Description

This is an awesome spring! The site surrounding the spring was once a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Their project, was to replant forest in the surrounding area that had been logged as a result of the dense Ponderosa Forest found in the region. The CCC, called “Indian Gardens” home in the spring of 1933. Since that time, the town of Kohls Ranch has placed a tap over the spring to bring it back into their subdivisions. The spring itself however, has overflown the restraints of the tap. Now days, the spring is found gushing out over the wall of what could be the construction of a cement retaining wall that the CCC had built. Just two weeks ago, I was meditating near the spring, when I noticed the water change color. It had gone from clear, in a low turbidity zone, to dark muddy waters in a matter of seconds. As I ran over to the spring, I was amazed to see that the spring had made a new birth. This new place where the spring was pouring out had completely bypassed the tapped section, and now was coming out from just beneath the above mentioned cement retaining wall. It was a very cool thing to be witness to, as I had just filled my water there moments before.

Nearest Address

Kohls Ranch

Directions from Nearest Address

Head East out of Payson on highway AZ-260. Travel approximately 15 miles. Look for the “Paleo Site”, which is the turn just before the Indian Gardens site. Make a right onto the unmarked road. (If you have made it to a left hand turn after the “Paleo Site”, you have gone too far. A turn around can get you back in just a few moments time.) The unmarked road is paved initially and maintains for only 100-150 yards, and then turns to gravel. Approximately 10 yards after it has turned to gravel you will come across a gate. The state of Arizona keeps the gate locked as Indian Gardens is used as a pick-up spot for huge water pillows which are used in the event of a fire in the surrounding area. Get out of your car, and cross the small gate. Proceed down the dirt trail roughly 100 yards. As you start to approach a small bridge, the sound of gushing water should be unmistakable. The spring is to the West of the small bridge by roughly 10 yards.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Open day/night

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Indian Gardens Spring Map

Submitted by: Andrew Fiala