Houston Mesa

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

Featured amenities

Equestrian-Friendly Equestrian-Friendly
Restrooms Restrooms

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

60 total sites

RV Sites

30 sites

Tent Sites

17 sites

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

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

Year-round

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

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Equestrian-Friendly Equestrian-Friendly
Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Equestrian-Friendly
Missing information?

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

Reviews (778)

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

4.3
778 reviews
5
60.9%
474
4
19.4%
151
3
11.1%
86
2
4.9%
38
1
3.7%
29

John B

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 051, Loop: BEAR

5

I love this campground the location is perfect. And the surrounding is beautiful.

John B

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 051, Loop: BEAR

5

I love this campground the location is perfect. And the surrounding is beautiful.

Brandi K

Verified

December 19, 2019 Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK

5

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

Verified

December 19, 2019 Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK

5

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

Verified

January 9, 2020 Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN

4

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

Verified

January 9, 2020 Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN

4

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

Verified

January 14, 2020 Stayed at: 059, Loop: MOUN

4

Houston Mesa is a terrific camp

Steve L

Verified

January 14, 2020 Stayed at: 059, Loop: MOUN

4

Houston Mesa is a terrific camp

shannon h

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN

3

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

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN

3

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 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.

Elevation: 1546 feet

Distance to downtown

2.6 mi drive to downtown Payson (about 7 min)

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 

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Last updated: September 3, 2026

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