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Camping

Established Camping

Lower Tonto Creek

5 Reviews

About

National Forest

Tonto National Forest

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.

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups

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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Alyssia I.
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2021

Camp for one night

Really close to the road so lot of noise.

Not free.. 20$ for the night (we didn’t know)

Nice equipment (toilet, Place for fire, space for tidy up the food, table..) lot of tree to put your hammock, Close from some nice hike (Horton creek trail…)

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Alyssia I., September 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Alyssia I., September 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Alyssia I., September 20, 2021
Andy K.
Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Great spot!

Love camping here!  Great trout fishing and the hatchery is right up the road.

C
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

Spacious with nice parking.

To start off there is Upper Tonto Creek, Lower Tonto Creek and Tonto Creek and it is all a bit confusing. We originally had plans to go to Upper Tonto Creek but when we arrived it was full so were able to find Tonto Creek just a bit lower. I actually like Tonto Creek better as the campgrounds seem a little bit more spacious and the parking lot is huge, paved and is a dedicated space. With Upper Tonto Creek you essentially have to park on the dirt next to your tent and the campgrounds are closer together. The only real benefit is that it is a little closer to Horton Creek Trail.

As you can see in the pictures we caught some excellent skies in July 2018. All in all it is a great site but I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 because it is really close to the 260 and there is a decent amount of road noise. Expect semis and motorcycles to wake you up in the night.

  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Cameron A., August 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Cameron A., August 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Cameron A., August 1, 2018
  • (12) View All

Location

Lower Tonto Creek is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

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.

Coordinates

34.332549 N
111.097312 W

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