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

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

Sites & Availability

60 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
007, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
008, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
009, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
010, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
011, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
013, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
014, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
015, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
016, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 018, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
018, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 020, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 027, Loop: ELK
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
028, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
029, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
030, Loop: MULE
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$22.00
/ per night
040, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
041, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
042, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
043, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
044, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
045, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
046, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
047, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
048, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
049, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
050, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
051, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
052, Loop: BEAR
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
053, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
056, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
057, Loop: BEAR
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 058, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 059, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 060, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 061, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 063, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
064, Loop: MOUN
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 065, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 066, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 067, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 068, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 069, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 070, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 071, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 072, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 077, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 078, Loop: MOUN
Electric Only
$29.00
/ per night
🚐 Group Site 2, Loop: Fox
No Hookups
$170.00
/ per night

Reviews (374)

What Guests Are Saying

Houston Mesa campground offers spacious and clean sites, with friendly and helpful hosts. The location is convenient, providing easy access to nearby amenities and a beautiful natural setting. However, some visitors noted issues with road noise, limited bathroom facilities, and the absence of showers, which impacted their overall experience.

Review Summary

4.3
374 reviews
5
61.2%
229
4
19.8%
74
3
10.4%
39
2
4.8%
18
1
3.7%
14

Dane T

Verified

June 22, 2022 Stayed at: 057, Loop: BEAR

4

We enjoyed our stay! The only thing I would like to see changed is there is no ventilation in the bathrooms or showers. We were so extremely warm after our showers since we couldn't change the temp of the water and no fan to help with relief.

Christopher G

Verified

June 12, 2022 Stayed at: 042, Loop: BEAR

5

I really enjoyed my campsite at Houston Mesa. It was very clean and secluded in the woods. The shower facilities were good too. My only complaint is the campsite was a little too close to the road and I could hear the traffic on Hwy 87 pretty loudly at night.

Jennifer S

Verified

June 12, 2022 Stayed at: 046, Loop: BEAR

3

The campground was clean however a lot of facilities were not working and/or out of order. Zero info on showers or what they cost (bring $3 in quarters for each shower you want per person ahead of time). No info on no campfires of any kind was on site and this was the noisiest campsite ive ever been to. It was 12:45 until I could go to bed bc the ATVs and off roading/reving of engines on off road vehicles was excessive. Which shocked me since it seemed like the campground people were always watching you! We saw them multiple times a day. Got yelled at for parking in wrong spot even though they are not marked spots. I would not return bc I camp to get away from all this (people/ noise/ stalkers/ etc) and it seemed like it was a hotel in the woods (with no amenities). Also one toilet for over 15 campsites seems ridiculous! They had another toilet but it wasn’t open.

Karen S

Verified

June 1, 2022 Stayed at: 070, Loop: MOUN

5

No public review

Marcia V

Verified

May 31, 2022 Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN

4

Nice campsite. Only a few for our 40’ 3 slides. But really, $10 to dump when camping!!

Amanda V

Verified

May 26, 2022 Stayed at: 041, Loop: BEAR

5

I just started camping with my dog this year. This campground was fantastic! There are separate loops with sites better suited for campers/RVs and tent camping.
The bathrooms were clean...although they did get dirty with use over the weekend (and reasonably so, given how many people were there). But it's great to have toilet paper and flushing toilets.
This is really conveniently located just outside of Payson - literally across the street from Home Depot. You can hear the traffic, but are hard pressed to see it. I'm definitely marking this as one of my favorites.

Ari Victor C

Verified

May 24, 2022 Stayed at: 048, Loop: BEAR

5

Great camp-site. Clean. Camp sites are well maintained and offer good privacy.

Overall a great experience.

Janine F

Verified

May 23, 2022 Stayed at: 043, Loop: BEAR

5

Love this place!!

James J

Verified

May 16, 2022 Stayed at: 027, Loop: ELK

4

Very clean bathrooms and campsights. The camp hosts were exceptional. Being close to Payson was a plus for me.

george i

Verified

May 15, 2022 Stayed at: 072, Loop: MOUN

4

there are 3 loops and all have the same # 1- 26. If you miss sign you'll end up in wrong space like we did !!

Location Houston Mesa

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

Latitude & Longitude: 34.27 / -111.314

Elevation: 1546 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Extra vehicle charge of $8 per night is required. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine.

General

No firewood sales available at campground. Plan to purchase ahead of time.

General

Check in time is 2:00pm and check out time is 11:00am. Quiet Hours are from 10:00pm to 6:00am.

General

Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest Land.

General

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.

General

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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