Horton Springs 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. 

Updated June 27, 2026
2.0K Written by camilledupar

More Information

Horton Springs Trail #292 Hiking Trail, Star Valley, Arizona

A steep and scrambly trail that leads straight down to the Horton Springs. Near Star Valley, Arizona.

https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7014852/horton-springs-trail-292

Payson, Arizona's Horton Creek Hiking Trail is fresh spring bliss

★★★☆☆ Easy, shady, creekside, Horton Creek Hiking Trail ends at a cool, crystal-clear spring. It's pure summertime bliss.

https://www.azutopia.com/easy-hikes/horton-creek-trail/
Add Resource

Link to another great resource

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

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  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.

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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

Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby

Add Location

Upper Tonto Creek Campground

Payson, Arizona

0.3 miles S

A 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.

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Christopher Creek Gorge

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Cold, clear swimming holes and rappellable waterfalls in a canyon just outside Payson — cold year-round, with a wetsuit recommended in cooler months.

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Christopher Creek Campground

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A 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.

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See Canyon Trail

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A 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.

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Hell's Gate

Payson, Arizona

8.2 miles S

Hellsgate 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.

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Woods Canyon Lake

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A 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.

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Meadow Trail #505

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Meadow Trail #505 is a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path along the rim of Woods Canyon Lake, high on Arizona's Mogollon Rim.

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Gordon Creek Falls

Payson, Arizona

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A 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.

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Ellison Creek Falls

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Haigler Canyon Campground

Payson, Arizona

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Payson, Arizona

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Nearby Campsites

Add Location

Upper Tonto Creek Campground

Payson, Arizona

0.3 miles S

A 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

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

1.1 mi

Christopher Creek Campground

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3.7 miles SE

A 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.

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8.2 miles S

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camp Campsite

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4.0 mi

Woods Canyon Lake

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Aspen Campground

Payson, Arizona

8.6 miles E

A 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.

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Haigler Canyon Campground

Payson, Arizona

11.3 miles SE

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