Camp Tontozona dates for ASU football minicamp, open scrimmage announced

Arizona State football’s annual trip to Camp Tontozona, about two hours north of the Valley heat, has its date.

The Sun Devils will head up to the campsite east of Payson after their morning practice on Tuesday, spending the rest of the week there ahead of Saturday morning’s open scrimmage, the team announced Thursday.

It will come in ASU’s second week of fall camp, providing the team not only a reprieve from the heat, but also a more insulated environment where there are fewer distractions and only each other to lean on.

The site has rich history for the program, dating to when legendary head coach Frank Kush established the site in 1959.

The team will take part in some of the more basic traditions (talks around a campfire or roasting snacks) as well as the ones more unique to Camp T, such as climbing to the top of Mount Kush, where players under coach Kenny Dillingham have written and buried messages to their future selves to be read later.

Another recent staple has been a dodgeball tournament, where the competitive fire shines through. Some players have come up with their own traditions too, as defensive end Clayton Smith has found the area is good for snake hunting.

But they’re not just up there for fun, as plenty of football work will get done. For example, Sam Leavitt made his lead over Jeff Sims in the 2024 quarterback competition clear while up north. This year’s trip may go similarly, as Cutter Boley is among the ASU signal-callers fighting for that same separation.

What should fans attending ASU’s Camp Tontozona know?

Fans are welcome on Saturday, Aug. 15, for an open scrimmage likely beginning at 9 a.m. MST, weather permitting.

Attendees should be prepared to park along US 260, where shuttles will be available to take attendees closer to the field.

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