Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates60 total sites
RV Sites
30 sites
Tent Sites
17 sites
About Houston Mesa
Number of accommodations: 60
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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
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Site Details
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60 Sites Available
No available sites
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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.
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
Ashley O
VerifiedDecember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: BEAR
Clean restrooms, had elk in camp in the early morning, clean trails and paths for a walk. Lots of coyote activity to listen to this time of year
Ashley O
VerifiedDecember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: BEAR
Clean restrooms, had elk in camp in the early morning, clean trails and paths for a walk. Lots of coyote activity to listen to this time of year
Joey S
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: ELK
We’ve stayed here several times and we love it
Joey S
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: ELK
We’ve stayed here several times and we love it
Spencer H
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 056, Loop: BEAR
The hosts were great and did their best to give us a great experience. However the location was not ideal. Wood to be burnt was absolutely nowhere to be found other than the wood for sale at $8 a bundle from the hosts. Meaning while camping in January, you'll need to spend $24+ per night just to have a fire. Highway sounds were slightly audible from the campsite, it wasn't super loud so I didn't mind but someone wanting a quiet experience would definitely be bothered. My group had a great time, the site just wasn't what I would have wanted out of a campground I have to pay to stay at. Especially when there are locations free to use within 30 minutes of Houston Mesa where you can find wood to burn and more privacy. In a group with some new campers I did appreciate that we were about a 5 minute drive from our site to Payson. I'd recommend this place to people new to camping who have money to spend on firewood and who won't be bothered by the minimal but still audible noise of the nearby highway.
Spencer H
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 056, Loop: BEAR
The hosts were great and did their best to give us a great experience. However the location was not ideal. Wood to be burnt was absolutely nowhere to be found other than the wood for sale at $8 a bundle from the hosts. Meaning while camping in January, you'll need to spend $24+ per night just to have a fire. Highway sounds were slightly audible from the campsite, it wasn't super loud so I didn't mind but someone wanting a quiet experience would definitely be bothered. My group had a great time, the site just wasn't what I would have wanted out of a campground I have to pay to stay at. Especially when there are locations free to use within 30 minutes of Houston Mesa where you can find wood to burn and more privacy. In a group with some new campers I did appreciate that we were about a 5 minute drive from our site to Payson. I'd recommend this place to people new to camping who have money to spend on firewood and who won't be bothered by the minimal but still audible noise of the nearby highway.
Christy P
January 21, 2022
Very tidy horse camp. Trail leaves right out of camp. All well maintained. Clean site and bathroom. Very friendly camp host
Christy P
January 21, 2022
Very tidy horse camp. Trail leaves right out of camp. All well maintained. Clean site and bathroom. Very friendly camp host
Corinne C
VerifiedJanuary 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: ELK
site was clean, host was helpful
Corinne C
VerifiedJanuary 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: ELK
site was clean, host was helpful
Location Houston Mesa
Address:
2100 Houston Mesa Rd
Payson, AZ, 85541
United States
From Payson, Arizona, go north for 1 mile to the junction of Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) and Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road). Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 199 for .10 miles. The campground is on the north side of Houston Mesa Road.
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
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
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 3, 2026
