Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
| Address: | Zane Gray Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541, USA |
| GPS: |
34°20'9.9"N 111°5'42.9"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
Restrooms Picnic Tables Rivers Fishing
Camp and Hike
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 is near the trail heads for Horton Spring 285 and for Derrick Trail 33, both of which intersect the Highline Trail.
Day-use fees are $8, while overnight stays are $16 per day, with an additional $8 for a sceond vehicle. You can camp here for up to 14 days, but the 9 sites available are first come, first served. There are vault toilets and drinking water available here.
More Information
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https://www.recreation.gov/Tonto National Forest : Recreation
Find and Discover Recreation Sites and Trails in Tonto National Forest
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Read MoreDirections
From Payson, Arizona
- Head northeast on AZ-87 N toward E Frontier St (0.7 mi)
- Turn right onto AZ-260 E (16.2 mi)
- Turn left onto Nf-289 (0.5 mi)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
0.3 miles NA 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.
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Promontory Butte
Payson, Arizona
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Christopher Creek Campground
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See Canyon Trail
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Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
0.3 miles NA 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 1.1 mi
Christopher Creek Campground
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3.6 miles SEA 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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Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
7.9 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 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
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8.6 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.
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Sinkhole Campground
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