USDA Forest Service · Arizona
Lower Tonto Creek
USDA Forest Service · Arizona, United States
- Sites
- 13
- Hookups
- 10 with water
- Season
- April 3 to November 2
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,636 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- TONTO CREEK (NFSR 289) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Tonto National Forest
- Phone
- N/A
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
The Lower Tonto Creek Campground is tucked away right next to the main highway just south of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Families may enjoy fishing at both Tonto and Horton Creeks or pass time hiking through nearby Horton Creek Trail or Derrick Trail. The Lower Tonto Creek Campground has a large open-space parking lot and paved walkway makes it accessible with only a light hike to the creek.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you will be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
You will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as this area has limited or no cellular service.
There is no adjacent parking spot to any camp site. Walk-in access only to all campsites (paved sidewalk is provided).
Map to campground here.
Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & night.
Recreation
The union of Tonto and Horton Creeks is at the north end of the Upper Tonto Creek campground. Fishing in both creeks is a popular sport. The trailheads for Horton Creek Trail 285 and Derrick Trail 33 are located in the Upper Tonto Creek campground. Both of these trails access the Highline National Recreation Trail (#31
Natural Features
Located just South of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Campsites are dotted along a paved sidewalk surrounded by tall Pines, situated just next to Tonto Creek.
Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & night.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 31° | 9° | 64° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 51° | 32° | 8° | 69° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 57° | 35° | 6° | 83° | 8 of 11 |
| April | 67° | 42° | 28° | 81° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 76° | 50° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 88° | 62° | 49° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 91° | 67° | 59° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 85° | 63° | 55° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 82° | 60° | 47° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 71° | 47° | 36° | 86° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 64° | 40° | 22° | 75° | 4 of 10 |
| December | 54° | 33° | 4° | 69° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Upper Tonto Creek · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 13 sites
- Ponderosa (Az) · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 52 sites
- Ponderosa Group Site · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Christopher Creek · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 44 sites
- Sharp Creek · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 20 sites
All public campgrounds in Arizona · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.