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Camping

Established Camping

Lower Tonto Creek

5 Reviews

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from October 2, 2024 through March 31, 2025.

Lower Tonto Creek, near Kohl's Ranch, Arizona, is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without too much fuss. This campground offers a straightforward camping experience with designated sites, making it easy to set up your tent and kick back by the fire.

The area is surrounded by beautiful pine trees, providing a nice shady retreat from the Arizona sun. Visitors have mentioned the close proximity to Tonto Creek, which is perfect for a refreshing dip or some leisurely fishing. As one camper noted, “It’s a great way to beat the heat in the pine trees, relax, lounge in the water, and forget about the time!”

While the campground is conveniently located near Highway 260, which means you might hear some road noise, many appreciate the spacious sites and ample parking. The amenities include a place for campfires and clean restroom facilities, making it a comfortable choice for families and friends alike. Plus, dogs are welcome, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

For those eager to explore, the nearby Horton Creek Trail offers some great hiking opportunities. Whether you're casting a line for trout or just soaking in the scenery, Lower Tonto Creek has a laid-back vibe that makes it a great getaway.

Description

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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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 Kohls Ranch, turn left (north) on Forest Road (FR) 289.

Coordinates

34.332549 N
111.097312 W

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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
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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reviews

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4.0

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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 VisitSeptember
  • 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
Matthew G.
Reviewed Sep. 4, 2017

Tonto Creek, Beat the heat

summer 1week camping in the pines, always have to visit the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery as well, many gigantic 3 foot rainbow trout fishies in the feeding/storage pond, thousands of smaller rainbows seperated by size in one of the many,"Im thinking six", shaded, connected, large rectangular feeding/storage troughs. Just a cool place to stop at, stretch the legs, use the porta johns, and watch some fish! And might as well take a cool dip in the slow flowing, refreshing Tonto Creek, its a great way to beat the heat in the pine trees, relax, lounge in the water, and forget about the time!!!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Matthew G., September 4, 2017
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Matthew G., September 4, 2017
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Matthew G., September 4, 2017
W
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2016

Close - simple - beautiful

My son and I left Mesa around 6:00 PM - we drove up to the campsite - got there just before dark we found an open campsite - we set up our tent started a fire and the enjoyed the evening-

Having such a nice place so close was great - they also allow dogs which is important since my son has two.

The campsite is close to HWY 260 and you do hear the cars passing so if that is a problem you might want to look at going to upper tonto creek campground a couple miles on down the turn off.

The campsite is walking distance to the creek and fishing.

  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Wayne C., August 28, 2016
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Wayne C., August 28, 2016
  • Review photo of Lower Tonto Creek by Wayne C., August 28, 2016
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Lower Tonto Creek have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Lower Tonto Creek has water hookups.

  • Are fires allowed at Lower Tonto Creek?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Lower Tonto Creek, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Lower Tonto Creek?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Lower Tonto Creek. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Lower Tonto Creek, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Lower Tonto Creek?

    There are 13 campsites at Lower Tonto Creek and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts