This facility does not offer advance online reservation inventory for Campsite Sniper to monitor, and Campsite Sniper cannot determine real-time physical vacancy. Sites are claimed in person on arrival.
9 monitored sites: 9 first-come, first-served.
First-come, first-served — no advance reservations
About Lower Tonto Creek
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 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 .
Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & 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 & night.
Getting there
This site is 15 miles northeast of Payson. From Payson, travel 15 miles east on State Hwy. 260. Just east of mile marker 269 at Kohl’s Ranch, turn left (north) on Forest Road (FR) 289.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Lower Tonto Creek?
Lower Tonto Creek operates on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Campsite Sniper does not have real-time on-site vacancy information for this facility; visitors claim sites in person on arrival.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
First-come, first-served
This facility does not offer advance online reservation inventory for Campsite Sniper to monitor, and Campsite Sniper cannot determine real-time physical vacancy. Sites are claimed in person on arrival. For arrival rules, season dates and current conditions, check the facility's page on Recreation.gov.
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