Welcome!

The Merritt Center and Lodge: A Retreat Center was founded in 1987 by Betty Merritt and is dedicated to individual and group renewal and empowerment. 

Retreat programs are held in a charming rustic lodge tucked away in the rural community of Payson, Arizona; endowed with a rugged inheritance of mountains and trees (elevation 5,000 feet): healthy meals, hiking, hammocks, hot tub, and clean mountain air. Therapeutic body work and forest walks are specialties of the Lodge. Located 90 miles north of Phoenix, a beautiful 1 1/2 hour drive from Sky Harbor airport through spectacular desert mountain terrain to one of the largest stands of Ponderosa pine in the world. All programs are limited to fewer than 30 participants; double/single occupancy rooms; private and shared baths.

Our Purpose
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education in renewal and empowerment via classes, workshops and experiential programs in a climate conducive to personal and organizational growth. Ideal setting for persons and organizations in transition.

Tour

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Workshops

We are currently working on a new workshop schedule. Workshops offered have included:

Combat Vets Programs
Men Combat Vets Four-Weekend Program (Free)
Female Combat Vets Weekends (Free)

Wellness Weekends

Couples Workshops

Exploring Workshops
Create Your Dream
Reorder Priorities
Kiatsu
Empowerment Coaching
How to Create a Retreat Center

Spiritual Workshops

Holiday Workshops

Community Workshops

Healing Touch Classes

Women’s Workshops

 

 

Calendars

We are currently rebuilding our website. Please check back again soon.

Directions

For Navigation Systems

Your navigation software should get you here if you enter the following:

99 Haught Rd., Payson, AZ 85541.

From Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport

  • Take Highway 202 to Country Club Road (Highway 87), turn north (left).
  • Take Highway 87 about 65 miles to Payson’s first stop light at the Matzatzal Casino.
  • Continue to the fourth traffic light, Highway 260, turn east (right).
  • Take Highway 260 for 3 miles and look for Valley Rd. and the Merritt Lodge signs on the left.
  • Turn left on Valley Road and continue for .2 miles to Haught Road, turn left (look for the Merritt Center signs; the street sign is missing).
  • The Lodge is the third property on the left.

From Phoenix

  • Cross the city to Country Club Road (Highway 87), turn north (left).
  • Take Highway 87 about 65 miles to Payson’s first stop light at the Matzatzal Casino.
  • Continue to the fourth traffic light, Highway 260, turn east (right).
  • Take Highway 260 for 3 miles and look for Valley Rd. and the Merritt Lodge signs on the left.
  • Turn left on Valley Road and continue for .2 miles to Haught Road, turn left (look for the Merritt Center signs; the street sign is missing).
  • The Lodge is the third property on the left.

From I-17 or Northern Arizona

  • Take I-17 to the Camp Verde East exit (Highway 260 East).
  • Take Highway 260 about 40 miles to the stop sign at Highway 87, turn south (right).
  • Take Highway 87 south until you reach the first stop light in Payson at Forest Street.
  • Continue to the third stop light, Highway 260, turn east (left).
  • Take Highway 260 for 3 miles and look for Valley Rd. and the Merritt Lodge signs on the left.
  • Turn left on Valley Road and continue for .2 miles to Haught Road, turn left (look for the Merritt Center signs; the street sign is missing).
  • The Lodge is the third property on the left.

From Northeastern Arizona and I-40

  • Take I-40 to the main Holbrook exit, Route 77 south.
  • Take 77 through Holbrook.
  • About 2 miles after the bridge, look for route 377 on the right.
  • Take route 377 until it ends at route 277, turn right.
  • Take route 277 to Route 260, turn right.
  • Take Route 260 for approximately 60 miles to Star Valley.
  • Go through Star Valley and as you start to climb the hill, look for Valley Rd. and the Merritt Lodge signs on the right.
  • Turn right on Valley Road and continue for .2 miles to Haught Road, turn left (look for the Merritt Center signs; the street sign is missing).
  • The Lodge is the third property on the left.

Contact