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

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.

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 .

David W

Verified

October 12, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK

2

The reservation system is terrible, charges for just making a reservations or changes or canceling within 10 days out no means of curtailing your reservation after it started . The park staff were nice but had no means to help me with the reservation system issues. The helpline was no help saying that I wasn't checked in so they couldn't modify reservation; said park staff had to check me in. Park staff don't have system access to do checking in. The park is dry camping with dump site out of order

David W

Verified

October 12, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK

2

The reservation system is terrible, charges for just making a reservations or changes or canceling within 10 days out no means of curtailing your reservation after it started . The park staff were nice but had no means to help me with the reservation system issues. The helpline was no help saying that I wasn't checked in so they couldn't modify reservation; said park staff had to check me in. Park staff don't have system access to do checking in. The park is dry camping with dump site out of order

Mohamed C

Verified

October 10, 2021 Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN

5

Sites are a lot more private than other campgrounds. Bathrooms are clean and great!
Definitely coming back.
Wildlife gets wild at night, which is one of the reasons we'll be coming back.

Mohamed C

Verified

October 10, 2021 Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN

5

Sites are a lot more private than other campgrounds. Bathrooms are clean and great!
Definitely coming back.
Wildlife gets wild at night, which is one of the reasons we'll be coming back.

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 

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: September 3, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service