Payson Ranger Station 474-7900
1009 E Hwy 260 (1 mile east)
rPayson, AZ 85541

Other Districts for Campground Information:

• Pleasant Valley Area 462-3311
• Happy Jack (Long Valley) 527-3640
• Heber (Willow Springs Lakes) 535-4481
• Apache-Sitgreaves 289-2471 (for Woods Canyon Rec. Area)

Semi-Developed Campgrounds
(May or may not provide water, parking, or toilet facilities.)

Developed Campgrounds A fee is charged for the following campgrounds. Check the Campground Fee Schedule for amount. Also, reservations are required for campgrounds on the Rim. Call the National Forest Recreation Reservation System (800) 280-2267.

Houston Mesa Road: Hwy 87 two miles north of Payson. Turn right on Houston Mesa Road. Within nine miles, several campgrounds are available: 1st Crossing-Water wheel-2nd Crossing-3rd Crossing-& Verde Glen.

Flowing Springs Road: 3 miles north of Payson. Right ½ mile on Forest Rd. 272.

East Verde Crossing Picnic Grounds: 5 miles north of Payson and left on Forest Rd. 622.

Ponderosa Campgrounds:15 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260. Open mid-May through mid-Sept. Paved roads and spurs, picnic tables, fire pits and grills. Drinking water, vault toilets & garbage collection. Dump station (fee charged).

Christopher Creek Campground:21 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260, 43 campsites, tables, fire pits, grills, handicapped access toilets & other vault toilets. Roads & spurs are paved. Drinking water and trash collection. Creek runs through middle of campground. Cool spot for wading and fishing.

Lower Tonto Creek Campground:Open year round. No services after Labor Day. 16 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260 to Forest Rd. 289.17 sites. Tables, fire pits, grills, and toilets. Roads are not paved. Trailers up to 16 ft. only. Trout fishing in Tonto Creek.

Upper Tonto Creek Campground:17 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260 to Forest Rd. 289, 9 sites. Tables, fire pits, grills, drinking water, vault toilets, and garbage collection. Some sites accommodate trailers up to 16 ft. Access to Derrick & Horton Creek trails. Fishing on Tonto and Horton Creeks. Popular Campground.

Group Campgrounds Reservations are required through the National Forest Recreation Reservation System (800) 280-2267.

Ponderosa Group Campground:15 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260, 2 sites. "Juniper" and "Blackjack". Each accommodates up to 50 people. Picnic tables, fire pit, grills, piped water, vault toilets, and trash collection. Each parking area accommodates up to 13 vehicles. Locked gate.

Christopher Creek Group Campground: 21 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260. Accommodates up to 25 people with parking for 6 vehicles. Tables, fire pits, grills, vault toilets, piped water and trash collection.