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
Kenny W
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: ELK
The camp host in are area was over the top. They made our experience even better
Kenny W
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: ELK
The camp host in are area was over the top. They made our experience even better
Kyle J
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 053, Loop: BEAR
Great campground with good facilities and friendly staff. Our family enjoyed the proximity to Payson while still be remote and spaced out enough to have privacy.
Kyle J
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 053, Loop: BEAR
Great campground with good facilities and friendly staff. Our family enjoyed the proximity to Payson while still be remote and spaced out enough to have privacy.
Neomia N
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: ELK
We absolutely love staying at Houston Mesa and this will be our fourth time coming rather you’re in a tent or an RV this is a wonderful place to go camping. I love the fact that it is extremely secluded and you feel like you’re completely surrounded by the forest but literally less than 1 mi away is Walmart grocery store a gas station and tons of restaurants in case you choose to venture out. Great place for family and good memories and the host is extremely nice And welcoming to all.
Neomia N
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: ELK
We absolutely love staying at Houston Mesa and this will be our fourth time coming rather you’re in a tent or an RV this is a wonderful place to go camping. I love the fact that it is extremely secluded and you feel like you’re completely surrounded by the forest but literally less than 1 mi away is Walmart grocery store a gas station and tons of restaurants in case you choose to venture out. Great place for family and good memories and the host is extremely nice And welcoming to all.
Alan S
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: MOUN
Very nice
Alan S
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: MOUN
Very nice
Zachary R
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: MULE
Horse camps don't get much better than this. A stone's throw from town with a technical 9 mi loop leading out of the campsite for $20? David, the camp host was quite amiable (didn't formally meet his wife) and kept everything ship-shape. There were buckets at the spigots to haul water and a two dumpsters on the loop. It was a wonderful trail, with a gulley at mile 6 or so with a creek where I let the horses (I was ponying) loose to graze and drink. Make sure you tie a lead rope around those corral gates, because ours were shifted and warped and easily came open (guessin' most everyone's horses know how to undo latches anyway).
Bruce M
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 061, Loop: MOUN
We really like this campground and Payson. Some great hikes and nice people especially the hosts at the campground. Unfortunately all the showers were locked and not working and many of the bathrooms were also locked so we were always waiting in line to use the few available.
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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