## 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][1] 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][2]. Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day &amp; 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 &amp; night. 

[1]: https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app
[2]: https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2024/03/28/20/01/10215894_ffbaf630-f6f4-446c-a696-1c662791030f.pdf

Lower Tonto Creek

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.

Spacious with nice parking.

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.

Close - simple - beautiful

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!!!

Tonto Creek, Beat the heat

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…) 