A Weekend Trip to Pinetop-Lakeside: An Insider's Mountain Guide

Settle into Your Mountain Base

Arrive in Pinetop-Lakeside, unpack the bags, and step outside. If you're staying at our family cabin (Terrones Hilltop Hideaway on Hilltop Lane) or any of the wonderful local lodges scattered through the pines, take ten minutes to just sit on the spacious porch. Listen to the wind humming through the tops of 80-foot ponderosas. It takes about five minutes for the city buzz to completely evaporate.

Pinetop Brewing Company: Belgian Ales & Wood-Fired Fare

Head over to Pinetop Brewing Company on White Mountain Boulevard. This is our go-to first-night tradition. Grab a seat on the pine-shaded outdoor patio, order a pint of their refreshing White Mountain Witbier or signature hop-forward IPA, and split a wood-fired Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese. For dinner, their scratch kitchen serves elevated gastropub classics from artisan pizzas to savory burgers.

The Lion's Den or Cabin Stargazing

If you’re looking for lively high-country energy, head down the boulevard to The Lion's Den Bar & Grill. They regularly host local bands on their expansive tree-canopied patio. Prefer a quieter evening? Head back to your cabin, step out onto the 700+ square foot back porch, and look up at the Milky Way—the mountain dark skies up here are spellbinding.

Darbi's Café: Giant Cinnamon Rolls & Skillet Feasts

Set your alarm and arrive early at Darbi's Café. Adorned with rustic antlers, whimsical bear carvings, and mountain memorabilia, Darbi's is a true Pinetop legend. Do not skip their homemade cinnamon rolls—they arrive fresh, warm, smothered in icing, and legitimately the size of dinner plates. Pair one with a loaded chorizo skillet or fluffy biscuits and gravy to fuel your morning.

Hike Springs Trail #633 (White Mountain Trail System)

We are avid hikers, and the White Mountain TRACKS trail system is one of Arizona's absolute treasures with over 200 miles of multi-use pathways. Our personal favorite morning loop is Springs Trail #633 (just off Woodland Lake Road).

This gentle 3.6-mile loop winds through dense stands of ponderosa, oak, and Douglas fir, meandering alongside natural spring-fed streams with charming wooden footbridges. In summer, wild irises bloom along the wet meadows, and in the fall, golden ferns carpet the forest floor. It’s scenic, shaded, and dog-friendly.

Grumpy Jake's BBQ or Moose Henri's Grille

After a morning on the trail, you've earned a serious lunch. You have two incredible local options:

• Grumpy Jake's BBQ: Melt-in-your-mouth slow-smoked brisket, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, sweet cornbread, and homemade fruit cobblers. The aroma of fruitwood smoke hits you from the parking lot.
• Moose Henri's Grille: A Pinetop staple famous for over-the-top gourmet mac & cheeses (try the Bacon Gouda), hearty steak sandwiches, and cold pints in a vibrant mountain pub setting.

Fairways & Flying Discs: Traditional Golf or Disc Golf

Here’s where we spend so much of our mountain time. You have two fantastic ways to enjoy the outdoors this afternoon:

The Disc Golf Passion: If you love disc golf like we do, the White Mountains are home to fantastic courses. Woodland Lake Park Disc Golf Course offers an 18-hole forested layout where you'll throw tight lines through towering ponderosas and navigate gentle elevation changes right around the park. Looking for another great 18-hole track? Head just a few minutes west to Show Low City Park DGC, which features concrete pads, sweeping fairways, and fun pin placements that reward precision.

Championship Traditional Golf: When we want to hit the links with clubs in hand, Bison Golf Club in Show Low is our top recommendation. Designed by Billy Mayfair, it seamlessly blends scenic pine-tree-lined corridors with open high-meadow holes and pristine bentgrass greens. Alternatively, check out Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club, a friendly, public-accessible course threading through quiet forest neighborhoods.

Charlie Clark's Steakhouse & "The Orchard"

No trip to Pinetop is complete without an evening at Charlie Clark's Steakhouse. Operating since 1938, Charlie Clark’s is the oldest continually operating steakhouse in the state. Order their famous slow-roasted Prime Rib, mesquite-broiled ribeye, or fresh mountain rainbow trout.

After dinner, step out back into "The Orchard"—an outdoor wonderland set under apple and pine trees with horseshoe pits, fire pits, full outdoor bars, and live acoustic music under the stars. It represents the quintessential Pinetop social night.

The Bistro at Annie's: Bakery Elegance

Start your Sunday at The Bistro at Annie’s. Their morning scratch bakery counter is stocked with flaky butter croissants, fruit-filled Danish pastries, warm scones, and specialty espresso drinks. It's cozy, elegant, and the perfect leisurely start to your final day.

Woodland Lake Park or Rainbow Lake Shoreline

Take a relaxed morning stroll along the paved wetland boardwalks and lakeside trails of Woodland Lake Park. Watch for osprey swooping over the water, blue herons along the reeds, and family ducks paddling across the cove. It’s peaceful, flat, and an easy digestive walk before checking out.

Los Corrales Mexican Food

Before heading down the mountain, stop into Los Corrales Mexican Food in Lakeside. For decades, this family-owned gem has served the best authentic Mexican dishes in the White Mountains. Their tender chile verde, sizzling fajitas, homemade salsa, and warm corn tortillas provide the ultimate hearty comfort meal before your journey home.