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Sharp Creek Campground and Group Sites
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. It is surrounded by a thick ponderosa pine forest below the Mogollon Rim. The clear waters of Christopher Creek are less than a mile away. 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 feet 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.
Sharp Creek Group Campground is popular for large groups. Weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries and more may be hosted at the group sites. Each group site has a designated vault bathroom with paved parking lot for friends and families to visit for the day. A large open field is shared in the middle of the group sites to hold mini games for families.
There are more secluded campsites offering privacy and tranquility for smaller families on the other side of Sharp Creek Campground. These campsites are spread out with several back-in and pull-through sites for RVs. Review At-A-Glance below for more details about this site.
Recreation: The campground is in a central location for hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking. Anglers can try for trout in nearby Christopher Creek. Hikers can access the historic Highline National Recreational Trail, which runs for 51 miles along the base of the Mogollon Rim, from the 260 Trail three miles east of the campground. Two lakes nearby offer additional fishing and boating options.
Facilities: Sharp Creek is a small campground with 28 campsites conveniently spread out into three loops. Campsites are spacious, comfortable and well-maintained, with some shade. Each has a picnic table, grill, campfire ring and lantern holder. An additional loop contains three group campsites that can each accommodate 75 people. A group picnic shelter is available as well.
Nearby Attractions: The small town of Christopher Creek is less than a mile away and has a few restaurant and shopping options for basic conveniences. Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lakes sit above the Mogollon Rim, only a 10-minute drive away, and offer boating and fishing.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | No firewood sales and no dump station. On-site automatic fee machine (no cash or checks accepted). |
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| Reservations: | Reservations can be made by visiting Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for standard sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. |
| Fees: |
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| Open Season: | April - October |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Payson, Star Valley |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Passes: |
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| Information Center: | Payson Ranger District (928) 474-7900 |
General Information
Directions:GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
34.29972, -110.99806
34°17'59"N, 110°59'53"W
This facility is located 23 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona, approximately 1.5 miles east of Christopher Creek. From Payson, take Highway 260 east for 23 miles. The campground is on the south side of Highway 260.
Parking:
Second vehicle charge of $8 per night is required if applicable. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine.
Accessibility:
Some campsites available with accessible features such as a hardened surface & clear, open ground.
Activities
Campground Camping
Check-in time is 2 p.m.; check-out time is 1 p.m. Two tents maximum per campsite.
| No. of Sites | 28 |
| Reservation Info | To make reservations, please call Reserve America: 1-877-444-6777 or at Recreation.gov. |
| Fire Information | Campfire rings available. Firewood can be purchased on-site for $7.00 per bundle |
| No. of Accessible sites | 28 |
| Usage: | No dump station at campground. Closest dump station is at Ponderosa Campground. |
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RV Camping
Group Camping
River and Stream Fishing
Picnicking
Alerts & Warnings
- 03-12-03-24-57 Whitlow Fire Emergency Closure Order Reduction
- 03-12-02-24-51 Oak Flat Ceremonial Closure
- 03-12-04-24-04 Colcord Campground Public Safety Closure
- 03-12-03-24-52 Forest Road 287 Area Closure
- 03-12-01-24-53 Jojoba Boat Launch Temporary Closure
- 03-12-03-24-50 Siphon Fire Trails Closure Order
- 03-12-03-24-47_Boulder Fishing Pier Temporary Closure
- 03-12-01-24-45 Wildcat Reduction Closure Order
- 03-12-00-24-43 West Fire Emergency Closure
- Equestrian Users Please Be Aware
- 03-12-06-24-27 Tonto Creek Crossing Road Closures
- 03-12-03-24-13 State Route 88 FishCreek Closure
- Federal Holiday: offices closed Monday, October 14.
- 03-12-00-23-36 Target Type Restrictions Order
- Amended - Apache Lake Closure - Lower Burnt Corral Campground remains closed
- Bald Eagle Seasonal Closures
- Occupancy and Use Restrictions
- Update on State Route 88 (Apache Trail) - August 18, 2021
- Redmond Fire Road Closure