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

Available sites

60 total 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.

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
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 005, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 007, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🏕️ 007, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 008, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 009, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🏕️ 009, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 010, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 011, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 013, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🏕️ 013, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 014, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🏕️ 014, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 015, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 016, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 018, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🏕️ 018, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 020, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 021, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 023, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 024, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 027, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🏕️ 028, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 029, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ 030, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 040, Loop: BEAR Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 041, Loop: BEAR Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 042, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 043, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 044, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 045, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 046, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 047, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 048, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 049, Loop: BEAR Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 050, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 051, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 052, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 053, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 056, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 057, Loop: BEAR Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 058, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 059, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 060, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 061, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 063, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 064, Loop: MOUN Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 065, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 066, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 067, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 068, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 069, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 070, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 071, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 072, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 077, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 078, Loop: MOUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 Group Site 2, Loop: Fox RV
Pet Friendly

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.

Review Summary

4.3
784 reviews
5
61.1%
479
4
19.3%
151
3
11.0%
86
2
5.0%
39
1
3.7%
29

Shaylee N

Verified

March 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: MOUN

2

Hosts were sticklers about driving our street legal RZR to the trash can. Told us we could only come and go to our campsite and out of the camp grounds. Meanwhile, generators were going all night long and dogs barking all the time. Dump station was closed. I don't think we will be back.

Carla J

Verified

March 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: BEAR

4

The campsite was very neat and clean. Unfortunately the showers were closed due to Covid. Bathrooms were super clean. There was a bit of road noise but the campers were quiet and friendly. We would return to this beautiful site

Rhicon T

Verified

March 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN

5

Great host

Rhicon T

Verified

March 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 058, Loop: MOUN

5

Great host

Denine D

Verified

March 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 048, Loop: BEAR

5

Lovely campground. Bathrooms were clean, campground host friendly and helpful, sites were not too close and we loved all the trees surrounding each site which helped give a feel of seclusion. I would definitely stay here again.

Denine D

Verified

March 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 048, Loop: BEAR

5

Lovely campground. Bathrooms were clean, campground host friendly and helpful, sites were not too close and we loved all the trees surrounding each site which helped give a feel of seclusion. I would definitely stay here again.

Michael S

Verified

March 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 065, Loop: MOUN

5

The layout of the campground is excellent, we were in Mountain Lion loop and our site had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2nd car, but even better was the picnic table and campfire area was behind our rig and completely surrounded by trees and brush so we had lots of privacy as we shared special moments with our grandkids. The kids loved the nature trail from our loop that wound thru the woods with nice signage and informative plaques teaching people about nature and how the environment provides something for animals and humans. A great 6 days, it even snowed 1" on our first night so the kids were thrilled. The only disappointing thing was the showers and dump station was closed due to freezing temperatures. Big shout out to the Host in Bear loop (Don) who was Great and had a fantastic attitude, very customer service oriented.

Michael S

Verified

March 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 065, Loop: MOUN

5

The layout of the campground is excellent, we were in Mountain Lion loop and our site had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2nd car, but even better was the picnic table and campfire area was behind our rig and completely surrounded by trees and brush so we had lots of privacy as we shared special moments with our grandkids. The kids loved the nature trail from our loop that wound thru the woods with nice signage and informative plaques teaching people about nature and how the environment provides something for animals and humans. A great 6 days, it even snowed 1" on our first night so the kids were thrilled. The only disappointing thing was the showers and dump station was closed due to freezing temperatures. Big shout out to the Host in Bear loop (Don) who was Great and had a fantastic attitude, very customer service oriented.

Stacy R

Verified

March 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 048, Loop: BEAR

5

Camping here was great but the weekends were a bit loud with the teenagers and families with dogs who did not respect the quiet times.

Paul B

Verified

March 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ELK

4

This was our 1st camping experience at the Houston Mesa in Payson,Az all of the loops and RV spaces are asphalt. We were able to switch our reserved spot to another pull-thru that was available. The camp stops were neat and groomed. The restrooms were clean, but no showers available [Covid BS]. The dump stations closed for winter but the Speeway gas station 2 mi away, on our way back home. There is a nice nature trail within the grounds.

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.

Nearest town

Payson, AZ - 2.6 mi

About 7 min to downtown

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


Last updated: October 18, 2026

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Explore Payson, AZ

Population: 16,622

Nearby larger city

Scottsdale, AZ

Approx. 64 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,961 ft

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