Established Camping
Sharp Creek
Sharp Creek, near Payson, Arizona, is a charming campground tucked away in the Tonto National Forest, perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape. With spacious sites and a friendly atmosphere, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy nature.
The campground is known for its cleanliness and well-maintained facilities, including vault toilets and drinking water. Campers have praised the camp hosts for their helpfulness and dedication to keeping the grounds in top shape. One visitor noted, “The camp hosts are friendly, informative, and take great care of the grounds.”
For outdoor lovers, Sharp Creek offers easy access to beautiful hiking trails and nearby lakes, ideal for fishing and exploring. While the creek may run dry during the summer, it transforms into a picturesque waterfall during the rainy season, adding to the campground's charm. Families appreciate the spaciousness, allowing kids to roam and explore safely.
Though there are no electric hookups or showers, the campground provides a cozy, rustic experience. Campers can enjoy campfires and the surrounding natural beauty, making it a fantastic spot for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Sharp Creek is a welcoming retreat for anyone looking to connect with the great outdoors.
Description
Overview
Sharp Creek is a small campground located in an area of central Arizona known for its pleasant temperatures, spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation. There are tent-only, family and group sites to accommodate a wide range of visitors.
Recreation
The campground is in a central location for hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking. Anglers can try for trout in nearby Christopher Creek. Hikers can access the historic Highline National Recreational Trail, which runs for 51 miles along the base of the Mogollon Rim, from the 260 Trail three miles east of the campground. Two lakes nearby offer additional fishing and boating options.
Facilities
Sharp Creek is a small campground with 28 campsites conveniently spread out into 3 loops. Campsites are spacious, comfortable and well-maintained, with some shade. Each has a picnic table, grill, campfire ring and lantern holder. One additional loop contains three group campsites that can each accommodate 75 people. 19 Sites are reservable and 9 sites are first-come, first-serve. Payment for first-come, first-serve sites is completed using the on-site fee machine or with the mobile app using scan & pay. No cash is accepted.
Natural Features
Sharp Creek sits at a cool 6,000 feet elevation, perfect for escaping the desert heat of southern Arizona and getting away to shaded forests and refreshing creeks and lakes. It is surrounded by a thick ponderosa pine forest below the Mogollon Rim. The clear waters of Christopher Creek are less than a mile away. 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 feet 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.
Nearby Attractions
The small town of Christopher Creek is less than a mile away and has a few restaurant and shopping options for basic conveniences. Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lakes sit above the Mogollon Rim, only a 10-minute drive away, and offer boating and fishing.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900.
Location
Sharp Creek is located in Arizona
Directions
This facility is located 23 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona, approximately 1.5 miles east of Christopher Creek. From Payson, take Highway 260 east for 23 miles. The campground is on the south side of Highway 260.
Coordinates
34.2997222 N
110.9980556 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 users
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 users- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
Detours Nearby
Old Rim Road Dispersed Site
5 min away
Mogollon Rimn Dispersed, AZ FR 9350
18 min away
Drive Time
- 1 hr 51 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 1 hr 52 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 2 hrs 2 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 9 min from Tucson, AZ
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 users
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 users
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
