Arizona · Camping · Near Blue Ridge

Upper Tonto Creek

from $20
fee
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Upper Tonto Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Upper Tonto Creek, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

  • At 5,543 ft
  • Payson Ranger DistrictTonto National Forest

Upper Tonto Creek is a Forest Service campground in the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona. It sits on land managed by the Forest Service, and the nearest town is Payson. The site is a simple base for exploring the surrounding trails. Vault toilets are the only facility listed, and a fee is charged for stays. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Pleasant Valley weather station show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 72°F, while July and August average highs near 88°F with more wet days. Two trails start right at the campground: Derrick Trail #33 and Horton Creek Trail #285, both about 0.1 mile away. Lower Tonto Creek campground is about 0.6 mile off, and the Confluence Wall climbing area is about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Upper Tonto Creek

    Campground

    The next 3 weekends are full on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Double D Bar & Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Blue Ridge

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Upper Tonto Creek

    Best months: March–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

      53° / 25°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      56° / 27°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      61° / 31°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      76° / 42°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 49°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 59°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 59°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 40°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 30°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 25°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pleasant Valley, AZ, 18 mi away at 5,183 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Upper Tonto Creek

Book on Recreation.gov

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