Major city · United States
Show Low
One night is enough to see the town and the Mogollon Rim. Use it as a base for hiking or fishing, not a destination.
Show Low is a small town in eastern Arizona named after a poker hand. It sits on the edge of the Mogollon Rim, a 300-mile escarpment of pine forests and canyons. Most visitors stop for a night on the way to or from the Grand Canyon, or use it as a base for outdoor recreation. The town itself has a few shops and restaurants, but the real draw is the surrounding national forest.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–October
- avoid December–February (snow and cold)
- Airport
- SOW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Show Low911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Show Low, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyShow Low is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSOW Show Low Regional Airport (Contour Airlines from Phoenix (check schedule); general aviation.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant$15–30
- BeerBeer (pint)$5–8
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SOW Show Low Regional Airport (Contour Airlines from Phoenix (check schedule); general aviation.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Aug (10 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Show Low: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
4 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. The town is walkable along Deuce of Clubs, but the Rim and forest trails are a short drive. No public transit.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mogollon Rim
goDoor to door: 30 min
Drive AZ-260 west about 20 min to the Rim Road (FR 300)
Scenic drive with overlooks and trailheads; unpaved sections.
Payson
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive AZ-260 west about 1 h 15 min
Larger town with shops and the Tonto Natural Bridge.
Holbrook
goDoor to door: 1 h
Drive AZ-77 north about 45 min
Route 66 town with the Petrified Forest nearby.
Globe
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive US-60 west about 1 h 15 min
Historic mining town with Besh-Ba-Gowah ruins.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre / Deuce of Clubs
Motels and a few B&Bs; walkable to restaurants.
Along US-60 east of town
Chain hotels and budget motels; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Car rental per day (economy)2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Gas for 100 miles2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$54 |
| Trip total≈ US$297 per person per day, bed included | US$594 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger and fries | $12–18 |
| Dinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant | $15–30 |
| Beer (pint) | $5–8 |
| Motel room (double) | $70–140 |
| Gas (per US gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter snow can close US-60 and AZ-260; check road conditions before driving.
- Cell service is patchy on the Rim and in the forest.
- Fire restrictions (no campfires) are common in summer; check the forest service website.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Show LowShow Low
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Show Low Airport → town centre: Taxi about $15–25; no public transit (check)
- Show Low → Holbrook (AZ-77): 45 min by car
- Show Low → Payson (AZ-260): 1 h 15 min by car
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Thank you — Thank you (THANK yoo)
- How much? — How much? (HOW much)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (WAIR iz the REST-room)
English is the main language; Spanish is also spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Show Low. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–October · avoid December–February (snow and cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Show Low
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