Sharp Creek
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.
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 or with the mobile app using scan & pay. No cash is accepted.
Need to Know
Second vehicle charge of $8 per night is required if applicable. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine.
- No off-highway vehicles allowed.
No firewood sales available at campground. Plan to purchase ahead of time.
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
- Please be advised bear activity has increased due to drought conditions. All campers need to practice the following measures to prevent problems in bear country: 1) Always store your food securely. Use an airtight bear-proof container. Backpacks and coolers are not adequate; 2)Put all food away whenever you leave your campsite and at night. If bear-proof food storage boxes are not available, lock it out of sight in your trunk or hang it from a tree. 3) Store anything that has an 'attractive' odor good or bad - in the same way. Lotions, soap, toothpaste, bug spray, etc., may attract a curious bear. 4) Be extremely aware of your garbage. Deposit it in bear-proof refuse container. Burn what can be burned and pack out the rest. Do not bury it - you can't hide it from a bear's nose! Always respect wild animals, especially bears. Never attempt to feed or pet a bear. Avoid surprising, aggravating or harassing bears. Avoid what might be misconstrued as aggressive behavior.
- For more information please visit: BeBearAware.org
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.
Nearby Attractions
The small town of Christopher Creek is less than a mile away and has a few restaurant and shopping options for basic conveniences.
Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lakes sit above the Mogollon Rim, only a 10-minute drive away, and offer boating and fishing.
Recreation
The campground is in a central location for hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking.
Anglers can try for trout in nearby Christopher Creek. Hikers can access the historic Highline National Recreational Trail, which runs for 51 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.
Contact Information
Mailing
1009 East Highway 260 PAYSON AZ 85541
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 928-468-7135
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 1, Loop MANZ, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop Juniper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop Pine, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop Juniper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop Juniper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop MANZ, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop Juniper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop MANZ, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop Juniper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop Pine, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop Pine, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop Juniper, Type Standard Nonelectric
