Located at the base of the Mogollon Rim in the state of Arizona. The nearby town of Christopher Creek is named after this body of water. The closest Town, Payson is 22 miles west of Christopher Creek.

​

The community lies at an elevation of 5,961 feet (1,817 m). The population as of the 2010 U.S. Census was 156.

 

Fans of Western fiction, you may feel you've been here before. The red rocks, jagged cliffs, and wide-open views surrounding Christopher Creek inspired many novels of famous author Zane Grey, including Call of the Canyon and Under the Tonto Rim. Even today, streets, restaurants, libraries, and schools bear the name of “The Father of the Western Novel.”

​

It's clear why Grey found the region so moving. Having the Mogollon Rim as Christopher Creek's backdrop makes for breathtaking views, phenomenal hiking, and excellent mountain biking. This mountain village, nestled on the banks of spring-fed Christopher Creek, is ideal for camping, fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, sightseeing, hunting, and birdwatching.

Grey hasn't been the only one to notice the region. Animal Planet featured Christopher Creek in an episode of Finding Bigfoot. The “Mogollon Monster” is Arizona's kissing cousin to Bigfoot, and there have been tales of sightings since as far back as 1903.

Desert yeti or no, you can celebrate the legend on the 100-mile race, the Mogollon Monster 100. Yes, it's rugged and challenging, but it is also beautiful since the course runs along the Mogollon Rim