Christopher Creek

1009 East Highway 260
PAYSON, AZ

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.

Camp site features

Across 44 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 1 of 44 sites
Fire pit: all 44 sites
Picnic table: all 44 sites
Pets allowed: all 44 sites
Group sites: 1 of 44 sites
Longest RV: 22 ft
Largest party: 10 people
Power up to 30 amps
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From Payson, Arizona, take Highway 260 east for 21 miles to the Christopher Creek Campground turnoff. Take Forest Road for 1/4 mile to the campground, Ask host for directions to campsite.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

471 reviews

5 stars

347

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Jacob J

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Still a nice place after 50 years

Bryan S

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

We have always enjoyed Christopher Creek Campground

Catherine H

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Five stars for Christopher Creek Campground and camp host Sharon! Heavy rains on October 20th flooded the creek bridge, making our original site inaccessible to us. We thought we'd have to cancel our kids' first camping trip, but our camp host, Sharon, completely saved the weekend. She was a total lifesaver and quickly relocated us to a safe, clean spot on Loop A. The campground itself is beautiful and well-maintained. Our site had excellent creek access, clean usable water, a bear-proof cabinet, and great tree cover that actually protected us from a surprise hail storm. Incredible hospitality and a gorgeous location...we highly recommend this spot!

Eberardo R

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

We had an absolutely wonderful camping trip! Although flooding prevented us from accessing our original campsite, our camp host, Sharon, went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. She worked with us to find another campsite where we could stay alongside our friends, making sure our trip could still be everything we had hoped for. Sharon was incredibly kind, friendly, and accommodating throughout our stay. She made us feel genuinely welcome and went out of her way not only for our group but for the other campers as well. We even had the pleasure of inviting her to join us for breakfast, and she was kind enough to let our kids spend some time playing with her dogs. It's not often you come across someone who takes such genuine pride in making sure others have a great experience. Sharon truly made a difference in our trip, and we couldn't be more grateful for her hospitality. We felt very well taken care of from beginning to end. Thank you, Sharon, for going above and beyond! You made an already great camping trip even more memorable. We hope to see you again on our next visit!

Larry R

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Hard to review due to the weather I had to endure. Had to leave early unfortunately.

Yoseline R

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 13 days ago

Lovely campground! It gets a bit noisy at night because of the highway, but other than that no complaints. Clean campground and bathrooms, spacious campsites, good host. I look forward to returning.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve