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Established Camping

Sharp Creek

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

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.

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Location

Sharp Creek is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

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

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park 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

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed May. 16, 2025

Quick stay in Tonto

Wonderful campground. We used our national park pass for a discount. Potable water hookups if you’re running low. We got there after office closing hours, but the site has a kiosk for after hours tickets. Very quiet, woodsy and peaceful. Burn restrictions are in effect at this time, but make sure you check when you arrive. The rv sites include picnic table, lantern hook, grill and fire pit.

Site26
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Clean, quiet, close to plenty

Great, quiet little campsite in immaculate condition. The camp hosts are friendly, informative, and take great care of the grounds. There are vault toilets available close to all sites, and clean running water available as well. The creek was dry while we were here, due to a dry summer, but there's a little waterfall behind the sites during rainier weather. We'll be back!

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Susanne C., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Susanne C., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Susanne C., July 9, 2021
Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Fantastic!!!

This is our favorite payson area campground!!! Large, disbursed spots. If you want space and quiet, this it your place!

Site12
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Feb. 3, 2021

Beautiful Clean Campground Near Lakes

We stayed here summer of 2020. It was a wonderful trip and we absolutely loved the campground. It was pretty full but it still felt like you had plenty of your own space. The woods surrounding were beautiful and peaceful. Our two young children loved running around and exploring.

It was a dry summer and fire restrictions were in place. There was also a fire in northern AZ that made it a bit smoky, but not too bad. It was unfortunate we couldn’t have a campfire but we made do. The cam hosts were very friendly and kept the vault toilet and area very clean. The campground was close to two beautiful lakes just a short drive away great for fishing. We were in space 021, Juniper Loop. It was beautiful and we would definitely stay there again.

  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Ashley S., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Ashley S., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Ashley S., February 3, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2019

Solid campground

Pretty nice campground, especially with the paved roads for the bikes. It also has a cool creek within a short hike, about 1.5 miles round trip. Overall a nice campground but not necessarily some place I’d go back. Mainly because the lack of shade in the space we were in and a few around us.

  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Emily Z., September 10, 2019
  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Emily Z., September 10, 2019
Reviewed May. 31, 2019

Fantastic Campground

We love the Sharp Creek Campground. It is very clean and level and the hosts are very nice and helpful. No hookups but can dump at Ponderosa a few minutes away. They do have water available for RVs on site. Overall, one of our favorites.

  • Review photo of Sharp Creek by Bob S., May 31, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sharp Creek Campground located near Payson?

Sharp Creek Campground is located in the scenic woods near Payson, Arizona. The campground sits in a beautiful forested area that offers peaceful surroundings and natural beauty. There's a creek within a short hiking distance (about 1.5 miles round trip) from the campground, though water levels may vary seasonally. The campground features paved roads, making it easy to navigate and great for bikes. It's relatively close to Ponderosa Campground, which is just a few minutes away.

How much does it cost to camp at Sharp Creek Campground?

Sharp Creek Campground offers affordable camping with standard nightly fees. The National Parks Pass can be used for a discount on camping fees. For those arriving after office hours, there's a convenient kiosk available for after-hours payment. To get the most current fee information and payment options, it's recommended to check with the Tonto National Forest or call the campground directly before your visit, as rates may change seasonally or annually.

What do reviews say about Sharp Creek Campground?

Sharp Creek Campground is highly regarded for its cleanliness, level sites, and friendly, helpful hosts who maintain the grounds immaculately. Campers appreciate the spacious, dispersed sites that offer privacy even when the campground is full. The surrounding woods create a peaceful atmosphere perfect for exploration, especially for families with children. While most sites are well-designed, some may have limited shade. The campground is noted for being quiet and well-maintained with paved roads that are great for biking.

Are there photos available of Sharp Creek Campground?

Yes, photos of Sharp Creek Campground are available online. These images typically showcase the campground's spacious sites, paved roads, surrounding forest, and natural setting. The campground features beautiful wooded areas, camping spots with varying levels of shade, and nearby creek access. For the most current and comprehensive collection of photos, check the official Forest Service website or camping platforms like The Dyrt where visitors share their experiences through images.