Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
| Address: | Box Canyon Trail, Payson, AZ 85541, USA |
| GPS: |
34°18'48.7"N 111°3'20.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.4 mi |
Rivers Rocks
Canyoneer, Hike, and Swim
Christopher Creek Gorge is a fun swimming or canyoneering destination located in Christopher Creek, just outside of Payson, Arizona. To get there, you have to hike from the Christopher Mountain trailhead next to the freeway, and then you can rappel down the various waterfalls and swimming holes. The water is cold year-round, which is nice during the summer, but a wetsuit is advised if going during the colder months. The rocks are slippery when wet, so be cautious and safe.
There is no fee for accessing the gorge, except for parking as explained below in the directions. If you do choose to park at the campground, there are restrooms available there.
More Information
Arizona Hiking: CHRISTOPHER CREEK BOX CANYON
UPDATE: Sept 12, 2013-- Spoke with the forest service today. Even though the box canyon is located on forest service land, they have NO ...
http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com/2009/07/christopher-creek-box-canyon.htmlChristopher Creek Canyon, AZ — On Rope Canyoneering
Canyoneering Equiptment, Canyon Beta, Technical Canyoneering GPS files, Topographic Maps. Canyoneering Rope Bags, Canyon Skid Plates, Canyoneering Backpacks, Canyon Kegs, Canyoneering Rope, Carabiners, Webbing, Descenders, Anchor Material, and new Canyon gear in the works.
https://www.onropecanyoneering.com/christopher-creek-canyon-azPrivate Site
Build a website. Sell your stuff. Write a blog. And so much more.
https://desertbratadventures.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/christopher-creek-gorge/Rock Climbing in Christopher Creek Gorge, Central Arizona
Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers.
https://www.mountainproject.com/area/110803885/christopher-creek-gorgeBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Payson, Arizona
- Head northeast on AZ-87 N toward E Frontier St (0.7 mi)
- Turn right onto AZ-260 E (18.7 mi)
One option for parking is to use the nearby Christopher Creek Campground, but there is a $6 day use fee if you choose to do this. Another option is to park along the side of the road near the trail head; the former parking area has disappeared since the recent highway construction. Take care not to park at the nearby Boy Scout Camp, as that is private property and would be trespassing.
Other Swimming Holes, Hiking Trails, and Canyons Nearby
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
1.0 miles EA creekside campground east of Payson with swimming holes, small waterfalls, spring trout stocking, and cross-country skiing in winter — open for day-use and overnight camping spring through fall.
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim 0.8 mi
Promontory Butte
Payson, Arizona
2.6 miles NSpectacularly scenic views from the edge of the Mogollon Rim, reached via old forest roads — a remote destination said to offer the best vantage over the forest below.
Hike
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
2.7 miles NWA 9-site first-come-first-served campground at the junction of Tonto and Horton Creeks — with vault toilets, drinking water, and trailheads for Horton Spring and the Highline Trail nearby.
Camp, Hike 3.3 mi
See Canyon Trail
Payson, Arizona
2.8 miles NEA wooded Arizona trail climbing from Christopher Creek to the Mogollon Rim — easy and flat for the first mile (great for kids), then progressively steeper, with a side trail to See Spring for water.
Hike 1.1-3.5 mi
Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
2.9 miles NWA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 2.3 mi
Gordon Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
6.2 miles EA secluded ponderosa oasis outside Payson with a seasonal waterfall that gushes in spring or after monsoon rains — dry or muddy when rainfall has been scarce.
Hike, Swim 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
6.5 miles EA trout-fishing lake near Payson with a scenic loop hike and Mogollon Rim views — swimming is not recommended, but the scenery and fishing make it well worth the visit.
Camp, Hike, Swim 1.7 mi
Meadow Trail #505
Payson, Arizona
6.6 miles EMeadow Trail #505 is a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path along the rim of Woods Canyon Lake, high on Arizona's Mogollon Rim.
Hike
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
6.9 miles SHellsgate Wilderness hides deep canyon pools possibly separated by impassable falls in a remote 37,000-acre preserve — a true adventure for spring and fall explorers.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
8.4 miles SEA 2007-built campground along Haigler Creek with 14 overnight sites, trout fishing stocked April through late August, and chiseled canyon swimming holes nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Sinkhole Campground
Payson, Arizona
9.7 miles ESinkhole Campground sits in cool ponderosa pines atop the Mogollon Rim, a short walk from the trout waters of Willow Springs Lake.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike
Payson Area
Cornville, Arizona
12.9 miles WThe Payson area northeast of Phoenix offers numerous swimming holes in the Tonto National Forest rivers, including Ellison Creek Falls, Christopher Creek Gorge, Fossil Creek, and Verde Hot Springs.
Swim 0.2-0.6 mi
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
13.2 miles WFour waterfalls, multiple swimming holes, and trout fishing along Ellison Creek near Payson — the most popular stop is a short walk from the parking lot.
Dive, Hike, Swim
East Clear Creek
Happy Jack, Arizona
17.5 miles NA Wild and Scenic river winding through the Mogollon Rim with canyon views, cliff-scaling canyoneers, trout fishing, and deep swimming holes for a full adventure day.
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 0.8-1.8 mi
Kinder Crossing Trail #19
Happy Jack, Arizona
18.5 miles NA short but steep 0.75-mile hike dropping 500 feet to beautiful East Clear Creek — high-clearance vehicle required on FR 95T, no motorized vehicles past the trailhead, closed in winter snow.
Hike, Swim
Bearfoot Trail
Strawberry, Arizona
25.3 miles WBearfoot Trail (#13) is a mellow, shady Mogollon Rim hike and mountain-bike ride linking Strawberry to Pine Creek, near Pine, Arizona.
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.0 mi
Maxwell Trail No. 37
Happy Jack, Arizona
25.8 miles NWMaxwell Trail drops from the Mogollon Rim down into West Clear Creek, ending at shaded swimming holes, small caves, and great fishing — water shoes required.
Hike, Swim 0.6-2.9 mi
Tramway Trail No. 32
Happy Jack, Arizona
26.8 miles NWA steep, rock-scrambling descent through the Mogollon Rim to West Clear Creek, with deep fishing and swimming holes waiting at the bottom — not for beginners.
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
29.9 miles WA waterfall over an old Fossil Creek dam with a spinning natural rock slide that launches swimmers into the main pool — plus a shallow cave for shade on hot Arizona days.
Dive, Hike, Swim 0.1-3.8 mi
Fossil Springs Trail No. 18
Pine, Arizona
29.9 miles WA 4.75-mile desert canyon trail to the springs and an old dam in the Fossil Springs Wilderness — little shade and a brutal uphill return make summer visits genuinely dangerous.
Hike, Horseback, SwimNearby Campsites
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
1.0 miles EA creekside campground east of Payson with swimming holes, small waterfalls, spring trout stocking, and cross-country skiing in winter — open for day-use and overnight camping spring through fall.
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
2.7 miles NWA 9-site first-come-first-served campground at the junction of Tonto and Horton Creeks — with vault toilets, drinking water, and trailheads for Horton Spring and the Highline Trail nearby.
Camp, Hike 1.1-3.5 mi
Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
2.9 miles NWA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Aspen Campground
Payson, Arizona
6.4 miles EA large, popular campground near Woods Canyon Lake in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest — note that Rim Road closes in winter, so the site is inaccessible during that time.
Camp 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
6.5 miles EA trout-fishing lake near Payson with a scenic loop hike and Mogollon Rim views — swimming is not recommended, but the scenery and fishing make it well worth the visit.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
6.9 miles SHellsgate Wilderness hides deep canyon pools possibly separated by impassable falls in a remote 37,000-acre preserve — a true adventure for spring and fall explorers.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
8.4 miles SEA 2007-built campground along Haigler Creek with 14 overnight sites, trout fishing stocked April through late August, and chiseled canyon swimming holes nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Sinkhole Campground
Payson, Arizona
9.7 miles ESinkhole Campground sits in cool ponderosa pines atop the Mogollon Rim, a short walk from the trout waters of Willow Springs Lake.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
36.7 miles WNatural hot spring pools beside the Verde River — the remnants of an old resort — reached by wading upstream from a dispersed camping area with no amenities near Sedona.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs 0.4 mi
Clear Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
42.8 miles WA grassy creekside campground shaded by tall cottonwoods on West Clear Creek — ideal for hiking, swimming, fishing for smallmouth bass and sunfish, and wildlife watching in a desert canyon oasis.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Beaver Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
44.7 miles NWBeaver Creek is a refreshing creekside oasis in the high desert of central Arizona, where the cool, clear waters of Wet Beaver Creek wind beneath big cottonwoods and sycamores in the Coconino...
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Beaver Creek Dispersed Camping
45.7 miles NW
Free dispersed camping on the cliffs above Beaver Creek.
Camp
