Campground Overview:
Upper Canyon Creek Campground is a semi-developed campground set in a mature stand of Ponderosa pine with a mix of white and Douglas fir. The Arizona Game & Fish Department Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery is nearby. The hatchery is open to the public and offers a self-guided tour of the facility. Canyon Creek is popular among anglers fishing for rainbow trout. Wildlife includes: Abert squirrel, black bear.
Campsites:
Upper Canyon Creek Campground is well maintained and overseen by camp host. There are 10 campsites which include a picnic table and fire pit. Group site 9 is large enough for 4-6 tents and/or 30 ft RV and several vehicles. Short walk to creek for fishing. Dirt road to site is an easy drive but takes about 25 mins to go the 6 miles from 260. A vault toilet is available but there is no water or trash bins. Come prepared to pack in, pack out all trash. The nearest dumpster is located at Colcord Ridge Campground down FR 33.
From Payson, travel 33 miles east on paved State Hwy. 260. Turn right on Young Road/Forest Road (FR) 512, and continue on for 3 miles to FR 33 (unpaved). Turn left on FR 33 and travel 1 1/2 miles to the site.
From Young, take State Hwy. 288/Forest Road (FR) 512 north for 23 miles to FR 33. Turn right onto FR 33. Taking FR 33, it’s about 5 miles to the site.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Payson |
Fishing: |
Canyon Creek |
Campground Website: |
Upper Canyon Creek Campground |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Canyon Creek, an outstanding high elevation riparian community just under the Mogollon Rim, is a very popular fishing and birding destination. Canyon Creek Hatchery is one of Arizona’s five fish hatcheries and is built at the headwaters that feed into Canyon Creek. In 2000, a large wildfire swept through much of the country surrounding the hatchery, destroying many large trees. After the fire, elk, deer and other wildlife species moved into the area to take advantage of the lush growth that resulted from the burn.
Canyon Creek is an excellent place to view elk, mule deer, turkey, waterfowl, trout, and a wide range of riparian birds, especially during the spring migration. Elk, mule deer, Merriam’s turkey, and Abert’s squirrel can be seen year round; there is a possibility of seeing black bear in summer. In winter and spring, bald eagles may forage at the hatchery show pond. It is not uncommon to see 5-6 eagles at one time. Canyon Creek is home to rainbow and brown trout, and many of the small fish that can be seen from the shore are speckled dace, one of Arizona’s native fish species. Hikers are likely to see terrestrial gartersnakes, canyon treefrogs, or Arizona toads on any warm weather walk along the creek.
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
