Quick Guide: See Spring Trail

See Spring Trail is a short, moderate hike near Payson, Arizona, located along Christopher Creek beneath the Mogollon Rim. The trail is about 2.5 miles round trip with roughly 500 feet of elevation gain and typically takes around 1.5–2 hours to complete. It begins from the See Canyon Trailhead, following the same route as See Canyon Trail before branching off toward See Spring. Along the way, expect a shaded ponderosa pine forest, creek crossings and plenty of colorful foliage. 🍂 Fall is one of the best times to hike See Spring Trail, with peak colors typically arriving in October into early November depending on the year.

🥾 Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
📈 Elevation Gain: ~500 feet
⏱️ Time: 1.5–2 hours
🟡 Difficulty: Moderate
📍 Location: Mogollon Rim near Payson, Arizona
🚙 Trailhead: See Canyon Trailhead
🐕 Dogs: Allowed on leash
🍂 Best Time to Visit: October–early November for fall colors or summer to cool off
🌲 Trail Type: Out & back

driving directions

Payson, Arizona is located a little over an hour and 15 minutes from Phoenix. It feels like a quick drive! I love how the landscape changes so dramatically and so quickly from cactus to Ponderosa Pines. Payson is one of the most concentrated areas of pine trees in the whole USA, actually!

From Payson, you’re going to go east on highway 260 to Christopher Creek Loop. You take this until you see the Christoper Creek General Store, and you will turn LEFT onto Forest Road 284 directly across from it. You will be on this well-maintained dirt road for about 2 miles until you get to the trailhead. Below is the Google Earth view looking at FR 284 from the General Store. You can check the status of this road on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest website.

I have found it accurate to use the AllTrails “directions” feature that opens up a map on Apple Maps. Coordinates are 34.33606 N, 111.01402 W. 

trailhead parking

The trailhead is medium sized. It’s a little loop, and there is overflow parking down the road a little bit. For the most part, it should be easy to find parking, unless you’re hiking during peak fall colors.

There is a trailhead sign, map, and pit toilet availabe for you. It’s easy to navigate, which is nice!

See Spring Trail begins from the See Canyon Trailhead and initially follows See Canyon Trail through a beautiful, shaded forest. The first part of the hike is relatively gradual, winding beneath tall ponderosa pines and alongside Christopher Creek. Depending on recent weather and water levels, you’ll encounter a few creek crossings, so I recommend wearing shoes you don’t mind getting a little wet or muddy.

After about a mile, you’ll reach the junction where See Spring Trail #185 splits from See Canyon Trail #184. Make sure to follow the signs toward See Spring rather than continuing farther into See Canyon. From here, the trail becomes a little steeper as you make your way toward the spring.

The trail ends near See Spring, tucked beneath the surrounding forest and canyon walls. While the spring itself is a nice destination, I think the best part of this hike is really the journey there—the creek, dense forest and peaceful scenery make the entire trail worthwhile.

Despite being relatively short, there are some rocky and uneven sections along the way. I’d consider See Spring Trail moderate overall, but it’s approachable for most hikers who are comfortable with a little elevation gain and navigating creek crossings.

see spring vs. see canyon trail

See Spring Trail and See Canyon Trail begin from the same trailhead and share the first portion of the hike, but they offer two very different options. See Spring Trail is the shorter hike at about 2.5 miles round trip, making it a great choice if you want an easier hike with creek crossings, forest scenery and beautiful fall colors. See Canyon Trail is about 7.4 miles round trip with significantly more elevation gain, continuing deeper into the canyon and climbing toward the Mogollon Rim. If you’re mainly visiting for fall colors or want a shorter adventure, I’d choose See Spring Trail. If you want a longer, more challenging hike and have several hours to explore, continue along See Canyon Trail.

Fall Colors on See Spring Trail

Fall is one of the best times to hike See Canyon Trail, especially if you’re looking for fall colors near Payson and along the Mogollon Rim. The canyon’s mix of evergreens and deciduous trees creates beautiful pockets of yellow, orange and red foliage, particularly along Christopher Creek and the lower, more shaded portions of the trail. The contrast of colorful leaves against the tall ponderosa pines is what makes this hike so beautiful in autumn.

Fall colors around See Canyon typically begin changing in October, although the exact timing varies each year depending on temperatures, elevation and weather conditions. Because conditions can change quickly, I recommend checking my Arizona Fall Color Leaf Watch before making the drive. I update it throughout the season with current fall color conditions around Payson, Flagstaff, Sedona and other popular leaf-peeping destinations across Arizona.

Summary of See Spring Trail

See Spring Trail is one of the best short hikes near Payson if you’re looking for creek crossings, a peaceful forest and beautiful fall colors without committing to a long hike. At around 2.5 miles round trip, it’s an easy addition to a fall day trip on the Mogollon Rim. If you visit in October, pair this hike with a drive along the Rim and check my Arizona Leaf Watch before your trip for the latest fall color updates.

Read My Other Mogollon Rim Area Posts:
Horton Springs Hike Guide
Where to Camp on the Mogollon Rim
Things To Do in Payson & Coffee Shops in Payson