Christopher Creek
Campground · Arizona · 44 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Tonto National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 44
- Bookable sites
- 22 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 10
- People per site
- 5,704 ft
- Elevation
Overview
With an elevation of 5640 ft, Christopher Creek Campground's crisp, fresh air and vibrant views are a joy to behold. The campground is tucked along the banks of the spring-fed Christopher Creek, which passes just below the Mogollon Rim. This campground is typically open April-November. 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.
Recreation
After a day of exploring the natural beauty of Rim Country, sit back and relax in the shaded Ponderosa Pine Forest. Each spring, the creek is stocked with rainbow trout, allowing anglers the opportunity to cast their hearts out for rainbows as well as brook and brown trout.
Access the National Recreation Highline trail close by.
Facilities
The family-friendly campground has 43 sites on both sides of the creek, plus a group site that accommodates a maximum of 25 people. Most sites in this campground are reservable with only a few First come First serve sites, for first-come-first-served customers with payment completed using the on-site fee machine. No cash is accepted.
There is a separate day use/picnic area within the campground. Please note if you park and use this area it is a separate fee, covered under the Tonto Pass program.
Natural Features
Christopher Creek provides creek side dwelling in Tonto National Forest, at the base of the Mogollon Rim. Sites are surrounded by ponderosa pines, junipers, oaks and manzanita evergreen shrubs.Nearby Attractions
The small town of Christopher Creek is just a short drive away and offers a few restaurant options for those who tire of cooking at the campground.. A series of lakes called the Rim Country Lakes are about a 10 minute drive east. Woods Canyon Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state and offers options for boating as well as a nature trail that loops around the lake's perimeter.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900.The facts
- Season: April – October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 44 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 22 ft
- Up to 10 people per site
- Loops: A, B
Site types
- 44 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: grills.
44 campsites at Christopher Creek
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0010 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0011 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0012 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0013 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0014 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0015 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0016 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0017 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 002 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 003Host | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | Riverfront | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 004Host | A | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | Riverfront | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 005 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 006 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 007 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 008 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 009 | A | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0018 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0019 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0020Host | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0021 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0022 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0023 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0024 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0025 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0026 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0027 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0028 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0029 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0030 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0031 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0032 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0033 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0034 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0035 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0036 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0037 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0038 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0039 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0040 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0041 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0042 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 0043 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| G001 | B | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | — | 22 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Payson, Arizona, take Highway 260 east for 21 miles to the Christopher Creek Campground turnoff. Take Forest Road for 1/4 mile to the campground, Ask host for directions to campsite.
34.30806, -111.03472 · 34°18'29.0"N 111°2'5.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.9 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 4.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Christopher Creek
- Can you reserve a site at Christopher Creek?
- Yes, Christopher Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Christopher Creek have?
- 44 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Christopher Creek?
- 22 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Christopher Creek?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Christopher Creek.
- Does Christopher Creek have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Christopher Creek?
- Campfires are allowed at Christopher Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Christopher Creek also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Christopher Creek's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Automatic fee machine is available on site located in the Day Use Area, please follow the instructions.
- $24 per night for standard sites; $80 per night for group site.
- *America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive 50% discount (persons oer 62 or have a permanent disability) for single camp units only.
Restrictions:
- 14-day stay limit.
- The group site accommodates a maximum of 25 people.
- No firewood sales and no dump station.
- On-site automatic fee machine (no cash or checks accepted).
- 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.
- Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
Camping near Christopher Creek
- Sharp Creek 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lower Tonto Creek 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Upper Tonto Creek 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mogollon Campground 4.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ponderosa (Az) 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Aspen (Az) 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Crook Campground 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fr 9350 Campground 3.7 mi · Campground
- Carr Lake Trailhead 4.2 mi · Facility
- Horton 4.2 mi · Facility
- Woods Canyon Lake Area Boating Site 5.4 mi · Facility
- Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area 5.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-22.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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