Houston Mesa

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

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

60 total sites

RV Sites

30 sites

Tent Sites

17 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.

Number of accommodations: 60

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
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 006, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🏕️ 007, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 008, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🏕️ 009, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 010, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 011, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 013, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🏕️ 013, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 014, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🏕️ 014, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 015, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 016, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🏕️ 018, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 020, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 023, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 024, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 027, Loop: ELK RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🏕️ 028, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 029, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏕️ 030, Loop: MULE Equestrian
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
040, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
041, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
042, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
043, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
044, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
045, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
046, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
047, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
048, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
049, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
050, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
051, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
052, Loop: BEAR Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
053, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
056, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
057, Loop: BEAR Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 058, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 059, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 060, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 061, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 063, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
064, Loop: MOUN Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 065, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 066, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 067, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 068, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 069, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 070, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 071, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 072, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 077, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 078, Loop: MOUN RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 Group Site 2, Loop: Fox RV
No Hookups
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.3
778 reviews
5
60.9%
474
4
19.4%
151
3
11.1%
86
2
4.9%
38
1
3.7%
29

Robert O

Verified

August 26, 2020 Stayed at: 064, Loop: MOUN

4

The site was next to a road so there was a bit of road noise but only enough to mention. The site was super clean and easy to clean up lots of trash cans close by. The site host was super nice and helpful.

Madison B

Verified

August 26, 2020 Stayed at: 060, Loop: MOUN

5

This is an awesome camping spot. Literally right outside of Payson. Super clean facilities and friendly staff.

Tracy S

Verified

August 24, 2020 Stayed at: 070, Loop: MOUN

5

We had a wonderful 4-night stay at Houston Mesa. The camp hosts are friendly, efficient, unobtrusive, and keep the campground spotless. Our campsite had been cleaned and groomed, and was in perfect shape upon our arrival. Sites are spaced a nice distance from each other so as to provide some semblance of privacy. There are four camping loops; one for tents only, one for equestrian campers, and two for tents and/or campers. Sites vary in size, so check the dimensions of your site when booking, to make sure your site matches your needs. We have a travel trailer, and due to above-average temps, had to, unfortunately, run our generator more than planned, as did other campers, but even the sounds of the generators, at least in our Loop, were not disruptive. This campground is close to two major roadways, so there is traffic noise during the day and into the night, but with the exception of the excessively loud vehicle/motorcycle now and then, the traffic noise wasn't all that noticeable, and both the campground and roadways quieted down nicely at night, to the point that we could sleep with our camper windows open. We listened to birdsong by day, and gazed at the stars at night, so we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The town of Payson is close by for a quick run in to town should the need arise, and the Mogollon Rim trails are just down the road. The dump station at the campground was convenient, and has a self-serve credit card station for the $10 fee, making it easy to use. We had a wonderful escape from the East Valley heat during our stay at Houston Mesa, and have already made a reservation for another stay. Our first stay left a very favorable impression, and we imagine subsequent stays will do the same!

Ashley R

Verified

August 24, 2020 Stayed at: 013, Loop: ELK

5

This campground is very clean and the camp hosts are friendly. The only thing is the road noise can be annoying at night when quiet time starts. You also can’t run your generators between the hours of 10pm and 6am here. Just wanted others to know this since I never read it anywhere else. Overall, we loved being spread out form our neighbors and be tucked away in the woods.

Tracy S

Verified

August 24, 2020 Stayed at: 070, Loop: MOUN

5

We had a wonderful 4-night stay at Houston Mesa. The camp hosts are friendly, efficient, unobtrusive, and keep the campground spotless. Our campsite had been cleaned and groomed, and was in perfect shape upon our arrival. Sites are spaced a nice distance from each other so as to provide some semblance of privacy. There are four camping loops; one for tents only, one for equestrian campers, and two for tents and/or campers. Sites vary in size, so check the dimensions of your site when booking, to make sure your site matches your needs. We have a travel trailer, and due to above-average temps, had to, unfortunately, run our generator more than planned, as did other campers, but even the sounds of the generators, at least in our Loop, were not disruptive. This campground is close to two major roadways, so there is traffic noise during the day and into the night, but with the exception of the excessively loud vehicle/motorcycle now and then, the traffic noise wasn't all that noticeable, and both the campground and roadways quieted down nicely at night, to the point that we could sleep with our camper windows open. We listened to birdsong by day, and gazed at the stars at night, so we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The town of Payson is close by for a quick run in to town should the need arise, and the Mogollon Rim trails are just down the road. The dump station at the campground was convenient, and has a self-serve credit card station for the $10 fee, making it easy to use. We had a wonderful escape from the East Valley heat during our stay at Houston Mesa, and have already made a reservation for another stay. Our first stay left a very favorable impression, and we imagine subsequent stays will do the same!

Ashley R

Verified

August 24, 2020 Stayed at: 013, Loop: ELK

5

This campground is very clean and the camp hosts are friendly. The only thing is the road noise can be annoying at night when quiet time starts. You also can’t run your generators between the hours of 10pm and 6am here. Just wanted others to know this since I never read it anywhere else. Overall, we loved being spread out form our neighbors and be tucked away in the woods.

Mark G

Verified

August 23, 2020 Stayed at: 057, Loop: BEAR

5

Went up north to get away from the city. We loved this place it was beautiful and the spot we rented was clean and ready for us to use. Bathrooms were very clean too, we loved it here and will definitely be back!

Mark G

Verified

August 23, 2020 Stayed at: 057, Loop: BEAR

5

Went up north to get away from the city. We loved this place it was beautiful and the spot we rented was clean and ready for us to use. Bathrooms were very clean too, we loved it here and will definitely be back!

Karlan P

Verified

August 21, 2020 Stayed at: 024, Loop: ELK

2

Almost $30/night. Noisy, dirty bathrooms, and not really remote (just 1 mile away from town). On top of this, whenever we left for a few hours during the day, the rangers would collect our belongings, thinking we drove home several days before out departure date.

Karlan P

Verified

August 21, 2020 Stayed at: 024, Loop: ELK

2

Almost $30/night. Noisy, dirty bathrooms, and not really remote (just 1 mile away from town). On top of this, whenever we left for a few hours during the day, the rangers would collect our belongings, thinking we drove home several days before out departure date.

Location Houston Mesa

Address:
2100 Houston Mesa Rd
Payson, AZ, 85541
United States

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.

Elevation: 1546 feet

Distance to downtown

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 

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Last updated: September 3, 2026

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