Upper Tonto Creek
Campground · Arizona · 9 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Tonto National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 9
- Bookable sites
- up to 10
- People per site
- 5,542 ft
- Elevation
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.The facts
- Season: April – October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 9 bookable sites
- 13 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 3 sites for day use only
- Up to 10 people per site
- Loops: Scan and Pay, Upper Tonto Creek
Site types
- 6 Standard Nonelectric
- 4 Management
- 3 Picnic
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, grills.
13 campsites at Upper Tonto Creek
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScanPay 2 | Scan and Pay | Management | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| ScanPay 3 | Scan and Pay | Management | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| ScanPay 4 | Scan and Pay | Management | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| Scanpay 1 | Scan and Pay | Management | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| Upper Tonto Creek | Picnic | — | — | — | — | 10 | ||
| Upper Tonto Creek | Picnic | — | — | — | — | 10 | ||
| Upper Tonto Creek | Picnic | — | — | — | — | 10 | ||
| 1 | Upper Tonto Creek | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 2 | Upper Tonto Creek | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 3 | Upper Tonto Creek | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 4 | Upper Tonto Creek | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 5 | Upper Tonto Creek | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 6 | Upper Tonto Creek | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
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.
34.33931, -111.09422 · 34°20'21.5"N 111°5'39.2"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.3 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 3.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.1 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 Upper Tonto Creek
- Can you reserve a site at Upper Tonto Creek?
- Yes, Upper Tonto Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Upper Tonto Creek have?
- 13 sites in total, of which 9 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Upper Tonto Creek?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Tonto Creek.
- Does Upper Tonto Creek have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Upper Tonto Creek?
- Campfires are allowed at Upper Tonto Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Upper Tonto Creek also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Upper Tonto Creek's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- 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.
- *America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive 50% discount (persons over 62 or living with a permanent disability) for single camp units only.
- $8 for Tonto Pass (Available for Participating Vendors).
- $12 at fee machine.
Restrictions:
- 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.
- Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
Camping near Upper Tonto Creek
- Lower Tonto Creek 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ponderosa (Az) 3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Christopher Creek 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sharp Creek 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mogollon Campground 7.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Horton 0.2 mi · Facility
- Knoll Lake Campground 6 mi · Campground
- Fr 9350 Campground 6.4 mi · Campground
- Knoll Lake 6.4 mi · Facility
- Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area 6.9 mi · Campground
- Carr Lake Trailhead 7 mi · Facility
- Woods Canyon Lake Area Boating Site 8.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone N/A
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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