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Recreation Region: Payson Ranger District

Horton

Horton Day Use Site has six picnic units and is located three miles south of the Arizona Game & Fish Department Tonto Hatchery. This is also the main access point for the Horton Springs trail. Visitors are welcome and they offer a self-guided tour. Trout fishing in both Tonto Creek and Horton Creek is a popular pastime.

General Information

  • No trash service
  • PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT!!
  • Carry an adequate supply of drinking water. One gallon per person per day is recommended during hot periods.
  • Do not drink untreated water. Giardiais, a protozoan, could be in many water impoundments and streams.

Year-round

Day use only; no overnight camping allowed

No fees are required for this site

A image of the Payson Ranger Station

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: 34.339968

Longitude: -111.096156

Elevation

5,600 feet

Directions

Horton Day-Use Site & Upper Tonto Creek Campground: Travel 17 miles east of Payson on State Hwy. 260. Just east of Mile Marker #269 at Kohl’s Ranch, turn left (north) on Forest Road (FR) 289. Travel one mile north to these sites. Hike upstream. View and download a map.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Last updated March 29, 2025