Payson Ranger District
The Payson Ranger District just outside the Phoenix metro area has beautiful ponderosa pines, and includes the East Verde River and Highline Trail.
General Information
The Payson Ranger District is located on all four sides of the town of Payson and continues north to the Mogollon Rim. It consists of approximately 450,000 acres (approximately 182,000 hectares) of Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper, and Ponderosa Pine types of vegetation. Many recreationists visit this District looking to relax and escape the heat, participating in activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, OHV riding, and camping. Many developed campgrounds are available throughout the District and can reach capacity during the busy summer months. Hunting is also a common activity during hunting seasons.
The Highline Trail is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking on this District.
Trails
For a full list of trails, please click here or for more information or contact the appropriate Ranger Station on the forest.
Complexes
Developed campgrounds with picnic tables, grills and designated fire pits may be reserved for large families to spend quality time together.
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.
Houston Mesa Campground is located in the forested northern section of Tonto National Forest, just one mile north of Payson, Arizona and less than two hours from Phoenix.&n
Ponderosa pine trees surround and tower over open-space campgrounds, providing cool shade and gorgeous vistas.
Christopher Creek Campground is one of the most popular sites on Payson Ranger District.
There are numerous activities to explore in the Upper Tonto Creek Campgrounds.
The Tonto Creek Campground has a large open-space parking lot and paved walkway makes it accessible with only a light hike to the creek.
Sharp Creek sits at a cool 6,000 feet elevation, perfect for escaping the desert heat of southern Arizona and getting away to shaded forests and refreshing creeks and lakes
Fishing, picnicking and water activities are available along the East Verde River.
Set in the shade of tall pine trees, this recreation area is perfect for any day trip that you have planned.
This day use area offers many pastoral scenes and interesting rock formations.
Set in the shade of tall pine trees, East Verde Picnic is perfect for any day trip that you have planned.
Recreation Sites
Abbey's Way 151
Bob Bear Trailhead
Christopher Creek Campground and Group Site
Derrick Trailhead
East Verde Picnic
First, Second, Third Crossings and Water Wheel
Flowing Springs
Horton
Houston Mesa Campground and Equestrian Sites
Lower Tonto Creek Campground