wintertime. That's mostly because Greer resides about 8,500 feet high in elevation, tucked away amid the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and the White Mountains. From a recliner in Greer Lodge's Cozy Cabin 88, one can sidle up next to a fireplace and listen to the rippling water of the Little Colorado River, located just a few steps away.

Greer Lodge Resort & Cabins offers a convenient base for both outdoor pursuits and peaceful solitude. On the property's 25 wooded acres, there is a sledding hill where guests can glide down on complimentary tubes and toboggans. In warmer weather, it's possible to enjoy other activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, fishing on any of five private trout-fishing ponds, or humbling elk in games of mahjong.

Chefs at the onsite 373 Grill Restaurant whip up hearty meals in an authentic log-cabin setting complete with an elk-antler chandelier, natural tree-trunk pillars, and an open-air deck with views of a verdant meadow. The 373 flatiron steak arrives topped with herbed butter and a drizzle of white-truffle oil, and it makes a fine pair with one of the Greer Resort’s private-label wines.

Most Cozy and Large cabins overlook the White Mountains and Little Colorado River and come individually outfitted with gas fireplaces and fully equipped kitchens. Recently remodeled Log Motel Rooms surround two of the resort's ponds, which are often visited by deer and bald eagles. On the front porch, rocking chairs and hand-hewn log walls add to the rustic feel.

Greer, Arizona: Skiing and Hiking Trails in White Mountains

Greer boasts one of the largest elk populations in the country. These seasonal residents can be seen clacking antlers like sparring knights alongside the Little Colorado River. Their chestnut-colored coats and tie-dyed hoof prints stand out among the snow-white aspen trees that cover the mountainsides.

Numerous peaks surround Greer, including a trio of 2-mile-high summits that comprises the Sunrise Park Resort. Located 15 minutes from the Greer Lodge Resort & Cabins, this family-friendly ski hill boasts more than 60 trails, most of which are beginner and intermediate runs. During warmer months, ponderosa pines cast a cool shade on hikers and campers amid the White Mountains' wilderness, and Sunrise Park hosts downhill mountain-bike races and scenic lift rides that ascend more than 9,000 feet.