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

Cheryl F

Verified

October 28, 2021 Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN

4

While the location didn't work for us, it is by far one of my favorite campgrounds in Arizona for boondocking. Lots of trails, sits in the middle of the trees with amazing smells, and campsites are very dispersed; however because my husband and I were working we require there to be wifi. We were told it was fairly strong there but even with our booster we could not connect well enough to work. Unfortunately for us that is a no go. I highly recommend this location if you're able to unplug and just enjoy the outdoors. We have Verizon and AT&T. We ended up having to leave early and go to another not so wonderful campground with better wifi. We did take breaks and lunches walking the trails at Houston Mesa!

Cheryl F

Verified

October 28, 2021 Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN

4

While the location didn't work for us, it is by far one of my favorite campgrounds in Arizona for boondocking. Lots of trails, sits in the middle of the trees with amazing smells, and campsites are very dispersed; however because my husband and I were working we require there to be wifi. We were told it was fairly strong there but even with our booster we could not connect well enough to work. Unfortunately for us that is a no go. I highly recommend this location if you're able to unplug and just enjoy the outdoors. We have Verizon and AT&T. We ended up having to leave early and go to another not so wonderful campground with better wifi. We did take breaks and lunches walking the trails at Houston Mesa!

brian b

Verified

October 21, 2021 Stayed at: 041, Loop: BEAR

5

Always a great stay at Houston mesa. Camp host is super nice. Bathrooms clean, grounds manicured and clean. Will definitely be going back again

brian b

Verified

October 21, 2021 Stayed at: 041, Loop: BEAR

5

Always a great stay at Houston mesa. Camp host is super nice. Bathrooms clean, grounds manicured and clean. Will definitely be going back again

Angela Y

Verified

October 19, 2021 Stayed at: 046, Loop: BEAR

3

We had numerous issues at Houston Mesa. It is a beautiful area, but the days we were there, October 8-10, the host was not only rude and confrontational, but his knowledge about handicapped camping spots and parking areas was erroneous and caused so much conflict, that we weren't really able to enjoy our short stay. We had reserved a handicapped spot, and both vehicles we used had handicapped stickers. He forced us to park our two vehicles so close together, and then he directed 2 more vehicles to park in the same handicapped spot, that weren't handicapped stickered. He threatened to call the sheriff if we complained, but we decided to leave 2 days early from a trip that we had planned for months. I hope that he doesn't treat all guests this way, because if he does, I can't imagine who could enjoy staying there.

Angela Y

Verified

October 19, 2021 Stayed at: 046, Loop: BEAR

3

We had numerous issues at Houston Mesa. It is a beautiful area, but the days we were there, October 8-10, the host was not only rude and confrontational, but his knowledge about handicapped camping spots and parking areas was erroneous and caused so much conflict, that we weren't really able to enjoy our short stay. We had reserved a handicapped spot, and both vehicles we used had handicapped stickers. He forced us to park our two vehicles so close together, and then he directed 2 more vehicles to park in the same handicapped spot, that weren't handicapped stickered. He threatened to call the sheriff if we complained, but we decided to leave 2 days early from a trip that we had planned for months. I hope that he doesn't treat all guests this way, because if he does, I can't imagine who could enjoy staying there.

cristi p

October 18, 2021

5

Lovely, clean, we’ll maintained! Bathrooms super clean- we had great time! 5 stars!

cristi p

October 18, 2021

5

Lovely, clean, we’ll maintained! Bathrooms super clean- we had great time! 5 stars!

netty c

Verified

October 15, 2021 Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN

5

I love the camp host they were super sweet and loving .

netty c

Verified

October 15, 2021 Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN

5

I love the camp host they were super sweet and loving .

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 4, 2026

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