Arizona · Hiking · Near Blue Ridge

Horton Spring

Horton SpringPhoto: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.4 mi
round trip
1,129 ft
climb
7,891 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Horton Spring open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Horton Spring, 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.

Horton Spring is an easy hike of about 2.4 miles on the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 1,129 feet, taking you from a low point of roughly 6,758 feet to a high of about 7,891 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 70°F in May to about 76°F in September, with July the warmest at about 83°F. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. Horton Springs Trail #292 lies about 0.7 miles away, and Highline Trail #31 is about 1.1 miles off. For an overnight stay, Upper Tonto Creek and Lower Tonto Creek campgrounds are both within about 3.5 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Upper Tonto Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 2.9 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Blue Ridge
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Horton Spring

    Best months: May–October. 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

      45° / 17°

    2. Feb

      49° / 20°

    3. Mar

      55° / 25°

    4. Apr

      61° / 30°

    5. May

      70° / 38°

    6. Jun

      80° / 47°

    7. Jul

      83° / 55°

    8. Aug

      81° / 53°

    9. Sep

      76° / 46°

    10. Oct

      67° / 34°

    11. Nov

      55° / 24°

    12. Dec

      45° / 17°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blue Ridge Rs, AZ, 18.1 mi away at 6,880 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.

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Horton Springs Trail #292Photo: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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