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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No available sites
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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
Christina R
VerifiedMay 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 072, Loop: MOUN
The location is close in to Payson and at first I was concerned that it would not be private enough. The campsites were private and very nice. Clean bathrooms. And if you feel like Starbucks in the morning it's only about a mile away.
Kim P
VerifiedMay 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 072, Loop: MOUN
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David O
VerifiedMay 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN
Very, very clean ,the bath room very clean we were there 3 day 2 nights and did not see even a piece of paper on the ground and the people how worked there were nice
David O
VerifiedMay 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN
Very, very clean ,the bath room very clean we were there 3 day 2 nights and did not see even a piece of paper on the ground and the people how worked there were nice
Stephanie B
VerifiedMay 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: MOUN
Campground was very quiet and well maintained. Lots of hiking around and the camp host were very nice. If you want to use the showers, they are $3.00 for 6 minutes and it only takes quarters. The host does have quarters if you have the cash.
Stephanie B
VerifiedMay 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: MOUN
Campground was very quiet and well maintained. Lots of hiking around and the camp host were very nice. If you want to use the showers, they are $3.00 for 6 minutes and it only takes quarters. The host does have quarters if you have the cash.
Lucretia O
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: ELK
Loved our time there.
Tanya H
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: ELK
We stayed in elk 21. The campsite is really nice. There is room for 2-3 large tents under the shade of the trees. We had two tents and a privacy tent. Our teardrop trailer, suv, and double cab truck fit snuggly in the drive. The campsites are very clean. Even the ashes were removed from the metal fire ring, with decomposed granite put in there. We could hear road noise from 87, and elk 21 is right by the check in booth/entrance, so we heard that too. Being from a city, we tuned that out. Unfortunately, we had an RV next to us that used their generator from 6-10pm both nights. So, as we were trying to relax by the campfire all we heard was their obnoxious generator. Quiet time is 10pm, and the first night another generator ran from 11p-12a. Bummer! There is fresh ground water available out of pumps around the campground, and the bathrooms are flushing and very clean. We would stay there again, maybe in mountain lion loop. We still prefer dispersed camping.
Lucretia O
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: ELK
Loved our time there.
Tanya H
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: ELK
We stayed in elk 21. The campsite is really nice. There is room for 2-3 large tents under the shade of the trees. We had two tents and a privacy tent. Our teardrop trailer, suv, and double cab truck fit snuggly in the drive. The campsites are very clean. Even the ashes were removed from the metal fire ring, with decomposed granite put in there. We could hear road noise from 87, and elk 21 is right by the check in booth/entrance, so we heard that too. Being from a city, we tuned that out. Unfortunately, we had an RV next to us that used their generator from 6-10pm both nights. So, as we were trying to relax by the campfire all we heard was their obnoxious generator. Quiet time is 10pm, and the first night another generator ran from 11p-12a. Bummer! There is fresh ground water available out of pumps around the campground, and the bathrooms are flushing and very clean. We would stay there again, maybe in mountain lion loop. We still prefer dispersed camping.
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
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