Campground

Christopher Creek

Tonto National Forest · PAYSON · Arizona — managed by USDA Forest Service

Books out fast — 3 of 4 weekends we sampled are sold out
Christopher Creek campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · USFS

Weekend availability at Christopher Creek

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 13, 5:05 AM PT

Sold out 5 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Sold out
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Limited
    1/36 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Sold out

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Christopher Creek?

as of September 14

Weekends book out well ahead here — 3 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Christopher Creek and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 19Sold out
Oct 3Sold out
Oct 17Sold out
Oct 31Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 14Open
Oct 28Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
44
Electric sites
1
Max rig length
22 ft
Standard No Hookup

About this campground

Overview With an elevation of 5640 ft, Christopher Creek Campground's crisp, fresh air and vibrant views are a joy to behold. The campground is tucked along the banks of the spring-fed Christopher Creek, which passes just below the Mogollon Rim. This campground is typically open April-November. 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. Christopher Creek is located in the desert portion, but is balanced by the cool waters of the creek and forested surroundings. Recreation After a day of exploring the natural beauty of Rim Country, sit back and relax in the shaded Ponderosa Pine Forest. Each spring, the creek is stocked with rainbow trout, allowing anglers the opportunity to cast their hearts out for rainbows as well as brook and brown trout. Access the National Recreation Highline trail close by. Facilities The family-friendly campground has 43 sites on both sides of the creek, plus a group site that accommodates a maximum of 25 people. Most sites in this campground are reservable with only a few First come First serve sites, for first-come-first-served customers with payment completed using the on-site fee machine. No cash is accepted.  There is a separate day use/picnic area within the campground. Please note if you park and use this area it is a separate fee, covered under the Tonto Pass program. Natural Features Christopher Creek provides creek side dwelling in Tonto National Forest, at the base of the Mogollon Rim. Sites are surrounded by ponderosa pines, junipers, oaks and manzanita evergreen shrubs. Nearby Attractions The small town of Christopher Creek is just a short drive away and offers a few restaurant options for those who tire of cooking at the campground.. A series of lakes called the Rim Country Lakes are about a 10 minute drive east. Woods Canyon Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state and offers options for boating as well as a nature trail that loops around the lake's perimeter. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900.

Getting there

From Payson, Arizona, take Highway 260 east for 21 miles to the Christopher Creek Campground turnoff. Take Forest Road for 1/4 mile to the campground, Ask host for directions to campsite.

Elevation
5,704 ft
Contact
1111111111
Tonto National Forest office

Activities

  • CAMPING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Christopher Creek

Popular Arizona campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Christopher Creek around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Christopher Creek opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.