Upper Tonto Creek
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.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 6 |
| picnic | 3 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
6 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 2 | None | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / – | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | None | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / – | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | None | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / – | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | None | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / – | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | None | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / – | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This campground contains 6 campsites, 3 picnic sites, and a double vault toilet.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | April to October |
| Forest | Tonto National Forest |
| Fees | Scan & Pay only accepted (No cash or checks accepted) Download Recreation.gov app (app information) and log into account before heading to campground. See instructions here. $20 per night for standard sites; $38 per night for double campsites. |
| Rules | 14-day stay limit. No OHV recreational riding within the campground. Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a leash. Please use trash receptacles or pack it in, pack it out. All campgrounds have posted Rules & Regulations at entrance kiosks. Please read and observe all rules. Sites are small in this campground so trailers have to be short or only over camper type mounts. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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 town | Payson, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 34.3393° N, 111.0942° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD2 Vincent Rx
10 mi from the campground · 2,258 acres
- PrescribedD2 Sinkhole Rx
12 mi from the campground · 875 acres
- PrescribedD2 Dye Rx
12 mi from the campground · 5,246 acres
- PrescribedTillman Rx
15 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Woods Canyon Dump Station ↗ | 8.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Upper Tonto Creek Campground, Tonto National Forest, Arizona
Worth a stop
- 6.3 miTwo-O-Eight Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.5 miDrew Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.3 miRocky Point Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 11.8 mi
- 12.3 miWillow Springs Lake Fishing And Boating Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miDerrick2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miHorton Creek3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miDerrick Spur0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.7 miBabe Haught1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.9 miHorton Spring1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miHorton Springs0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Tonto National Forest.
- inTonto National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,966,417 acres
- 5.8 miHellsgate Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,457 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Promontory Butte Lookout ComplexStructure · Beaver Park · 5 mi
- Diamond Point Lookout CabinBuilding · Tonto Village · 6.7 mi
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.
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).
Guidebooks for Tonto National Forest and Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Upper Tonto Creek?
Sites at Upper Tonto Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Upper Tonto Creek?
Scan & Pay only accepted (No cash or checks accepted) Download Recreation.gov app (app information) and log into account before heading to campground. See instructions here. $20 per night for standard sites; $38 per night for double campsites.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Upper Tonto Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Upper Tonto Creek open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Upper Tonto Creek have?
13 sites, including 6 standard sites without power and 3 picnic.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Upper Tonto Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Tonto Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Upper Tonto Creek?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14-day stay limit.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Upper Tonto Creek?
Families may enjoy fishing at both Tonto and Horton Creeks or pass time hiking through nearby Horton Creek Trail or Derrick Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Upper Tonto Creek?
Payson, Arizona.
Source: Getting there
What if Upper Tonto Creek is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lower Tonto Creek (0.5 mi, first-come), Ponderosa (3 mi, partly first-come), and Christopher Creek (4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby