Punkin Center is an unincorporated community in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The community is located within the Tonto Basin at the confluence of Reno and Tonto creeks.[1] Payson is 29 miles to the north along Arizona Route 188 and Arizona Route 87. Roosevelt Lake is eight miles to the south on Route 188.[2]
On September 11, 2019, fugitives Blane and Susan Barksdale, who had escaped from a prisoner transport van the month prior, were captured by U.S. Marshals at a home in Punkin Center.[3]