Home › Arizona › Payson › Deer Creek Trailhead
Deer Creek Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Running trail in Payson, Arizona · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Deer Creek Trailhead yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Deer Creek Trailhead
“Clean well kept Trail Head PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT HO RAH !”
“This is a beautiful place if you like to just get a good view of the desert and see a broad view of desert life.”
“A nice quiet area ti hike as far as you want to”
3 trails head off this main trail. We did the deer creek trail. Beautiful hike...stream was running and dog stayed hydrated. 3.5 miles into it you find a gravesite....graveside.... far from there a great place to have a snack on the creek. I was grateful to have my GPS as a few times we lost trail.
Easy access by car and really fun hiking. From here I did Gold Ridge Trail which starts with a steep climb but it's well worth it.
Always loved hiking this trail, usually see some wild life, last time it was Javalina. This time a rattle snake. Always seems to have water flowing in the creek as well.
Semi rocky trail at times but overall an easy hike. There are three different trails one can take. Only meant for hikers and horseback.
Trail conditions & character
“This is a beautiful place if you like to just get a good view of the desert and see a broad view of desert life.”
“From here I did Gold Ridge Trail which starts with a steep climb but it's well worth it.”
“A nice quiet area ti hike as far as you want to”
Plan your run at Deer Creek Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Running trails near Payson
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Barnhardt Trail #43 (Eastern Terminus)
4.6 ★★★★★ 132 reviews
Scenic hiking area featuring waterfalls, plus rock formations and views of the valley.
Cypress Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 127 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area with a variety of trails that lead to scenic views.
