Airplane Flat Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Open April through October. No reservations; first-come, first-served when open.
Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions
To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
Lower Salt River Area Temporary Emergency Equestrian Closure for Public Health & Safety
Click to view closure order for details.
Granite Reef Developed Recreation Site Public Health and Safety Closure Order
See order for details.
TERMINATION ORDER: Stage II Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Order
There are no fire restrictions on the Tonto National Forest as of Sept. 5, 2025, 8 a.m.
Box Bar Seasonal Eagle Closure
December 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. and will remain in effect seasonally each year from December 1 through June 30, until June 30, 2026, at 12 p.m.
About
Airplane Flat Campground is located in an open stand of mature ponderosa pine at 6,600 feet elevation in the Pleasant Valley Ranger District of Tonto National Forest. The campground provides access to Canyon Creek, a popular trout fishing destination where artificial flies and lures are required on the section south of OW Ranch. The area supports diverse wildlife including Abert squirrel, black bear, mountain lion, elk, turkey, and deer. This is a primitive, pack-it-in, pack-it-out campground with vault toilets serviced weekly but no potable water or trash services. The campground operates first-come, first-served with no advance reservations and no camping fees. Sites include picnic tables and fire pits. A 14-day stay limit applies, and trailers must be under 16 feet. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with generators prohibited during this time. Access requires driving unpaved Forest Roads 512 and 33. Four-wheel-drive or chains are advised after heavy rains or snow. Winter temperatures can dip into the teens. Campers must bear-proof their camps and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Directions
Access #1: From Payson, travel 33 miles east on Highway 260. Turn right on Young Road/Forest Road 512 and continue for 3 miles to Forest Road 33. Turn left on FR 33 (unpaved) and travel 4.5 miles to the site. Access #2: From Young, take Highway 288 (unpaved)/Forest Road 512 north for 23 miles to Forest Road 33. Turn right onto FR 33 and continue for 4.5 miles to the site. Four-wheel-drive or chains advised after heavy rains or snow.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 16ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 16ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (928) 474-7900 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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