Horton Creek Trail, Arizona: The Best Creek Hike Near Payson
If you’re looking for a summer hike near Payson that checks every box — shaded, creekside, dog friendly, not too hard, and genuinely beautiful the whole way — Horton Creek Trail is it. It’s one of those hikes that doesn’t get talked about as much as it should, which means you can still find some quiet out here even on a summer weekend.
The trail follows Horton Creek for about 4 miles to Horton Springs, a natural spring that pushes ice cold water up from the ground at the base of the Mogollon Rim. It’s one of the coolest natural features on any trail in the state and worth every step to get there. The whole thing is 8-9 miles round trip with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain. It is a bit on the longer side, but it’s beautiful and totally worth it.
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Where is Horton Creek Trail?
The Horton Creek Trail is located in Northern Arizona near Payson, Arizona and the Mogollon Rim. If you are not familiar with the Mogollon Rim, it is the drop-off point of the Colorado Plateau that separates the desert from a more foresty landscape. It’s the perfect place for us desert rats to escape in the summer. This trail specifically is 20 minutes outside of Payson, AZ BELOW the Mogollon Rim. It takes 1.5-2 hrs driving from central Phoenix, which isn’t too bad at all!!
Best Time to Visit Horton Creek Trail
Time of Year
Horton Creek Trail is hikeable year-round but summer is peak season — Memorial Day through Labor Day is when most people make the trip, and it’s easy to see why. The trail runs alongside the creek the entire way and is covered by tree canopy almost from start to finish, which means it stays significantly cooler than an exposed desert hike even in July. That said, fall is genuinely stunning out here. I’ve done it in October when the leaves are changing and it’s one of the most beautiful versions of this trail — less crowded too.
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds — comfortable temperatures, good water flow in the creek, and fewer people — late May or early October is the sweet spot.
Time of Day
This is one of the rare Arizona hikes where you don’t have to stress about timing. Because the trail is shaded and runs through a forested canyon, it doesn’t bake the way an exposed desert trail would. I’ve done it in the middle of the day multiple times without any issues. That said, summer weekends do get busy at the trailhead parking lot — getting there before 9am on a Saturday will save you the headache of circling for a spot.
Looking to camp in the area?! There’s some great ones! I’ve spent 10 years building up a PDF will all my favs in Northern Arizona!
Trail Info: What to Expect on Horton Creek Trail
Parking at the Trailhead
You won’t have a hard time plugging in “Horton Creek Trailhead” into Apple or Google Maps. It will take you off Highway 260 to Tonto Creek (the sign will also say this is the way to the Fish Hatchery). You’ll pass the lower campground and shortly come to a bridge over the creek. You pass the bridge and take a sharp left into the parking lot, which does have a pit toilet. It’s free to park.
You will cross the bridge and turn to your left towards Upper Tonto Creek Campground and you will soon see an obvious trail sign.
Horton Creek Trail Stats
The trail is great! You do start crossing the creek once (but you can get across the rocks), and then the trail is mostly flat, with very gradual elevation gain. It is covered by trees, so you get to enjoy a little bit of shade. I think it’s great for dogs and kids as well.
There are some important things to note here. If you click on the “Horton Springs via Horton Creek Trailhead” link above, it will take you to AllTrails and tell you the trail is 8.8 miles. This trail connects to the TOP OF THE MOGOLLON RIM. You don’t need to go all the way up there to see the Spring (my stopping point). There is also the Horton Springs Trail HERE, which goes from the TOP OF THE RIM down to the Spring. This is not the trail I’m talking about. So, use the Horton Creek Trail to navigate, but note you’re only going 2.8 miles to the spring (shown below).
Horton Springs via Horton Creek Trail
Waterfalls Along the Trail
It’s not clearly marked off the trail, but there is a great waterfall at the 1.2 mile mark TO YOUR RIGHT. You’ll have to take a side trail down to the creek. There are many small waterfalls along your way, so if you miss it, there are others!
iPHONE PHOTO TIP: Shoot a photo in LIVE, then edit it after and change to long exposure for the effect of the top left photo below!
Horton Springs: The Destination
There is actually a SPRING on this trail, which is my favorite feature. A Spring is water that releases at the surface from an underground water source. The pressure purifies the water and pushes it up to the surface. It’s always safer to filter your water, but I felt comfortable drinking right out of the spring source here. I brought a clear waterbottle and dipped it into the ground. It comes out perfectly clear and SUPER COLD. It was delicious. Plus, the waterfall it creates is beautiful too.
Things to Do Near Horton Springs
There is sooooo much to do in this same area. I will list some of my favorites below. I highly recommend camping somewhere in the area to have more time to experience it all.
- Visit the Fish Hatchery
- See Christopher Creek, and visit the restaurants on Christopher Creek Loop Road
- Drive Mogollon Rim Road 300 and visit the visitors center
- Stop by a “Rim Lake” like Woods Canyon Lake or Willow Springs Lake
- Drive to Blue Ridge Reservoir and kayak
- Grab ice cream in Payson, AZ on your drive out
- Hike to Water Wheel Falls near Payson
- Go to the Below the Rim Meadery (fermented honey alcohol)
…..the list goes on forever!
FAQs: Horton Creek Trail
How long is Horton Creek Trail? The trail is 5.6 miles round trip to Horton Springs. Most people take 3 to 4 hours including time at the waterfall and the spring. You can also turn around at any point — the trail is beautiful the whole way and even the first mile along the creek is worth the drive.
Is Horton Creek Trail dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome on leash. The trail is a great one for dogs — mostly flat, shaded, and running alongside the creek the whole way. Just be prepared for creek crossings and bring plenty of water for your pup.
Is there a fee for Horton Creek Trail? No — parking and the trail are both free. No passes or permits required.
What is at the end of Horton Creek Trail? Horton Springs — a natural spring that pushes ice cold water up from the ground at the base of the Mogollon Rim. It’s one of the most unique features on any trail in Arizona. The spring creates a small waterfall and the water comes out completely clear and incredibly cold. Worth every step.
How far is Horton Creek Trail from Phoenix? About 1.5 to 2 hours from central Phoenix depending on where you’re coming from. Take AZ-87 north to Highway 260 east and follow signs toward Tonto Creek and the Fish Hatchery. The trailhead is clearly marked.
Is Horton Creek Trail difficult? No — it’s one of the more accessible hikes in the Payson area. The trail has gradual elevation gain of about 1,200 feet over 2.8 miles, is well shaded, and follows the creek the entire way. Great for families, beginners, and dogs.
Final Thoughts: Horton Creek Trail, Arizona
Horton Creek Trail is one of those hikes that earns a spot on your permanent Arizona summer rotation. It’s not flashy or overhyped — it’s just a genuinely great trail that delivers every single time. Shaded, creekside, accessible, and ending at one of the coolest natural features in the state. What more do you need?
If you’re already heading up to the Payson area for a weekend, build your whole itinerary around this corner of Arizona — Water Wheel Falls, Christopher Creek, the Mogollon Rim, Blue Ridge Reservoir. You could spend a week out here and still not run out of things to do.
Save this post for your next trip and share it with someone who needs a summer hike recommendation. And if you’ve done Horton Creek and have a favorite tip or spot along the trail, drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear it!
