Christopher Creek Campground, Payson, AZ

Christopher Creek Campground is located in the Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest (2 hrs 2 min northeast of Scottsdale, AZ) with an elevation of 5,706 feet. There are a total of 41 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. 39 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 22 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $24.00 to $80.00.

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Campsite Reviews (202)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		73%
4 star		15%
3 star		4%
2 star		3%
1 star		4%

@TimothyG8B540F · Camped on Oct 24, 2024 at Campsite #2

Great place and beautiful scenery. We were able to hike all the way up the creek and is just a short drive to lake.

@KelleyM3707919 · Camped on Oct 20, 2024 at Campsite #8

The bathrooms are and campsites are really close together and smells awful.. if you're looking for fresh air and seclusion this is not the place and the creek is barely a creek!

@WilliamK482864 · Camped on Oct 14, 2024 at Campsite #28

The campground is nice and generally quiet, more suited for tent camping, then even a small RV in my opinion. Park is clean, bathrooms probably as clean as possible but lots of flies in them.There is a lot of truck Jake brake noise at night, as well as airplane noise that sounded low altitude, we had a nice stay while we were there anyway, rangers were pleasant, easy drive from the phx valley

@RichardB341941 · Camped on Oct 14, 2024 at Campsite #24

We had a pleasant stay. Well maintained and clean.

@RhiannonH6B9E7 · Camped on Oct 1, 2024 at Campsite #19

Beautiful area! We were there during the week, and the campground was peaceful and quiet. Our campsite had a creek running behind it, too. Plenty to do in the area, would definitely recommend staying here.

@EllyD999D410E3 · Camped on Sep 24, 2024 at Campsite #17

Spot 17 is amazingthat said unfortunately the campers before us used the surrounding woods as their toilet!! Nasty

@AshleyA3817646 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #43

We loved our stay. And our puppy had a great time too.

@MohitA2DA44C0C · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #11

It would been a 5 star if only the toilets werent possibly the worst ever. There was no staff onsite and every single toilet was super stinky and unhygienic with flies all around. These were pit toilets with no ventilation whatsoever. If only we had known or researched this beforehand, would probably have skipped the campground altogether.That being said, the campground itself is beautiful with tall palm trees all around. Every site comes with bear proof box, which we saw for the first time (and got a little scared too ). The sites were well spread out and still didnt feel too far away. There is a little creek which was fun. We had a blast overall, if only not for the restrooms.

@DanielBA792DF6 · Camped on Sep 3, 2024 at Campsite #9

Excellent time my wife and I planned another trip already for October and looking forward to fishing up at Woods Canyon Lake

@JohnR2194126 · Camped on Aug 6, 2024 at Campsite #17

Great campsite next to creek. Has bear box to store cooler and trash, but tight parking along side of road.

@JamesKB4C9FE1A · Camped on Jul 30, 2024 at Campsite #18

We had a wonderful time at this campsite! There was a little mixup regarding reservations with another camper, but Mike the camp host worked everything out in a smooth and professional way! Five stars for Mike the camp host, lol!

@StephenW521762 · Camped on Jul 29, 2024 at Campsite #25

The vault toilets smelt so bad that the whole campground smelt and as a result i left a day early. Have not had this problem at other campgrounds

@MonicaP1622DA6 · Camped on Jul 23, 2024 at Campsite #7

Sites are large. Bathrooms are well maintained. Very quiet place.

@BrianB7534319 · Camped on Jul 22, 2024 at Campsite #33

There is no longer a dedicated camp host. Now it is some kind of volunteer rotation. Guess how the bathrooms were? The smell of sewage could be smelled from 3 camp sites away. I could not even enter the bathroom because the stench was so bad. The one bathroom I could open the door, it had no toilet paper and 50+ flies swarming! We left after one night and will not be returning. Way to go federal govt trying to save a few bucks and leaving the camp to some redneck trash to manage.

@KristenTAB7EF0 · Camped on Jul 18, 2024 at Campsite #33

Always love, Christopher Creek and have been coming to this campground for years. As someone who enjoys to camp alone, I find comfort in camping at campgrounds with hosts and a few amenities available.However, I am very disappointed in the current hosts that are running this location. I camped for 4 days and never once did anyone stop by to greet me or check me in. Bathrooms are neglected. There were many instances of the host racing through the loops in their golf cart their dog running off leash beside them and children dangling off the sides of the golf cart. The hosts offered no sense of comfort, but instead made me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. I really hope this is their only season here.

@CarrieH9011980 · Camped on Jul 10, 2024 at Campsite #G1

We visit Christopher creek once a summer, always a fun trip. The camp hosts were great, friendly and the campsites/ restrooms are always clean.

@KATHRYNC109935 · Camped on Jun 28, 2024 at Campsite #35

I've camped here before last Aug (2023) so I'm not sure if there is a new host but the bathrooms were filthy when we arrived on Friday afternoon and weren't cleaned a single time all weekend with a full campground. The camp host zoomed around on his cart running his dog but never stopped to confirm my reservation or anything. Loud groups walked the loop past 11PM drunk. I won't ever return here.

@DonnaW8278919 · Camped on Jun 23, 2024 at Campsite #25

Peaceful. Bathrooms very smelly

@HannahK9401447 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #42

Good spot, however weekends are really busy here. Bring earplugs

@JenniferM11870 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #11

It was so sad to see the state of the campgrounds. We have gone every year for the past 5 years and this is the first time the campground was filthy. Fire pits were filled with ash, restrooms had no toilet paper and were filthy. The campground staff walked around shirtless with a gun holsterit was a jarring to see that. Incredibly sad and disappointing to see the campgrounds like this.

@BruceC8051679 · Camped on May 28, 2024 at Campsite #6

The listing stated the site was suitable for a RV, but in actuality the only place to put your RV on site 6 was the car parking space, meaning you couldn't have your living space next to your outdoor space. Site 6 was also surrounded on 3 sides by roadway, so of all the spaces in this camp area, it felt the least "woodsy" of everything we saw. Overall it was a beautiful campground, but we do regret reserving this specific space.

@DedreaDAFCB13D · Camped on May 19, 2024 at Campsite #40

Wonderful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The creek is a great place for kids to play.

@SaraM7513074 · Camped on May 17, 2024 at Campsite #19

Such a cool campground and beautiful! The creek was right behind our spot and is so serene. The host we interacted with was really friendly and kept the place clean especially the bathrooms. Overall great place and would stay there again

@AnthonyW983D96 · Camped on May 3, 2024 at Campsite #42

The location is beautiful. We usually love it here. Ever since the camp hosts left, the "no/low noise after 10 pm" rule is well enforced, which is great. The only complaint we had this time was that the bathrooms were not being taken care of. Toilet paper was not being replenished (bring your own backup TP). Cleaning was not being done. They also were getting near full on sewage capacity. Normally we go in October and have never seen the bathrooms so sorely neglected. Maybe this is a May thing?

@JessieWDD4EADD · Camped on Apr 22, 2024 at Campsite #26

Such a great site close to the creek! Go during the weekday to avoid crowds and noisy generators. Take the creek SW to find a swimming hole and lookout over the rapids.

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