Overview Sharp Creek is a small campground located in an area of central Arizona known for its pleasant temperatures, spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation. There are tent-only, family and group sites to accommodate a wide range of visitors.Recreation The campground is in a central location for hiking, fishing, bo…
Overview Sharp Creek is a small campground located in an area of central Arizona known for its pleasant temperatures, spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation. There are tent-only, family and group sites to accommodate a wide range of visitors.Recreation The campground is in a central location for hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking. Anglers can try for trout in nearby Christopher Creek. Hikers and Mountain Bikers can access the National Recreation Highline Trail, which spans 63 miles along the base of the Mogollon Rim, from the 260 Trail three miles east of the campground. Two lakes nearby offer additional fishing and boating options.Facilities Sharp Creek is a small campground with 28 campsites conveniently spread out into 3 loops. Campsites are spacious, comfortable and well-maintained, with some shade. Each has a picnic table, grill, campfire ring and lantern holder. One additional loop contains three group campsites that can each accommodate 75 people. 19 Sites are reservable and 9 sites are first-come, first-serve. Payment for first-come, first-serve sites is completed using the on-site fee machine. No cash is accepted. Natural Features Sharp Creek sits at a cool 6,000 feet elevation, perfect for escaping the desert heat of southern Arizona and getting away to shaded forests and refreshing creeks and lakes. It is surrounded by a thick ponderosa pine forest below the Mogollon Rim. The clear waters of Christopher Creek are less than a mile away. The Mogollon Rim, pronounced by locals as "muggy-own," is a 200-mile long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. The unique landscape was created by extreme erosion and faulting that has sculpted spectacular canyons and buttes. The rim serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900. Nearby Attractions The small town of Christopher Creek is
Photos
Sharp Creek Campground surrounded by the Tonto National Forest — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground Loop Oak Vault Toilets with a Water Spigot to the right — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Handicap-accessible Campsites — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground with Restrooms beside each of the Handicap-accessible Sites — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground — USFSSharp Creek Campground Group Site 2 — USFSSharp Creek Standard Campsites all include a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and lantern pole — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground Beautiful Views — USFSSharp Creek Campground Vault Toilets — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground Host — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground Loop Juniper Drinking Water Spigot — Conservation LegacySharp Creek Campground Entrance Sign — USFS
How to Get There
This facility is located 23 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona, approximately 1.5 miles east of Christopher Creek. From Payson, take Highway 260 east for 23 miles. The campground is on the south side of Highway 260.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to SHARP CREEK
Heading to SHARP CREEK? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for SHARP CREEK?
No central reservation system listed for SHARP CREEK. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233898) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to SHARP CREEK?
This facility is located 23 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona, approximately 1.5 miles east of Christopher Creek. From Payson, take Highway 260 east for 23 miles. The campground is on the south side of Highway 260.
