Arizona · published-coordinate region

Lower Tonto Creek

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USDA Forest Service
9Supported overnight records
1Published site categories
9Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.

A closer look at the campground

Overview The Lower Tonto Creek Campground is tucked away right next to the main highway just south of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Families may enjoy fishing at both Tonto and Horton Creeks or pass time hiking through nearby Horton Creek Trail or Derrick Trail. The Lower Tonto Creek Campground has a large open-space parking lot and paved walkway makes it accessible with only a light hike to the creek.  This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only.   Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you will be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.  You will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as this area has limited or no cellular service.  There is no adjacent parking spot to any camp site. Walk-in access only to all campsites (paved sidewalk is provided).  Map to campground here. Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & night. Recreation 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. The trailheads for Horton Creek Trail 285 and Derrick Trail 33 are located in the Upper Tonto Creek campground. Both of these trails access the Highline National Recreation Trail (#31 Natural Features Located just South of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Campsites are dotted along a paved sidewalk surrounded by tall Pines, situated just next to Tonto Creek.  Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & night.

Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site

How much is documented?

Reported fields across the 9 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.

Party limit
9
Vehicle limit
9
Vehicle length
0
Driveway entry
0
Shade
0

Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.

The campsite mix

Walk To
9

Operator directions

This site is 15 miles northeast of Payson. From Payson, travel 15 miles east on State Hwy. 260. Just east of mile marker 269 at Kohl’s Ranch, turn left (north) on Forest Road (FR) 289.

Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.

THE ACTUAL SITES

9 published campsite records

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Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.

View all 9 published site records
Select a site number to check its official current details
SITE / LOOPTYPEEQUIPMENT LIMITSPEOPLE / VEHICLESDRIVEWAYELECTRIC / SHADE
Site 001
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 002
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 003
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 004
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 005
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 006
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 007
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 008
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported
Site 009
Lower Tonto Creek
Source updated: 2025-12-03
Walk To
Tent: limit unknown
Vehicle: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
10 people
2 vehicles
N/A
0 (raw length)
N/A
Shade: Not reported

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Straight-line distances between campground points, not driving distance or route advice.