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Established Camping

Lower Tonto Creek

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

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.

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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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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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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
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups

Contact

General Info


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Reviews

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5 Reviews

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
Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Great spot!

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

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
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
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

What are the facilities available at Lower Tonto Creek Campground?

Lower Tonto Creek Campground offers several amenities for a comfortable outdoor experience. The facilities include designated fire rings, picnic tables, and spaces for setting up tents. There are toilet facilities on-site, and the campground is dog-friendly, which is great for campers traveling with pets. The campground has plenty of trees for hammock setup and provides covered areas for food preparation. Note that this is not a free campground - there is a $20 per night fee. Be prepared for some road noise as the campground is located close to the main road.

How do I get to Lower Tonto Creek Campground from Kohls Ranch?

From Kohls Ranch, follow the main road toward Tonto Creek. The drive is relatively short and straightforward. You'll want to look for specific Lower Tonto Creek Campground signs, as there are multiple Tonto Creek camping areas in the vicinity which can be confusing for first-time visitors. The campground is accessible by regular vehicles, making it easy to reach even if you're arriving close to sunset. For the most current directions, consider checking with the local ranger district before your trip.

What fishing opportunities are available near Tonto Creek Campground?

Tonto Creek offers excellent trout fishing opportunities right near the campground. The Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery is located just up the road and is worth visiting during your stay. The hatchery maintains several large rectangular feeding ponds with thousands of rainbow trout separated by size, including some impressive three-foot specimens in the storage pond. This proximity to the hatchery contributes to the quality fishing experience in the creek itself. Anglers specifically target the area for its trout fishing, making it a popular destination for camping trips centered around fishing activities.

What's the difference between Upper and Lower Tonto Creek Campgrounds?

The main difference is their location along Tonto Creek, with Lower Tonto Creek positioned downstream from Upper Tonto Creek. Upper Tonto Creek tends to fill up more quickly with campers, while Lower Tonto offers a better chance of finding available sites. Lower Tonto Creek Campground has more spacious campsites and is typically less crowded. The campground settings differ slightly - Lower Tonto has plenty of trees for shade and hammock setup. Some campers prefer Lower Tonto because the campsites seem more spread out, offering better privacy compared to Upper Tonto Creek.