4.54321 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Open from April 1 - ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Open from April 1 - ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Upper Canyon Creek Campground
1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541
Fly fishers and lure anglers who self-supply water will find the stocked Canyon Creek trout fishery (four-trout limit, artificials only) worth the drive. Midweek summer visits at this elevation run mid-60s to low-80s days and cool 40s nights, a real escape from Phoenix-area heat.
No potable water on-site and Payson is 41 miles away, so if hauling all your own water sounds like a dealbreaker, this isn't the trip. Trailers over 16 feet can't navigate the sites, and the unpaved FR 512 and FR 33 access roads require four-wheel drive after rain or snow.
Reference information about Upper Canyon Creek Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><img alt="Upper Canyon Creek" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd516607.jpg" style="width: 518px; height: 499px;" /></p><p>The campground of dispersed units is set in a mature stand of Ponderosa pine with a mix of white and Douglas fir. Canyon Creek is popular among anglers fishing for rainbow trout. Wildlife includes: Abert squirrel, black bear.</p><p><b>Pack It In, Pack It Out</b></p>
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Summer brings the best conditions. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low-80s°F, with nights dropping into the 40s–50s°F. The cooler mountain air at this elevation offers relief from lower-desert heat. Long daylight and mild temperatures suit fishing, wildlife watching, and tent camping. The dense canopy provides extra shade. Weekends see moderate crowds; midweek is quieter. Winter nights can drop into the teens, limiting access and comfort.
Best conditions in summer; pleasant highs mid-60s to low-80s and most popular season.
Upper Canyon Creek Campground offers a rustic and natural camping experience with basic amenities. The campground features restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings at each designated dispersed campsite. Potable water is not available, and campers must pack out all trash as there are no trash services available. The campground operates with a "pack it in, pack it out" policy. Trailers over 16 feet are not suitable due to the dispersed nature of the sites and road conditions. Campsites are shaded by mature stands of Ponderosa pine, white fir, and Douglas fir, providing a tranquil and scenic environment.
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