CampgroundsDB

Upper Canyon Creek

Its 10 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping is free, and it is open from April 1 to November 1. Upper Canyon Creek is a National Forest campground near Payson, Arizona.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Payson, Arizona

Managed by
National Forest
Max RV length
16 ft

Upper Canyon Creek sits inside Tonto National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits 0.6 miles outside the boundary of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests; its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Canyon Creek: Canyon Creek is popular for rainbow trout, with a four-trout limit and artificial flies and lures only; the AZGFD Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery is nearby. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Total sites
10
Max RV length
16 ft
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
14 days
Quiet hours
10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Generators
Allowed outside quiet hours

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
6,600 ft

34.2887, -110.8028 in Gila. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Upper Canyon Creek is open from April 1 to November 1 , at 6,600 ft.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Upper Canyon Creek?
No. Upper Canyon Creek is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Upper Canyon Creek?
Camping at Upper Canyon Creek is free.
How many campsites does Upper Canyon Creek have?
Upper Canyon Creek has 10 campsites.
Is there drinking water at Upper Canyon Creek?
No. Upper Canyon Creek has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
When is Upper Canyon Creek open?
Upper Canyon Creek is open from April 1 to November 1.
How long can you stay at Upper Canyon Creek?
The stay limit at Upper Canyon Creek is 14 days.
Are generators allowed at Upper Canyon Creek?
Yes, outside quiet hours (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).
Is there cell service at Upper Canyon Creek?
Probably not: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at or within about half a mile of Upper Canyon Creek. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.
Who manages Upper Canyon Creek?
Upper Canyon Creek is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Upper Canyon Creek

reservoirfinder.com · 28 miles

C.C. Cragin Reservoir's mapped center point is 28 miles from Upper Canyon Creek in a straight line. Current water level: C.C. Cragin Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.

Waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest waterfall to Upper Canyon Creek, in a straight line: Waterwheel Falls (waterfall, 28 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

First-come Airplane Flat Payson · National Forest Season April to October Fee Free Reservable Canyon Point Campground Payson · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $38 per night (up to 8 people and 1 vehicle) First-come Colcord Ridge Payson · National Forest Season Year-round Fee Free Reservable Black Canyon Rim Campground Forest Lakes · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $20 per night (up to 8 people and 1 vehicle)

More campgrounds: camping near Payson and campgrounds in Gila.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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