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Upper Tonto 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 · 34.33931, -111.09422 · Map |
| Sites | 9 public sites counted from the federal listing — 6 standard nonelectric; 3 picnic |
| 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 9 sites Water hookups at 0 of 9 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 9 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 9 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 | Not reported in the federal data |
| 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 0:00 PM · Out 0:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 10 sites, as reported |
| Phone | N/A |
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 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview The Upper Tonto Creek is a small campground tucked away from the main highway where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. 6 Campsites are available for reservation only.
This location is available only through reservation May 1through November 3rd.
Campground map available here .
Recreation Families may enjoy fishing at both Tonto and Horton Creeks or pass time hiking through nearby Horton Creek Trail or Derrick Trail. Both of these trails access the Highline National Recreation Trail (#31).
Facilities This campground contains 6 campsites, 3 picnic sites, and a double vault toilet.
Natural Features The union of Tonto and Horton Creeks is at the north end of the Upper Tonto Creek campground. Fishing in both creeks is a popular sport.
Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (928) 474-7900.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServicePonderosa (Az)
3 mi straight-line · PAYSON ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceChristopher Creek
4 mi straight-line · PAYSON ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceKnoll Lake Campground
6 mi straight-line · ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceSharp Creek
6 mi straight-line · PAYSON Arizona
Trip Card — Upper Tonto 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 | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 9 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10215934 · 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.