Sharp Creek
FSU.S. Forest Service — PAYSON · Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tonto National Forest |
| Location | PAYSON · Arizona · Tonto National Forest · 34.29972, -110.99806 · Map |
| Sites | 20 public sites counted from the federal listing — 14 standard nonelectric; 3 group standard nonelectric; 3 tent only nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 20 sites Water hookups at 0 of 20 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 20 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 20 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 120 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 17 sites · 30 ft: 13 sites · 35 ft: 13 sites · 40 ft: 13 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 20 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 3 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 928-468-7135 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-05-22.
From the official listing
Overview Sharp Creek is a small campground located in an area of central Arizona known for its pleasant temperatures, spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation. There are tent-only, family and group sites to accommodate a wide range of visitors. Recreation The campground is in a central location for hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking. Anglers can try for trout in nearby Christopher Creek. Hikers and Mountain Bikers can access the National Recreation Highline Trail, which spans 63 miles along the base of the Mogollon Rim, from the 260 Trail three miles east of the campground. Two lakes nearby offer additional fishing and boating options.
Facilities Sharp Creek is a small campground with 28 campsites conveniently spread out into 3 loops. Campsites are spacious, comfortable and well-maintained, with some shade. Each has a picnic table, grill, campfire ring and lantern holder. One additional loop contains three group campsites that can each accommodate 75 people.
19 Sites are reservable and 9 sites are first-come, first-serve. Payment for first-come, first-serve sites is completed using the on-site fee machine. No cash is accepted.
Natural Features Sharp Creek sits at a cool 6,000 feet elevation, perfect for escaping the desert heat of southern Arizona and getting away to shaded forests and refreshing creeks and lakes. It is surrounded by a thick ponderosa pine forest below the Mogollon Rim. The clear waters of Christopher Creek are less than a mile away.
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 feet 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900. Nearby Attractions The small town of Christopher Creek is less than a mile away and has a few restaurant and shopping options for basic conveniences. Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lakes sit above the Mogollon Rim, only a 10-minute drive away, and offer boating and fishing.
The National Recreation Highline Trail is just a few miles east on Highway 260.
Directions, from the listing
This facility is located 23 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona, approximately 1.5 miles east of Christopher Creek. From Payson, take Highway 260 east for 23 miles. The campground is on the south side of Highway 260.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · PAYSON ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMogollon Campground
3 mi straight-line · Overgaard ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFr 9350 Campground
3 mi straight-line · ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCrook Campground
3 mi straight-line · ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceAspen (Az)
4 mi straight-line · Arizona
Trip Card — Sharp Creek
PAYSON · Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | PAYSON · Arizona · Tonto National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 120 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 20 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233898 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.