OutReserve

Houston Mesa

Houston Mesa wooded view of trees and vegetation
Houston Mesa entrance
Houston Mesa Amphitheater
Houston Mesa trailhead
HOUSTON MESA

About Houston Mesa

Houston Mesa Campground is located in the forested northern section of Tonto National Forest, just one mile north of Payson, Arizona and less than two hours from Phoenix. With family, equestrian and tent-only campsites, this campground can accommodate a range of visitors and offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails nearby. As the fifth largest forest in the United States, the Tonto National Forest is one of the most-visited "urban" forests in the United States (approximately 5.8 million visitors annually). Its boundaries are Phoenix to the south, the Mogollon Rim to the north and the San Carlos and Fort Apache Indian reservations to the east.

Number of accommodations: 60

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

60 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 006, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
007, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
008, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
009, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
010, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
011, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 013, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
013, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 014, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
014, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
015, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
016, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
018, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 020, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 023, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 024, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 027, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
Price not available
028, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
029, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
030, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
040, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
041, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
042, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
043, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
044, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
045, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
046, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
047, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
048, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
049, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
050, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
051, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
052, Loop: BEAR
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
053, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
056, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
057, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 058, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 059, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 060, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 061, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 063, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
064, Loop: MOUN
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 065, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 066, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 067, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 068, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 069, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 070, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 071, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 072, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 077, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 078, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 Group Site 2, Loop: Fox
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (762)

What Guests Are Saying

Houston Mesa Campground is praised for its clean facilities, spacious sites, and friendly camp hosts, offering a peaceful camping experience with abundant vegetation for privacy. While the location is convenient with easy access to amenities, some guests noted significant road noise from the nearby highway and occasional maintenance issues like closed showers. Overall, many campers enjoyed their stay and appreciated the campground's natural beauty and cleanliness.

Review Summary

4.3
762 reviews
5
61.0%
465
4
19.4%
148
3
10.9%
83
2
5.0%
38
1
3.7%
28

Peter G

Verified

May 19, 2026 Stayed at: 009, Loop: ELK

5

Camp post Ryan was very nice and polite. The campground was in clean condition. Other campers driving through the area observe the speed limit. During quiet times things were quiet. So I cannot find any negative points. I’ve stayed here before and have always had a good experience.

monica p

Verified

May 12, 2026 Stayed at: 030, Loop: MULE

5

Nice campground with flashable toilets. Very peaceful place. Spacious sites and lots of vegetation, so you don't see your neighbors.

Alexis Q

Verified

May 11, 2026 Stayed at: 064, Loop: MOUN

3

The location is great, being right off the road and up the street from some stores. The downside is the site was RIGHT against the Houston Mesa road and we heard the traffic ALL through the night which kind of takes away from the peaceful aspect of camping. The first night was terrible. Aside from the traffic, someone was partying late into the night and we heard their music, and later in the night some people were fighting. The second night was fine. Or maybe I was just too tired from the first night and slept through it all.
The site is decent shaded but we still had multiple gazebos up. We were able to fit about four tents and had room for another. It is a lil slope-y so a couple of us were leaning in our tents. The bathrooms are nice since they are flushable and had running water (but no soap). I wouldn’t go back unless I found a deeper site that wasn’t too close to the road.

Austin E

Verified

May 7, 2026 Stayed at: 070, Loop: MOUN

5

I really enjoy my time camping at Houston Mesa campground. The sites are always clean and there are so many trees you feel like you’re in the forest but you’re right there in town. It’s convenient. And the camp hosts are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend.

Cheryl B

Verified

April 24, 2026 Stayed at: 077, Loop: MOUN

5

I was disappointed that the showers had been shut down. The bathrooms need some TLC but the camp-host kept them clean.

Cheryl B

Verified

April 24, 2026 Stayed at: 077, Loop: MOUN

5

I was disappointed that the showers had been shut down. The bathrooms need some TLC but the camp-host kept them clean.

Dave B

Verified

April 24, 2026 Stayed at: 078, Loop: MOUN

2

Maintenance at this campground has been poor. The host tries to do a good job, but it appears the forest service has different ideas. The showers were closed because of inoperative equipment and it will probably stay that way for a long time.

Dave B

Verified

April 24, 2026 Stayed at: 078, Loop: MOUN

2

Maintenance at this campground has been poor. The host tries to do a good job, but it appears the forest service has different ideas. The showers were closed because of inoperative equipment and it will probably stay that way for a long time.

Jerome P

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 042, Loop: BEAR

3

Camp site was HUGE! Very clean and well maintained facility. First time here so did not realize it is right off the Bline highway so the sound of traffic was there all night long. The camp host was great and very helpful. We will be back for sure

Joanna T

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 020, Loop: ELK

5

Very clean. Privacy between campsites. Need a vehicle to get to all the close places to hike.

Location Houston Mesa

Address:
2100 Houston Mesa Rd
Payson, AZ, 85541
United States

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Highway 87 (Beeline Highway), which is located approximately 1 mile south of the junction with Houston Mesa Road.

Latitude & Longitude: 34.27 / -111.314

Elevation: 1546 feet

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

11AM

General

  • Extra vehicle charge of $8 per night is required. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine.
  • No firewood sales available at campground. Plan to purchase ahead of time.
  • Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest Land.
  • For first come first serve sites, you must physically arrive at the campground to see if the campsite is available. There is no guarantee this site will be available to purchase upon your arrival.
  • Campers who reserve sites 7 - 18 in Horse Camp (Mule Loop) are required to have horses or mules present. You do not need to have any to use sites 2 - 6 and 19 - 30 

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 3, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service