Horton Springs - Backpack, Camp, and Hike near Payson, Arizona
Zane Gray Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541, USA,Payson,Arizona
34.33992449097796, -111.09554386152013
15.1 miles NE of Payson, Arizona
Address: Zane Gray Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541, USA
GPS: 34°20'23.7"N 111°5'44.0"W
Maps | Directions
State: Arizona
Trails/Routes: 1.1-3.5 mi

Waterfalls Streams Trails Wildflowers Fishing

Backpack, Camp, and Hike

Horton Springs is a spring on the Mogollon Rim that leads into Horton Creek. There are campsites near the springs, and several hiking trails in the area that lead to the spring itself. Between the waterfalls, the wildflowers, and the many maples, this is a beautiful destination to hike year round, or to backpack and explore.

Horton Creek Trail is a popular, easy hike that leads directly to the springs. The trailhead is located near the Upper Tonto Creek Campground, and is often frequented, especially on the weekends. At some points, the trail overlaps with the creek bed, so be prepared for your feet to get wet! You won't be able to do much swimming, but there's plenty of water to splash around, and you can still enjoy the refreshingly cold creek. The trail ends at the Highline Trail, at which point the Springs are only a few yards away. The waterfall where the spring emerges from the mountain is a unique sight. There are some dispersed campsites located near the spring, allowing for a potential overnight stay.

The other trail to reach Horton Spring is Horton Springs Trail; This trail begins north of the spring, off of Rim Road (or FR 300) and takes a short but steep 1-mile path down with no switchbacks to the spring. The Horton Spring Trail #292 is rated as "most difficult" and is recommended only to experienced hikers. 

2.0K Written by camilledupar

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Payson, Arizona

  1. Head northeast on AZ-87 N toward E Frontier St (0.7 mi)
  2. Turn right onto AZ-260 E (16.2 mi)
  3. Turn left onto Nf-289 (0.8 mi)
or

Make sure to park in the Horton Springs parking lot, not in the nearby Upper Tonto Creek Campground.

to add photos & videos and suggest edits

Guest Review/Comments

/5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Edit Review Delete Review
Reply Cancel
Horton Creek Trail, Payson, Arizona courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail, Payson, Arizona courtesy of davidpinter↗
Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 47 courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 47 courtesy of davidpinter↗ Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 55 courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 55 courtesy of davidpinter↗ Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 52 courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 52 courtesy of davidpinter↗ Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 48 courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 48 courtesy of davidpinter↗ Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 58 courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 58 courtesy of davidpinter↗ Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 11 courtesy of davidpinter Horton Creek Trail Payson Arizona Panoramio 11 courtesy of davidpinter↗ Horton Springs AZ by 357tonto Backpacking to Horton Springs  - June 2015 - AZPF by AZ Pathfinders Horton Creek Trail by betybliss
2.0K

Added by camilledupar

Trails

Distance ?

3.5 miles

Elevation Gain ?

1,178 feet

Real Ascent ?

1,342 feet

Real Descent ?

164 feet

Avg Grade (4°)

6%

Grade (-9° to 23°)

-15% to 42%

Distance ?

1.1 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-1,272 feet

Real Ascent ?

65 feet

Real Descent ?

1,337 feet

Avg Grade (-13°)

-23%

Grade (-34° to 14°)

-67% to 25%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby

Add Location

Upper Tonto Creek Campground

Payson, Arizona

0.3 miles S

Upper Tonto Creek Campground is a beautiful place to camp at the intersection of Tonto and Horton Creeks. In addition to camping, this is a popular destination to both fish and hike. The campground...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

0.8 mi

Promontory Butte

Payson, Arizona

2.0 miles E

This destination is on the edge of Promontory Butte, providing spectacularly scenic views as part of the Mogollon Rim. There are several old forest roads on the mountain that can serve as trails to...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

0.8 mi

Christopher Creek Gorge

Payson, Arizona

2.9 miles SE

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...

Canyoneer, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

canyoneer Canyon

1.1 mi

Christopher Creek Campground

Payson, Arizona

3.7 miles SE

Christopher Creek is a popular campground situated just east of Payson, nestled between the Christopher Creek river, and the town of the same name. This site is used for both overnight and day-use...

Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canyoneer Canyon

cross-country ski Cross Country Ski Trail

3.3 mi

See Canyon Trail

Payson, Arizona

4.6 miles E

See Canyon Trail #184 takes the hiker on a journey through the wooded Arizona wilderness surrounding Christopher Creek, and leading up the Mogollon Rim.  This trail has trailhead markers at the...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Hell's Gate

Payson, Arizona

8.2 miles S

This Wilderness was established in 1984, and contains approximately 37,440 rough acres with a major canyon and perennial stream extending its entire length. Deep pools of water may be separated by...

Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

4.0 mi

Woods Canyon Lake

Payson, Arizona

8.6 miles E

Woods Canyon Lake is a fishing lake near Payson, Arizona located near the Mogollon Rim. The lake has a hike that loops around it, and several other hikes nearby to look at the particularly scenic...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

3.3 mi

Meadow Trail #505

Payson, Arizona

8.7 miles E

Meadow Trail #505 is a paved path that leads from the edge of Woods Canyon Lake to the scenic edge of the Woods Canyon vista. This hike is smooth enough to allow for easy access by wheelchairs,...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

4.6 mi

Gordon Creek Falls

Payson, Arizona

9.0 miles SE

Gordon Creek Falls is a relatively unknown little oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert--specifically, outside of the city of Payson. The falls come from Gordon Creek, which winds its way through...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

0.5-0.6 mi

Ellison Creek Falls

Payson, Arizona

10.7 miles W

Ellison Creek provides 4 beautiful waterfalls in this area, each with their own swimming and diving opportunities. There are even fishing spots where trout can be caught. Since the falls are close to...

Dive, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

dive Diving Platform

Haigler Canyon Campground

Payson, Arizona

11.3 miles SE

This campground was constructed in 2007 and offers 2 day-use sites and 2 campground areas with 14 overnight sites. This campground boasts a diversity of trees. Fishing for rainbow trout is a popular...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Sinkhole Campground

Payson, Arizona

12.2 miles E

Sinkhole Campground is a camping area near Willow Springs Lake. There are also hikes, mountain biking trails, and fishing opportunities nearby. There are 26 campsites in total at this...

Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

East Clear Creek

Happy Jack, Arizona

15.1 miles N

East Clear Creek is a river that stretches through the Mogollon Rim area of Arizona. It provides water to the surrounding desert landscape, fishing opportunities, and various areas to hike,...

Canyoneer, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

canyoneer Canyon

1.6-3.6 mi

Kinder Crossing Trail #19

Happy Jack, Arizona

16.2 miles N

Kinder Crossing Trail #19 travels down to the beauty of East Clear Creek, and then extends up until reaching FR 137; but many people use the trail to reach the creek waters and play in the water. The...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Bearfoot Trail

Strawberry, Arizona

22.6 miles W

Hike and Mountain Bike near Strawberry, Arizona

Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

1.9 mi

Maxwell Trail No. 37

Happy Jack, Arizona

22.9 miles NW

The Maxwell Trail leads over the Mongollan Rim down the canyon into West Clear Creek. Although still somewhat steep, it is an easier hike than shorter neighboring Tramway trail, which shares its...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

0.6-2.9 mi

Tramway Trail No. 32

Happy Jack, Arizona

23.9 miles NW

Tramway Trail is a very short but very steep hike down the ridge of the Colorado Plateau to the nearby West Clear Creek. The trail crosses over the sharp edge of the Mogollan Rim, and descends to the...

Hike, Rock Climb, Swim

rock climb Rock Climbing Wall

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

2.2-6.1 mi

Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)

Pine, Arizona

27.4 miles W

Hidden within the vast Arizona desert is an oasis of a river that brings the surrounding banks to life around it. This is Fossil Creek--one of Arizona's two designated "Wild and...

Dive, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

dive Diving Platform

0.1-3.8 mi

Fossil Springs Trail No. 18

Pine, Arizona

27.4 miles W

Located within the Fossil Springs Wilderness, this trail leads down a canyon to the springs for which it is named. At the trailhead, there are several hikes, some of which are available for...

Hike, Horseback, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

horseback Horseback Trail

1.1 mi

Fossil Creek Waterfall

Pine, Arizona

29.9 miles W

Fossil Creek is one of Arizona's two designated "Wild and Scenic" rivers. The waterfall is the most popular place to visit to cool off and see the natural beauty. Located between...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

More Similar Arenas Near Horton Springs:

Hiking Trails Backpacking Trails Things to Do

Nearby Campsites

Add Location

Upper Tonto Creek Campground

Payson, Arizona

0.3 miles S

Upper Tonto Creek Campground is a beautiful place to camp at the intersection of Tonto and Horton Creeks. In addition to camping, this is a popular destination to both fish and hike. The campground...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

1.1 mi

Christopher Creek Campground

Payson, Arizona

3.7 miles SE

Christopher Creek is a popular campground situated just east of Payson, nestled between the Christopher Creek river, and the town of the same name. This site is used for both overnight and day-use...

Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canyoneer Canyon

cross-country ski Cross Country Ski Trail

Hell's Gate

Payson, Arizona

8.2 miles S

This Wilderness was established in 1984, and contains approximately 37,440 rough acres with a major canyon and perennial stream extending its entire length. Deep pools of water may be separated by...

Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

4.0 mi

Woods Canyon Lake

Payson, Arizona

8.6 miles E

Woods Canyon Lake is a fishing lake near Payson, Arizona located near the Mogollon Rim. The lake has a hike that loops around it, and several other hikes nearby to look at the particularly scenic...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Aspen Campground

Payson, Arizona

8.6 miles E

Aspen Campground is a large campground near Payson, Arizona. Between the proximity to Woods Canyon Lake and the seclusion of the encompassing Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, this is a...

Camp

camp Campsite

Haigler Canyon Campground

Payson, Arizona

11.3 miles SE

This campground was constructed in 2007 and offers 2 day-use sites and 2 campground areas with 14 overnight sites. This campground boasts a diversity of trees. Fishing for rainbow trout is a popular...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Sinkhole Campground

Payson, Arizona

12.2 miles E

Sinkhole Campground is a camping area near Willow Springs Lake. There are also hikes, mountain biking trails, and fishing opportunities nearby. There are 26 campsites in total at this...

Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Verde Hot Springs

Camp Verde, Arizona

34.3 miles W

Verde Hot Springs are a few natural hot spring pools located along the Verde River, near Sedona, Arizona. Once a resort, now all that remains are the foundations and the hot pools...

Camp, Hike, Hot Springs

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

hot springs Hot Spring

0.4 mi

Clear Creek Campground

Camp Verde, Arizona

40.1 miles W

West Clear Creek flows along the boundary of this desert canyon country camp and is a popular place for hiking, swimming, wading and fishing. Cool water species such as smallmouth bass and green...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Beaver Creek Campground

Camp Verde, Arizona

41.9 miles NW

Camp, Canoe, Kayak, and Swim near Camp Verde, Arizona

Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

kayak Kayaking Area

Beaver Creek Dispersed Camping

42.8 miles NW

Free dispersed camping on the cliffs above Beaver Creek.

Camp

camp Campsite

More Campsites Near Horton Springs:

Campsites

Embed Arena

Where do you plan to embed this code?

<script src="https://www.freearenas.com/embed/aaff30429"></script>

Copy
×
loading...

New Collection

Donate to the Cause

Help us inspire and inform every person to enjoy life and the great outdoors in a responsible way. There's a lot of ways to do this. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parks to provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Learn More

Add an Arena

Just some quick info about this location to get started...

Edit Your Experience

Log Your Visit to This Location

We've logged that you went. Is there anything else you want to add?

Thank you for your review/comment

We've recorded your comments. Is there anything else you want to add?

By recording your visit on FreeArenas.com, you'll have a collection of all the great places you've been and provide valuable information for yourself and others in the future.

Have you been to this location?

/5
Cancel

Update Review

/5