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
Elizabeth W
VerifiedMay 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN
Nice private spots. Road noise is a bit much sometimes.
Elizabeth W
VerifiedMay 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN
Nice private spots. Road noise is a bit much sometimes.
Mike G
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: MULE
Nicely shaded spot at 28. I had a very relaxing 5 days at the campsite. Bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground. The gate to the trailhead is a little sketchy.
Road noise is my only complaint, but I went to this campground for its proximity to Payson. I knew what I was getting into.
Mike G
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: MULE
Nicely shaded spot at 28. I had a very relaxing 5 days at the campsite. Bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground. The gate to the trailhead is a little sketchy.
Road noise is my only complaint, but I went to this campground for its proximity to Payson. I knew what I was getting into.
Rebecca S
VerifiedJune 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 071, Loop: MOUN
This was our first-time tent camping here. It was actually are really nice, semi-private site, we were able to pitch the tent tucked under the trees for shade. The bathroom was clean & always stocked with toilet paper. There was some traffic noise but with music and fire crackling in the pit, we barely noticed. We will definitely consider camping here again.
Rebecca S
VerifiedJune 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 071, Loop: MOUN
This was our first-time tent camping here. It was actually are really nice, semi-private site, we were able to pitch the tent tucked under the trees for shade. The bathroom was clean & always stocked with toilet paper. There was some traffic noise but with music and fire crackling in the pit, we barely noticed. We will definitely consider camping here again.
Marcela B
VerifiedJune 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: MOUN
We had a great time there. Only problem we had there was, the showers were closed for the season. Not sure exactly why. 😢
Marcela B
VerifiedJune 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: MOUN
We had a great time there. Only problem we had there was, the showers were closed for the season. Not sure exactly why. 😢
Susan L
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 056, Loop: BEAR
1) Our campsite was not clean. Upon arrival, we picked up a plastic water bottle, a large plastic ice bag, and a myriad of small papers and trash. Ashes in the fire pit from the previous guests had not been removed either.
2) The bathroom was not clean. We did not see anyone clean or disinfect it during our two days there. I myself picked up alot of toilet paper on the floor, a plastic bottle, cleaned up toothpaste in the sink, and so on.
3) Your website advertises that showers are available at Houston Mesa. The showers were all marked "closed" while we were there. This is false advertising. We were very disappointed.
4) No one enforced the 10pm noise deadline. We like Campsite #21, but particularly on our second night, the group next to us was noisy until 1:30 am, which is not fair to us. They were laughing and talking loudly as if they were the only guests at the campground. I too had to ask them to turn down their music in the afternoon because it was quite loud. We're fine with ordinary noise and music and guests having a good time, but this behavior was disrespectful to their neighbors.
Conclusion: From our experiences and disappointment this time, we will not return to Houston Mesa. We were very happy to leave on Saturday, June 5, and again, we will not return.
Susan L
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 056, Loop: BEAR
1) Our campsite was not clean. Upon arrival, we picked up a plastic water bottle, a large plastic ice bag, and a myriad of small papers and trash. Ashes in the fire pit from the previous guests had not been removed either.
2) The bathroom was not clean. We did not see anyone clean or disinfect it during our two days there. I myself picked up alot of toilet paper on the floor, a plastic bottle, cleaned up toothpaste in the sink, and so on.
3) Your website advertises that showers are available at Houston Mesa. The showers were all marked "closed" while we were there. This is false advertising. We were very disappointed.
4) No one enforced the 10pm noise deadline. We like Campsite #21, but particularly on our second night, the group next to us was noisy until 1:30 am, which is not fair to us. They were laughing and talking loudly as if they were the only guests at the campground. I too had to ask them to turn down their music in the afternoon because it was quite loud. We're fine with ordinary noise and music and guests having a good time, but this behavior was disrespectful to their neighbors.
Conclusion: From our experiences and disappointment this time, we will not return to Houston Mesa. We were very happy to leave on Saturday, June 5, and again, we will not return.
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
