Christopher Creek ⛺️ Campsite

Christopher Creek

Campsite · Payson, Arizona

▶ Directions
Christopher Creek, Campsite in Payson, Arizona
+ Add a photo · free account

About this stopover

USDA Forest Service campground, 44 sites

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.

Know this place?
Add water, power, price or height limit to help other visitors.
Add details

Location

📍 1009 East Highway 260, Payson, Arizona, United States
🔗 Campsites
🧭 34.3080556, -111.0347222
▶ Open in Google Maps

Plan your trip with Campercation
25,000+ stopovers across 6 countries. Browse free. A free account lets you:
  • Save stops and find them on every device
  • Build trips along your route
  • Review places and add photos
Create free account

Reviews

No reviews yet. Your tip helps the next visitor find a good stop.
Review this place Free account. Sign in

Nearby places

Browse Arizona →

Campsites in Arizona · All stopovers in Arizona

Book on Recreation.gov →

Opens Recreation.gov in a new tab. They take the booking, not us, and we earn nothing on it.

Data source: Recreation.gov View on the source site Information last updated 22 May 2026

Free to browse. Free to save.
Create a free account to save stops and plan trips. PRO adds the full fuel price list, unlimited trips and no ads.