Sharp Creek
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates April through October. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance for standard sites and 12 months in advance for group sites through Recreation.gov.
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.
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.
About
Sharp Creek Campground is located at 6,000 feet elevation in the Tonto National Forest, surrounded by thick ponderosa pine forest below the dramatic Mogollon Rim. The campground offers a cool retreat from southern Arizona's desert heat, with shaded sites and easy access to refreshing creeks and lakes. The facility includes 28 spacious, well-maintained campsites spread across three loops, with both back-in and pull-through sites available for RVs. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, grill, campfire ring, and lantern holder. The campground also features three group sites that can each accommodate up to 75 people, making it popular for weddings, birthday parties, and other large gatherings. Each group site has its own designated vault toilet and paved parking lot, with a large open field in the middle for group activities. A group picnic shelter is also available. Recreational opportunities abound in the area. Anglers can fish for trout in nearby Christopher Creek, less than a mile away. Hikers can access the historic 51-mile Highline National Recreation Trail from the 260 Trailhead, located six miles east of the campground. Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lakes sit just 10 minutes away above the Mogollon Rim, offering additional fishing and boating options. The small town of Christopher Creek is less than a mile away with restaurants and basic conveniences.
Directions
From Payson, take Highway 260 east for 23 miles. The campground is on the south side of Highway 260, approximately 1.5 miles east of Christopher Creek.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| 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 | $29 - $150 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (928) 474-7900 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!