Pictures courtesy of the Tonto National Forest -Tonto Creek Recreation Site.
Campground Overview:
Lower Tonto Creek Campground and sister site, Upper Tonto Creek Campground are small campgrounds located under the Mogollon Rim on the Tonto National Forest. The union of Tonto and Horton Creeks is at the north end of the campground. Fishing in both creeks is a popular sport. The trailheads for Horton Creek Trail 285 and Derrick Trail 33 are located in the campground. Both of these trails access the Highline National Recreation Trail (#31). Tonto Fish Hatchery is four miles north of Highway 260 on Forest Road 289. The Arizona Game & Fish Department welcomes visitors and has a self-guided tour of the hatchery.
Campsites:
Lower Tonto Creek Campground include 6 campsites with picnic tables, campfire rings, and cooking grills. Drinking water and toilets are available at Upper Tonto Creek Campground. Because this campground is only available on a first-come, first-served basis it will usually fill up early Friday afternoon during the summer months. Be prepared with a backup campground just in case.
This site is 17 miles northeast of Payson. From Payson, travel 16 miles east on State Hwy. 260. Just east of mile marker 268 at Kohl’s Ranch, turn left (north) on Forest Road (FR) 289. Travel one mile and turn right into the site.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
April – October |
Nearby City: |
Payson |
Fishing: |
Tonto Creek |
Campground Website: |
Lower Tonto Creek Campground |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis
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Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
With an elevation over a mile-high, Upper Tonto Creek Campground’s crisp, fresh air and vibrant views are a joy to behold. The facility is tucked along the banks of the spring-fed Tonto Creek, which passes just below the Mogollon Rim. Most visitors to this area spend their days relaxing by the creek, trying to catch some of the stocked rainbow trout.
The Mogollon Rim, pronounced by locals as “muggy-own,” is a 200-mile long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 ft in elevation. The unique landscape was created by extreme erosion and faulting that has sculpted spectacular canyons and buttes. The rim serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below. Christopher Creek is located in the desert portion, but is balanced by the cool waters of the creek and forested surroundings.
Rim Lakes Recreation Area is one of our favorite summertime locations in Arizona located in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Perched atop the Mogollon Rim at an elevation of 7,700 ft and located just two hours from the Phoenix Valley, this recreational area is a great location where you can “beat the heat” and take part in a host of low-cost recreational activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.
The area is covered with thick forests of Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine and features three man-made lakes: Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, and Bear Canyon Lakes. The lakes provide much of the area’s appeal. All three are open to boating, swimming, and fishing. Woods Canyon is the most popular and can get quite busy during the summer, especially on weekends. A well-stocked general store and boat rentals are available at Woods Canyon Lake
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
