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Lower Tonto Creek Campground in Arizona
Hard to BookNational Forest

Lower Tonto Creek Campground

Tonto National Forest, Arizona

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As of September 2026, Lower Tonto Creek Campground is a campground in Tonto National Forest, Arizona with 13 campsites. Lower Tonto Creek Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Lower Tonto Creek Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Lower Tonto Creek Campground is located at 34.3325° N, 111.0973° W.

Lower Tonto Creek Campground reservations and next available dates

September 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Campsites held at once: 2 campsite(s) held
  • Maximum consecutive stay: 13 consecutive nights
  • Maximum stay: 13 nights
  • Minimum stay: 1 consecutive nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Lower Tonto Creek Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Lower Tonto Creek Campground

At a glance: Setting: Creek · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, hiking.

About Lower Tonto Creek Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Lower Tonto Creek Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Lower Tonto Creek Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

There is no adjacent parking spot to any camp site. Walk-in access only to all campsites (paved sidewalk is provided).

Check in time is 2:00pm and check out time is 11:00am. Quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 6:00am.

This campground is close to Highway 260.

Lower Tonto Creek Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Lower Tonto Creek Campground?

Lower Tonto Creek Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Lower Tonto Creek Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Lower Tonto Creek Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Lower Tonto Creek Campground have?

Lower Tonto Creek Campground has 13 campsites.

More campgrounds in Tonto National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 23 Tonto National Forest campgrounds

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