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
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.
Trent H
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: ELK
Great camp site and great hosts.
Trent H
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: ELK
Great camp site and great hosts.
Jennifer P
VerifiedAugust 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: BEAR
Campground was perfect for families, lots of clean toilets throughout Campground. Nature hike was fun.
Jennifer P
VerifiedAugust 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 046, Loop: BEAR
Campground was perfect for families, lots of clean toilets throughout Campground. Nature hike was fun.
Rudy M
VerifiedAugust 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK
Excelente campground
Rudy M
VerifiedAugust 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK
Excelente campground
D Lynn G
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK
We stayed in the Elk Circle. Grounds were exceptionally well kept. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. Camp Hosts were extremely friendly and made you feel at home. We had terrible thunderstorms through the night, and they came through and checked on every camp that morning. Tonto Natural Bridge is a short drive away and worth the visit. Payson is very close for any forgotten items. Plenty of elk and other wildlife in the area. Loved our time there and will go back.
D Lynn G
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK
We stayed in the Elk Circle. Grounds were exceptionally well kept. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. Camp Hosts were extremely friendly and made you feel at home. We had terrible thunderstorms through the night, and they came through and checked on every camp that morning. Tonto Natural Bridge is a short drive away and worth the visit. Payson is very close for any forgotten items. Plenty of elk and other wildlife in the area. Loved our time there and will go back.
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
Elevation: 4,961 ft
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