Available sites
60 total sites
RV Sites
Tent Sites
About Houston Mesa
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Year-round
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Equestrian-Friendly
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Pets and Policies
- Equestrian-Friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
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Site Details
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60 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (784)
What Guests Are Saying
Houston Mesa campground offers a pleasant experience with spacious, well-maintained sites nestled among trees, providing a nice atmosphere for relaxation. Many reviewers appreciated the campground's cleanliness, helpful hosts, and convenient location near town amenities. However, some noted issues such as road noise, limited shade, and maintenance concerns with the bathrooms and showers, which could detract from the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Houston Mesa campground offers a pleasant experience with spacious, well-maintained sites nestled among trees, providing a nice atmosphere for relaxation. Many reviewers appreciated the campground's cleanliness, helpful hosts, and convenient location near town amenities. However, some noted issues such as road noise, limited shade, and maintenance concerns with the bathrooms and showers, which could detract from the overall experience.
Review Summary
John B
VerifiedDecember 18, 2019 • Stayed at: 051, Loop: BEAR
I love this campground the location is perfect. And the surrounding is beautiful.
John B
VerifiedDecember 18, 2019 • Stayed at: 051, Loop: BEAR
I love this campground the location is perfect. And the surrounding is beautiful.
Brandi K
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK
The lady that checked us in, i think her name was Beth, has such an awesome attitude and super friendly. We enjoyed our 5 day stay! Only thing to make sure you have are QUARTERS for the showers!
Brandi K
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK
The lady that checked us in, i think her name was Beth, has such an awesome attitude and super friendly. We enjoyed our 5 day stay! Only thing to make sure you have are QUARTERS for the showers!
Holly H
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN
So we have camped here several times throughout the years. It's right outside of town so you get cell service and can go into town for your shopping. I personally like to setup camp then go grocery shopping so I don't have to make room in my vehicle for food on the drive up. It's easy to find and right off the highway. It has flush toilets, sinks and $2 (I think that's the amount) quarter operated showers. They have drinking water there to refill water jugs, and dumpsters for your trash. There are some hiking trails in the campground, that are nice to explore. Each campsite is covered in pine trees for privacy from other campsites, and they include a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. It's a quick drive to anywhere you want to visit in or near Payson like Tonto Creek and the Fish Hatchery. Only con is that you can hear traffic so it's not secluded enough. Wildlife comes into the campground still. Once a camp host and I saw a huge elk doe with her fawn just walking around the campground, it was beautiful.
Holly H
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN
So we have camped here several times throughout the years. It's right outside of town so you get cell service and can go into town for your shopping. I personally like to setup camp then go grocery shopping so I don't have to make room in my vehicle for food on the drive up. It's easy to find and right off the highway. It has flush toilets, sinks and $2 (I think that's the amount) quarter operated showers. They have drinking water there to refill water jugs, and dumpsters for your trash. There are some hiking trails in the campground, that are nice to explore. Each campsite is covered in pine trees for privacy from other campsites, and they include a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. It's a quick drive to anywhere you want to visit in or near Payson like Tonto Creek and the Fish Hatchery. Only con is that you can hear traffic so it's not secluded enough. Wildlife comes into the campground still. Once a camp host and I saw a huge elk doe with her fawn just walking around the campground, it was beautiful.
Steve L
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 059, Loop: MOUN
Houston Mesa is a terrific camp
Steve L
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 059, Loop: MOUN
Houston Mesa is a terrific camp
shannon h
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN
Stayed here memorial weekend and it was a amazing! Labor Day weekend.... that was another story. Major yellow jacket problem, which I’m allergic to. Which resulted in us Buying a covered awning, because they only came out when food was around. Camp host said everyone was having that problem, so we couldn’t change sites. We will definitely be back to this campground, but not once it’s warm.
shannon h
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN
Stayed here memorial weekend and it was a amazing! Labor Day weekend.... that was another story. Major yellow jacket problem, which I’m allergic to. Which resulted in us Buying a covered awning, because they only came out when food was around. Camp host said everyone was having that problem, so we couldn’t change sites. We will definitely be back to this campground, but not once it’s warm.
Location & Directions for Houston Mesa
2100 Houston Mesa Rd, Payson, AZ 85541 United States
Elevation: 1,546 ft
Getting There
From Payson, Arizona, go north for 1 mi to the junction of Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) and Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road). Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 199 for .10 mi. The campground is on the north side of Houston Mesa Road.
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.
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: October 18, 2026
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Population: 16,622
Elevation: 4,961 ft
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