I know the reviews are mixed but this is a great place at a great price. The mixed reviews are most likely due to the mixed age of the cabins. The older cabins that allow pets are aweful. They are run down and very dirty from years of use and poor design. But they have been renovating cabins and building new ones to the point where you only need to avoid (at all cost) booking cabin number 5. All the other accommodations are great. The motel portion offers a bed and a bathroom at a very reasonable price. The trail bunkhouses include a kitchenet. And the cabins offer a full kitchen with porches that face the creek. The location cannot be beat. There's beautiful forest all around, a great restaurant with live music (on the weekends) within walking distance, and of course the creek. But best of all is the staff. We have been to the Christopher Creek Lodge on five or more occasions and interacted with many different staff. Every last one of them had been kind and as helpful is possible. If you show up early, they try to get you into your cabin early. If you need something afterhours, they have a phone number to call and they respond. Thanks to the staff the place has a warm, friendly, family feel. read more

Our favorite camping spot in AZ. even though we have rented bigger cabins up north in Flagstaff of all the campgrounds this one is our favorite we just love it here:) it's always nice and clean. Very peaceful beautiful place. I do recommend the cabins. The newer ones are the best and by the creek. My family can't wait to be back! read more

Christopher Creek Lodge - Coffee in the morning. - Hotels Near Me - Payson, Arizona

Christopher Creek Lodge is the place to stay if you are in Payson! We booked a space for a wedding and reception and they EXCEEDED our expectations. Reyna and her team are a dream to work with! She is responsive and her team is always willing to assist. The cabins are so cute and CLEAN. I will definitely go back for a regular stay time and time again. It has natural charm and is beautiful. Elk come by and are very sweet! And creek runs right by it. So stunning and peaceful. read more

Christopher Creek Lodge - Hotels Near Me - Payson, Arizona

This place is magical. Great property with elk and the office gives u free peanuts for the squirrels! read more

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We (my husband and I) went to Christopher Creek Lodge as guests of a wedding that was taking place nearby. The location was incredible. Trees of all kinds, beautiful fall leaves falling all around us, crisp Autumn air smelling of pine, and a trickling creek behind our cabin. So take note here folks, the "creek" part of Christopher CREEK Lodge is not some mindless addition to the name... There's an actual creek in play here. The cabin itself was spacious. While there was only 2 of us and a kitten, there was a whole loft part of the cabin with 4 large beds. We used the downstairs king size bed, which was spacious and comfortable. But given the generous amount of beds upstairs, you could have 6-8 people staying with you in a single cabin (check with establishment here on actual occupancy maxes). There's a little kitchen space with a stove, microwave, cups, plates, utensils, a Keurig coffee maker and a few pots and sauce pans in varying sizes. If you need very specific items you should probably ask ahead if they're available, the owner/manager was very friendly and happy to answer questions so don't be shy. A wooden picnic table with benches and lots of seating was situated by a window. There was a heater in the wall, some space heaters, and an wood fire stove. We were warm our entire stay, in fact we had to turn the heaters down at one point as we managed to get the place too hot at night. The hot water was hot, hot, hot on command! I wish my own water heater rocked that hard. Never a cold shower and the water pressure was apparently "fixing problems I've had for years" in my husband's back. The bathroom was a bit small but no complaints here, we weren't trying to throw a party in there or anything. Behind the cabin there were lots of rocking chairs (something I find very comforting and really enjoy as a fidgety person) as well as a bench. There's a grill setup for outdoor grilling. We could watch the creek and grill at the same time if we wanted to. As it was, we simply watched the squirrels put on a show in a bid to get food out of us, and watched some apples from a nearby apple tree (possibly crab apple) fall into the creek. Was fun seeing them bobbing down the creek. All the rules were posted plainly for visitors to see within the cabin, and nothing that was asked of visitors was anything I'd consider to be unfair or unreasonable. As I stated earlier, we brought our kitten with us. The place allows animals for a small extra fee and they have cabins specifically for those with animals. I imagine most people who have pets bring their dogs... We brought our kitten because she's young, I didn't want to leave her, and I wanted to acclimate her to car rides. She LOVED all the new smells and the sights of squirrels. She found lots of places to hide, enjoyed sitting near the space heater, and behaved herself with the property (thankfully). There was a covered trash can right out front too so that when I scooped her litter box, I could just pop it in the covered trash can out front real quick and not worry about stinking up the place. Something others might also find useful for diapers or doggie leavings. There's a fantastic giant wood carved Sasquatch on the grounds and we took a few pics with it. There was also a playground for little kiddos to take advantage of. We're already planning a return trip, and are thinking we should invite our family and have em take all our little nephews and niece with them.. grandma too! It's a great spot to enjoy as a couple on a romantic trip or an adventure with the whole family. I was sad when 11am checkout rolled around. In the morning the autumn leaves fall like rain, the creek trickles pleasantly, and it is a most relaxing, beautiful display. I didn't want to leave and cannot wait to go back. Thanks Christopher Creek Lodge! read more

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The front desk was so incredibly accommodating when our family had unforeseen needs arise. The man who helped us was the best and so kind. We loved the grounds and how much there was to explore, and the play set for kids! The room was spacious, clean, and exactly what we were looking for. We will definitely return! read more

Over the years have stayed at Christopher Creek Lodge many times. I have usually stayed at one of the 10 cabins along the creek, but this time stayed at the Bunkhouse because of the bed configuration, 2 doubles in a bunk bed arrangement. Outside we had our own picnic table and charcoal BBQ grill. The room has a kitchen and fireplace. It's kept very clean. The staff are very friendly. The rates are competitive. It's the only resort with cabins right on the creek. Several have been remodeled, one was rebuilt from the ground up and all will be completed eventually. The common grounds are beautiful. There is a convenience store and two restaurants within walking distance. read more

Such a great place for a getaway and to get out of the heat. The bunk house was clean and quiet. We had an elk walk right outside of our door. Quick drive up to the rim. Dog friendly. We will be back. read more

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We rented 3 cabins for our family (C4,C5,C6). Two of the cabins were very nice, and newly remodeled. The cabin my husband and I stayed in (C5) was dark, musty, and in great need of remodeling. read more

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I've been at the cabins many times but this is the first time I've stayed in the newly remodeled C4 cabin. I must say it is awesome! The TVs offer streaming services, separate bedroom, updated bathroom, updated furniture, new windows. Great job! read more

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I loved my time at Christopher Creek. The cabins are spacious and beautiful. There is also grills to cook and many places to spend time outside. It was a great destination to stay in Payson and is very close to the Mogollon Rim! I would highly recommend staying with them. Also, Todd was extremely helpful in our stay!! read more

Such an amazing place to stay, clean cabins, good entertainment, and great views. Fun creek behind cabins to explore.

Stayed here only one night . But beyond gorgeous stay. The owners were very nice and the rooms were very clean. Great place to come back to after a long day at the lake or hiking. Will definitely come back read more

Christopher Creek Lodge - Hotels Near Me - Payson, Arizona

The lodge was clean, comfortable, and the environment was super cute and enjoyable. I really enjoyed this experience overall, I would definitely come again. read more

It was an incredible lodging experience that invoked serenity and rest within my being. I enjoyed the vibrant wildlife that existed at a safe distance where I felt calm throughout the entirety of the trip. Furthermore, the hospitality and sacrificial kindness of the staff exceeded expectation most blissfully. It reminded me of the calm childhood days of exploring the outdoors and my mothers Mac n cheese. read more

This place was fantastic! It is not fancy but you could not ask for a more peaceful retreat in the woods! Creek running by it adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The prices were fantastic and the cabins were cute and comfy! The people who run it, could not have been any nicer or more accommodating. Sweet people, affordable prices, and quiet, relaxing atmosphere! If you need to get out of Phoenix- head up here- It is worth the drive. We just got home and discussing when we will go again! read more

Pros, very relaxing, near the creek, i like the cabins overall and reasonably priced. Alot of games for middle aged, older and kids, a nice playground for kids as well. Not too much for young adults. I would suggest getting a pool table, rec room is big enough Cons: i would also suggest putting rugs in the bathroom, i almost slipped getting out of the shower. I put a towel down hesitantly because only given 2. Ive been to cabins where there is salt and pepper and paper towels. They had cookware but not those items. I would go back, its nice. read more

Tired! This place is TIRED! It's a big bummer because it could be so great. We stayed in cabin 6. It smelled very musty. We made the most of it and light a candle. read more

Awesome place very comfortable , Michelle Property manager is very welcoming and the cabins are cozy and inviting set right in front of Christopher Creek, will be back for sure! read more

Christopher Creek Lodge - Cozy Fireplace in a cozy cabin right on Cristopher Creek - Hotels Near Me - Payson, Arizona

Everything was awesome friendly front desk, views, clean grounds and room. Great play area for kids. We were able to grill and sit by fire with s'mores. Highly recommend staying here and will be back. read more

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We really enjoyed our time here. We had a cabin on the creek and it was so peaceful. The cabin was just the perfect size for our family of 4. Our kids slept upstairs in the loft. We are already making plans to come back soon! Michelle in the front office was really nice and helpful too read more

This place in a health hazard,they should be close down by the health department until they do a total renovation. We stay in a Trail Bank and ask for a different room th was not different from the first one, really dirty carpe and a bad odor like a wet dog. To bad the owner didn't care much about this place, it is a nice location some of the cabins are right by the creek. read more

I was shocked to find no CO detector anywhere in the cabin (I looked everywhere), given there is a fireplace in the cabin that appears frequently used. We had a lot of fun here in the snow but it was difficult for me to relax without the peace of mind of a CO detector, which should have been in the loft and the bedrooms. read more

I don't know where else you can open your cabin door to a flowing creek. Maybe I should get out more. Stayed in the Pioneer cabin and it was excellent. The campground hosts are nice and so are their pets. Cabin was clean and warm with the fire. We'll definitely be back. read more

Christopher Creek Lodge - Hotels Near Me - Payson, Arizona

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Christopher Creek Lodge is a beautiful place to stay. We took a 4 day trip up here and the lodge was very accommodating, the location is very clean and there is a cute playground for kids. My niece and nephew had a fantastic time there and at the creek that runs by the place. Tia and Michelle were also great in helping us with everything we needed and we will definitely be back! read more

I can't imagine how this place gets such high ratings. Yes, it's in a very charming location, and the pictures are alluring. The manager and staff are friendly and accommodating, although we never saw them. But OMG, the place redefines quaint and rustic as old, dilapidated, overused, smelly, cramped, stuffy, poorly lit, and unhealthy. We were in cabin C2, where we found no closets, a broken lamp with no lightbulb, a poorly lit bathroom with no counter space whatsoever, a dark, dank, and cramped 3' x 3' shower, a shower curtain with a broken rod support, and a claustrophobic loft area that reeks of old sweat and rotting wood. We got the "crawlies" from sleeping in the cabin's double bed, and I'm on my way to the store now to get some athlete's foot cream. All this for a total of $421 for two nights. read more

So much potential but sadly neglected. Stayed here with husband and four year old. My daughter really wanted to stay in the loft but the opening is a large hole in the floor and I couldn't risk her falling though the ceiling if she got up out of bed in The middle of the night. Rusty vanity should be replaced with something...not rusty. Carpet needs replacing. The kids playground was super fun, if not up to safety code. The bones of the cabin were lovely. It just desperately needs to be restored read more

If you're looking for a nice relaxing getaway, this is not your place. A few months ago my boyfriend & I came here to look at places for a wedding that we planned on having. The pictures of the creek looked amazing. It was only the 2 of us, so I figured to just get the smallest & cheapest hotel. Well, that was a huge mistake. It was the size of my master bedroom; if that. My boyfriend & I are lucky we like each other because it was so confined ! We got shown around a little bit before our appointment the next day. Let's just say the pictures did A LOT of justice. The place looked like it hadn't been tended to in years. We went back to the hotel & we couldn't believe how awful this was. We ended up leaving early & getting a credit. I then made another reservation in a bigger cabin, the pioneer cabin, for 2 nights. It said it has a full kitchen and bathroom. We had the little one so we needed a bigger one, thinking it would be nicer. Well again, we were wrong. We arrive & the first thing they say is there's no cable. It would have been nice to have a courtesy email so we could have brought board games or something fun for us to do ! We get to the cabin when it was time to make dinner, we brought our own knives just in case. Happy to say we did. I couldn't even cut a cucumber with the knife. I'm pretty sure they hadn't been sharpened since 1950 when it opened. Not to mention the lack of counter space, to make dinner. I had to prepare half the dinner on the kitchen table. When it was time to take a shower I thought that we would finally get some decent news. Well guess what, NOPE ! Our son said there were 2 settings. Lava and ice. & it was my turn to shower & I just couldn't wait for it...kidding. I got in & the soap they supply is dispensers with dollar store soap. There's no lighting except for some night lights at the dollar store...awesome. As I'm trying to find a hot setting & BOOM ! The shower curtain FALLS DOWN. So here I am, soaking wet with COLD WATER in 30 degree weather trying to hang this thing up ! But I guess it doesn't matter much because I get more pressure from my kitchen faucet. Needless to say I was not happy. The ends of this shower rod had lime scale built up as thick as a stack of dimes. It was disgusting. Then it was my boyfriends turn; he's 6'3" & the shower head went to his back. The fireplace doesn't even keep the place warm. I've never been to a cabin where you had to buy your own firewood. They always supply it. Not this cheap place. Then, this vent that the rooms had, my portable hair dryer was hotter than the air coming out of that vent. Then our little guy had no heating upstairs and there wasn't even a plug for him so we could give him a heating blanket ! My boyfriend & I looked at our bed in the kitchen & it was 2 box springs pushed together. Are you kidding me ? It's supposed to be relaxing. Not stressful and annoying. The owners are very nice & the view from the pioneers cabin are the only positive things I can say about it. Other than that, I do not recommend going there & I will be taking my business to Strawberry Hill Cabins. It was a waste of $200 & we again left early. read more

I have stayed here a few times on a girls get away weekend. OK people these are cabins, they are a step up from a tent. If you thought you were checking into a 5 star hotel you are wrong. Granted the sewage episode sounds like it was pretty nasty. However, I would have asked to be moved 1st not waited for the owner to offer a move. Also there were plenty of kids when we went and they all seemed to be having a blast. I wouldn't let my 1 year old crawl on anyone's floor but the one in my home. When we go we take our own towels and linens. The kitchen is stocked with basics. A frying pan, a pot, some utensils, plates, cups, bowls and silverware. An apartment size fridge, small stove, coffee maker and microwave. The bathrooms are like that of a camp ground basic shower, sink and toilet. I take my shower shoes because the shower floor is funky. The cabins have a 1970 throwback laminate floor, there are no fireplaces just wood burning stoves. There is a closet. Most of the cabins back up to the creek. The motel doesn't. You cannot have fires outside your cabin there is a common area for campfires. They have very small BBQ stands outside of your cabin. Enough room to cook 2 big steaks or 4 regular burgers. I suggest bringing a grill if your cooking for more than two. You can only burn duralogs in your cabin, bring them with you as they are pricey at the lodge. Also bring firewood if you go to the common area to have a campfire. I always have a great time here city roughing it. :) You have a roof, doors and windows with a kitchenette. Its not the Ritz people. It is dusty when you get there and some of the lofts are cramped, warning the stairs are narrow and steep but It is however still a great get away! I will be back. read more

We checked in just short of 3:30 and the room was finished except for the bed which was no big deal. The TV didn't work, but they came right away and fixed it. The cabin is a typical dimly lite cabin, but very charming. The grounds and cabin though full were very quiet. It has plenty of picnic tables and grills for outdoor groups and fun. The pillows on the bed were nice not hard or flat. The towels in the bathroom were of nice quality. The shower worked great. Plenty of hot water in the bathroom. The kitchen had a very poor water flow and very hard to get hot water. It would take forever to fill the coffee pot up. The disappointment was due to the fact that the property could be so much more. The outside grounds are in such need of some cleaning up and care. There was trash on the grounds to the side and behind our place (7A). One of the trash cans didn't have a lid--flies. Much dead debris and shrubs and trees that needed trimming. Full rain gutters, picnic tables and outside of cabins had many cobwebs and needed to be sweep down. Why not hang some humming bird or bird feeders for charm and atmosphere? The cost would be minimal and the beauty it would add would be well worth it. The cabins/rooms do not have air conditioning yet the sliding glass doors do not have screens so that you can leave them open without worry of insects? Would love to see some tender loving care put into the property and then without hesitation would recommend and return. On another note the staff was very nice. read more

Spent a weekend at this property. The website stated that the rooms were rustic and they certainly were. We stayed in cabin C3. It was nestled right along the creek. There was a back patio that had chairs so you could relax and watch the creek. There are other properties that aren't along the creek so people are walking in between cabins with their kids to play along in the creek. Not much privacy or quiet when sharing your creek view with others. One morning there were about 15 people set up right along our patio with kids screaming and people talking. So if you are looking for a private, quiet get away this may not be your cup of tea. It was walking distance to a restaurant and general store. Landmark restaurant was so yummy and relaxing. Don't miss out! The cabins are definitely in need of updating. I get that this property is old and rustic but there is no need to have dirty floors and furniture. The carpets were extremely dirty and were in much need of cleaning. There was a little tv up on the fridge. It only had two stations we could see. There was a no burn rule going on for the county so we weren't able to use the bbq grills by our cabin. They did have two gas propane grills. Each set up on either side of the property. The one that was closet to us was out of propane. We let them know it was out but nothing was done while we were there. We used a grill that was a bit of a walk with all of our supplies. There were many other families waiting to use the grill also. After waiting for an hour in line to grill we decided to pan fry everything in the cabin. The bathroom looks like it had been updated recently. It looks very nice and clean. The bed was a mattress on a board. I have stayed at other cabins that had the same bed set up. This one was extremely uncomfortable. The staff was very accommodating and welcoming. Was it worth over $200 a night. Definitely not. If it was cheaper I would have overlooked many things. read more

First time visitor. We went up for two nights just based on the description and pictures and were genuinely thrilled with our choice. Excellent staff, nice sized cabin on the creek, very quiet, rustic charm and very comfortable lodging. We were even able to take our small dog. A great place to stay if you want a home base as you explore all there is to do on the Mogollon Rim. read more

Never again!!! What a dump!!! Booked for 3 nights stayed 2 and should have left after 1. To advertise as rustic is one thing, but to still have carpeting from 1950, a filthy uncomfortable excuse for a couch, horrible bedding and a fenced in limited area to explore with a limited access creek that invites a broken ankle or other more serious injuries is not what my girlfriend and I expected! We have stayed in many places up on the rim and have no problem roughing it, but this place took us to a whole new level. My partner spent the whole day of our return washing all clothes we packed for fear of bug infestation though we failed to find a problem. It was just that the overall condition of our accommodations really did make our skin crawl. BTW, we did voice our displeasure with the manager who said she would have the owners contact us, however, we do not expect them to do so. Beware if you book this place and prepare to be less than impressed!!! read more

Christmas season, the place was packed ($80 to $90 per night = 2 Full beds & Kitchenette vs Queen + 2 Twins). Full bed is cheapy spring style. Kitchenette w/ ample counter space served purposes of re-heating prepared dinner, cooling yogurt etc. in fridge, & dripping coffee in the morning. Bathroom/shower sufficient. Decor beautiful rustic :) Fireplace is cute, electric heater functional & sufficient at ~30 F outside Lows. The property is adorable and pushes my rating to 5. Front office staff were kind and professional, helpful to find local trails with little investigation (See Canyon up the hill). The location was convenient, easy to find, and out of the city :) read more

I liked it here at the lodge. The rooms where a little dirty but it is located in the forest. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I was just surprised that you had to go down to the local market and buy a bundle of $5 wood, to build a community campfire. I would of expected that they provide that, at least. All in all, I was happy with the place. read more

I really love it here. If you want to go camping but need a locking door & toilet, this is it! The tandem cabins where we stay are always super clean, and it's in a great location for hikes and rock hunting in the area. read more

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This was such a fun getaway from the Phoenix heat. It was more than 30° cooler than Phoenix (which was 118°) in Christopher Creek this weekend. Don't go here if you want a spa-like hotel or high-tech amenities; Christopher Creek Lodge provides a rustic retreat from busy urban life. The cabin we rented for the weekend (The Fisherman's Cabin, C-6) had a queen bed downstairs in the main room and four twin beds built into the loft above. The small kitchen had a sink and apartment-size range and oven (electric) and had running water (septic system) and electricity. Four adults and one child were cramped but made it work. The creek runs directly past the front porch, and we sat outside under the overhang to watch the afternoon rain. The creek was too low for fishing, but it lent a pleasant sound through the open windows, making for a comfortable bedtime. It was cool enough in the night to use the comforter, which was absolutely delightful. Note: The bathroom is TINY; the shower was incredibly narrow, and it's a tight squeeze past the sink to the toilet. I discovered that changing into my pajamas in the bathroom was an Olympic sport due to the gymnastics required. The office had board games and books available for use; a playground for the kids; multiple gas grills (no campfires or charcoal grills this weekend due to high fire risk); picnic areas; and easy access to the general store and a restaurant immediately next to the property. If you want a camping feel but desire electricity and running water, and not sleeping on the ground, this is the place to go. read more

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This was our 4 the time there, the scenery is unbelievable,the cabins and rooms are perfect! The door was difficult to open and close,and the toilet gets slow at times , but hey , your in the woods and out if this sickening valley. Our only negative is the guy in the office has a personality of a squirrel.hes lazy , very unfriendly, and it looks like he could careless if you are there or not. The ladies who work there make this place feel like home. ,,,,,,,, Back in December,,,,,,. read more

Was there with my 2 kids: 6 and 1, the room's floor was extremely dirty and the young one could not crawl or wonder arround since the fire place was a metal aparatrus in the middle of the room and no one can touch it since it was so hot. NOT A KID FREINDLY PLACE! On top of that the shower curtain fell on my wife as she showered (the brave soul), the kitchen faucet had a huge hole and a lot of water went under the sink. The beds in the attic were so close to each other we could not move or walk arround, not to mention, the triangle shap celing that we could not stand stright. I would not send my kids for a summer camp to a facility that discusting. I had a long long long conversation with the owner convincing him we couldnt stay another night asking for a refund. we got it eventualy. Please consider other places. E.L. read more

Called this place last week and nobody answered. It rolled to an answering machine with NO business name, just a man's voice? Then, get this....THEY NEVER CALLED BACK! WTF? We later called another a competitor, got an answer at 9:30pm and booked. These clowns lost 2 nights of business. I know some competitors may play games writing fake reviews, but this is the truth. You have ONE opportunity to do well in business, and if you f it up, you f it up. Avoid this place. read more