Convenient and easy to use.
Getting There: easy as pie. One hour and forty-five minutes from Tempe. From the Phoenix area, take Hwy 87 to Payson, then east on Hwy 260. Go about 16 miles to FR 289, and turn left (north). You’ll see signs for Tonto Creek Recreation Area and the Hatchery. The Campground is one mile up the road, on your right, just before the bridge.
Rating: 7/10
Photo: She wants to know if she can explore the creek without getting her pants wet or her feet muddy. Weeell…no. I am happy to report that she did it anyway.
What I liked the most: Kid-friendly campground space. The terrain and layout of the campsites made it easy to keep an eye on the rugrats as they explored. The campsites are laid out in a “Y” shape, rather than a loop, so there was no traffic at the end of the Y, where we were. Also, it’s a very small campground, only 9 sites, so it feels intimate and cozy. Finally, it is very close to Tonto Creek and Horton Creek (although Horton was dry when I was there in mid September). It is a 5-10 minute walk (with 3 kids) to Tonto creek, where you can splash around and explore, but not fully immerse.
Photo: beautiful evening in this roomy campsite.
Shortcomings: FR 289 is very close to the campground and has traffic pretty much all day long. Even though it’s not super busy, some of the trucks and ATVs are pretty loud. Also, the creek is close, but you can’t really see it from most of the campsites.
Favorite Site: number 5. It’s spacious and feels very open.
Amenities: drinking water (tasted great! In fact, a friend we were camping with bottled some up to take home!), toilets, fire rings, picnic tables.
Hikes & strolls: for the kids: scrambling up the creek bed is always a favorite, of course. Besides that, the Horton Springs Trail (trailhead near the first few campsites) offers something for all ages. After you cross the Horton Creek bed (which was dry when I was there) and get up the hill from that, it is pretty flat for a mile or so. You’ll soon come to the first gate and then to a second one after about 25 minutes at 5 year old pace (that includes stopping for every bug, flower and bird). Once you go through the second gate, there are several places to access the creek and I saw many prime picnic spots. At this point, Horton creek is above ground (or that’s how it was when I was there), so splashing and mud are available. This is a good hike for kids, as it’s close and mostly flat (one or two small hills).
Photo: The usual suspects…Hours of fun!
For older kids or adults, take the Horton Springs Trail to the Spring for which the creek is named. Eight miles round trip. The trail becomes quite rocky, so it would be tough for young kids, but the uphill is not too severe. I tried to make it up on my mountain bike and had to ditch it about half way—too many big rocks and not enough dirt. However, once I got to the spring I was blown away. It is awesome to see water flowing out of a pile of rocks in the mountain side. Just amazing. If there’s someone else in your party who can watch your kids for a few hours, do this hike. I was able to get right up to the place where the spring emanates from a crack between two boulders and I felt that awe for nature that gives you the shivers.
Photo: take the picture and make my coffee, already!
Note: a lot of people visit the fish hatchery four miles up the road, where you can, that’s right, go fishing. I didn’t get a chance to, but it seems worth checking out if that’s your kind of thing.
About trailers: trailers up to about 16 feet are allowed, although they won’t fit at every site.
Open Season: April to October
Campsites are first come, first serve; they are not reservable. Fees: $13/night per unit (as of 2007)
For current conditions and info call the Payson Ranger Station: (928) 474-7900
Website for more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/camping/Payson/UpperTontoCreek.pdf
