Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
Address: | Zane Gray Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541, USA |
GPS: |
34°20'23.7"N 111°5'44.0"W Maps | Directions |
State: | Arizona |
Trails/Routes: | 1.1-3.5 mi |
Waterfalls Streams Trails Wildflowers Fishing
Backpack, Camp, and Hike
Horton Springs is a spring on the Mogollon Rim that leads into Horton Creek. There are campsites near the springs, and several hiking trails in the area that lead to the spring itself. Between the waterfalls, the wildflowers, and the many maples, this is a beautiful destination to hike year round, or to backpack and explore.
Horton Creek Trail is a popular, easy hike that leads directly to the springs. The trailhead is located near the Upper Tonto Creek Campground, and is often frequented, especially on the weekends. At some points, the trail overlaps with the creek bed, so be prepared for your feet to get wet! You won't be able to do much swimming, but there's plenty of water to splash around, and you can still enjoy the refreshingly cold creek. The trail ends at the Highline Trail, at which point the Springs are only a few yards away. The waterfall where the spring emerges from the mountain is a unique sight. There are some dispersed campsites located near the spring, allowing for a potential overnight stay.
The other trail to reach Horton Spring is Horton Springs Trail; This trail begins north of the spring, off of Rim Road (or FR 300) and takes a short but steep 1-mile path down with no switchbacks to the spring. The Horton Spring Trail #292 is rated as "most difficult" and is recommended only to experienced hikers.
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
Horton Creek Trail #285 | 3.5 miles |
Horton Springs Trail #292 | 1.1 miles |
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Payson, Arizona
- Head northeast on AZ-87 N toward E Frontier St (0.7 mi)
- Turn right onto AZ-260 E (16.2 mi)
- Turn left onto Nf-289 (0.8 mi)
Make sure to park in the Horton Springs parking lot, not in the nearby Upper Tonto Creek Campground.
Added by camilledupar
Trails
Distance ?
3.5 milesElevation Gain ?
1,178 feetReal Ascent ?
1,342 feetReal Descent ?
164 feetAvg Grade (4°)
6%Grade (-9° to 23°)
-15% to 42%Distance ?
1.1 milesElevation Gain ?
-1,272 feetReal Ascent ?
65 feetReal Descent ?
1,337 feetAvg Grade (-13°)
-23%Grade (-34° to 14°)
-67% to 25%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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