Arizona · Camping

Sharp Creek Group

Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Sharp Creek Group open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Sharp Creek Group, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Payson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 5,396 ft
  • Payson Ranger DistrictTonto National Forest

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. The operating season is April-October. 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. 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.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Sharp Creek Group

    Best months: February–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      54° / 30°

    2. Feb

      57° / 32°

    3. Mar

      64° / 36°

    4. Apr

      70° / 41°

    5. May

      79° / 48°

    6. Jun

      88° / 58°

    7. Jul

      91° / 65°

    8. Aug

      89° / 62°

    9. Sep

      84° / 57°

    10. Oct

      74° / 46°

    11. Nov

      63° / 36°

    12. Dec

      53° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Natural Brg, AZ, 3.7 mi away at 4,608 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Facts about this campground

Rules & access

Fee
No fee

Source: USDA Forest Service recreation sites (EDW)

Sharp Creek Group

Book on Recreation.gov

Reserve