Horton Springs Loop

850 North Forest Service Road 289, AZ
4.4
5 Reviews
Horton Springs Loop
View all photos

Details

Distance
8.42 miles
Elevation Gain
1896 ft
Route Type
Loop

Features

Family Friendly
Groups
Forest
Swimming Hole
Scenic
Download
Directions
Check-in
Track

About this place

Added by Sri Gangam

Horton Springs Loop is one of the most spectacular hike in Arizona’s Rim Country. The hike includes a non-stop show of waterfalls, fields of wildflowers, wild berries and forests of maples.

This is a more scenic and bit more strenuous loop hike to the spring, taking in the Derrick Trail, part of the Highline Trail, and the Horton Creek Trail.After parking the cars near Upper Tonto Creek Campground follow the Derrick Trail and hike gently uphill for 1.4 miles through the rim country to the Highline Trail junction. Then follow the Highline Trail and this is a steep climb with lots of ups and downs, where the most of elevation gain. After hiking the Highline Trail for 2 miles a steep descent into the headwaters of Horton Creek. Here the trail turns right and begins a short half-mile climb to Horton Spring.

There are lot of campsites near the spring and once we setup our campsite we started exploring around the springs. After spending beautiful night, the next day we hiked out through the scenic Horton Creek Trail for 3.5 miles back to the trailhead. This trail runs parallel with Horton Creek all the way to the trailhead, passing many beautiful waterfalls along the way. You can go off-trail at some points to see as many of these waterfalls as possible.

Show more
Suggest an edit

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
Reviews
Photos
Check-ins
Newton Sander
9/17/2021
Short hike
The trail is cut off after only .9 miles. There is plenty waterfalls that are beautiful just can’t make it to the end one
Report
Crystal Sibson
8/12/2020
Great Fall Hike
I have done this as a day hike, never camped, however I think it would be a great place to spend the night. ...
Show more
Report
Laura Hill
7/1/2020
I love this hike!!
This hike is flat and easy, with beautiful views of Horton Creek. At the end, there's a small waterfall. Lots of wonderful ...
Show more
Report
Jake Harmer
10/6/2017
Long Hike
The hike wasn't very strenuous, but it ended up taking a lot longer than I'd anticipated. We ran into an Arizona Black Rattlesnake on ...
Show more
Report
Dan Deublein
8/5/2016
Beautiful
Beautiful hike butbe ready to face the crowds, especially on weekends. The fresh spring gushes out if the rim face and is remarkable. You ...
Show more
Report