Christopher Creek Campground and Group Site

Christopher Creek Campground is one of the most popular sites on Payson Ranger District. Developed campgrounds with picnic tables, grills and designated fire pits may be reserved for large families to spend quality time together. Campers may pass the time listening to ambient sounds of foliage fluttering in the breeze and the creek flowing in the distance.

With an elevation over a mile-high (5640 ft), Christopher Creek Campground's crisp, fresh air and vibrant views are a joy to behold. The facility is tucked along the banks of the spring-fed Christopher Creek, which passes just below the Mogollon Rim.

The Mogollon Rim, pronounced by locals as "muggy-own," is a 200-mile-long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 ft in elevation. The unique landscape was created by extreme erosion and faulting that has sculpted spectacular canyons and buttes. The rim serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below. Christopher Creek is in the desert portion, but is balanced by the cool waters of the creek and forested surroundings.

Natural Features: Christopher Creek provides creek side dwelling in Tonto National Forest, at the base of the Mogollon Rim. Sites are surrounded by ponderosa pines, junipers, oaks and manzanita evergreen shrubs.

Recreation: After a day of horseback riding or mountain biking, take a dip to cool off from the summer sun. Each spring, the creek is stocked with rainbow trout, allowing anglers the opportunity to cast their hearts out for rainbows as well as brook and brown trout.

Facilities: The family-friendly campground has 43 sites on both sides of the creek, plus a group site that accommodates a maximum of 25 people.

Nearby Attractions: The small town of Christopher Creek is just a short drive away and offers a few restaurant options for those who tire of cooking at the campground. A series of lakes called the Rim Country Lakes are about a 10-minute drive east. Woods Canyon Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state and offers options for boating as well as a nature trail that loops around the lake's perimeter.

Current Conditions

Open Season: April - October

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

April 1 - April 14, all sites are first come, first serve.
April 15 - October 31, reservations are to be made on Recreation.gov.

Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for the standard sites and 12 months in advance for the group site.

General Information

No off-road vehicles allowed.
Bear activity has increased due to drought conditions.
For more information please visit Be Bear Aware.org.

Open Season:

April - October

Check in: 2:00 p.m.; Check-out: 12:00 p.m.; Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.

The links below provide additional information on purchasing information.

Tonto Fee Machine Pass for Camping passes. Fee Machine located in Campground. Debit or Credit only.
Tonto Daily Pass (and Watercraft Sticker, if required). Available at Tonto National Forest Offices and retail vendors (please call for availability).
Tonto Discovery Pass. Available at Tonto National Forest Offices.
America the Beautiful Pass. Available at Tonto National Forest Offices and online at USGS.gov.

14-day stay limit.
The group site accommodates a maximum of 25 people.
No firewood sales and no dump station.
On-site automatic fee machine (no cash or checks accepted).
No OHV recreational riding within the campground.
Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a leash.
Please use trash receptacles or pack it in, pack it out.
All campgrounds have posted Rules & Regulations at entrance kiosks. Please read and observe all rules.
Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).

Overnight Use:
Standard site: $24 per night
Group site: $80 per night

Automatic fee machine is available on site located in the Day Use Area, please follow the instructions.
$24 per night for standard sites; $80 per night for group site.
*America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive 50% discount (persons oer 62 or have a permanent disability) for single camp units only.

Contact Name: Payson Ranger District

Contact Phone: (928) 474-7900

Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541
Phone: (928) 474-7900
Hours: Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.) Passes, permits and products not sold after 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 34.3083147

Longitude: -111.0371849

Elevation

5,600 Feet

Directions

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
34.30806, -111.03472
34°18'29"N, 111°2'5"W

From Payson, Arizona, take Highway 260 east for 21 miles to the Christopher Creek Campground turnoff. Take Forest Road for 1/4 mile to the campground, Ask host for directions to campsite.

View and download a map.