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
Ken L
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: ELK
Really nice place, we enjoyed our stay.
Ken L
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: ELK
Really nice place, we enjoyed our stay.
davinae b
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN
The camp host is super friendly and efficient. The sites are nice and the restrooms were cleaner than most. Aside from a little traffic noise, the campsite is convenient, easy to get to, easy to make runs to store for ice or whatnot, and a lot more dense in trees than we would have expected, so you feel you are more separated from your neighbors than some other campgrounds we've been to. We bring a portable/chargeable speaker and just play white noise in our tent to drown out any traffic noise when sleeping. The last time we went, we were visited by some bees for a short bit while cooking breakfast, but not the previous time we were there a couple of weeks ago. This time, we just moved our water jug away from our picnic table and they left. During the hotter part of the day, go to Wagon Wheel waterfall about 15 min away---can cool off in the cold water and hike for great exercise. Then, do yourself a favor and get takeout from the Bucket of Spaghetti place in Payson for dinner... and be sure to get the meatballs! Made for a great camping meal (and easy cleanup!). We will definitely be back again.....and again.
davinae b
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: MOUN
The camp host is super friendly and efficient. The sites are nice and the restrooms were cleaner than most. Aside from a little traffic noise, the campsite is convenient, easy to get to, easy to make runs to store for ice or whatnot, and a lot more dense in trees than we would have expected, so you feel you are more separated from your neighbors than some other campgrounds we've been to. We bring a portable/chargeable speaker and just play white noise in our tent to drown out any traffic noise when sleeping. The last time we went, we were visited by some bees for a short bit while cooking breakfast, but not the previous time we were there a couple of weeks ago. This time, we just moved our water jug away from our picnic table and they left. During the hotter part of the day, go to Wagon Wheel waterfall about 15 min away---can cool off in the cold water and hike for great exercise. Then, do yourself a favor and get takeout from the Bucket of Spaghetti place in Payson for dinner... and be sure to get the meatballs! Made for a great camping meal (and easy cleanup!). We will definitely be back again.....and again.
Courtnee N
VerifiedJuly 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK
I love this campground SO MUCH. It is clean and quiet. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were closed, but that was expected. Appreciated actually. It is close by a road and a 10 minute drive to town so I was not too worried about bears. I will definitely be coming back. THANK YOU.
Nelson K
VerifiedJuly 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 048, Loop: BEAR
Very clean and maintained
Courtnee N
VerifiedJuly 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK
I love this campground SO MUCH. It is clean and quiet. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were closed, but that was expected. Appreciated actually. It is close by a road and a 10 minute drive to town so I was not too worried about bears. I will definitely be coming back. THANK YOU.
Nelson K
VerifiedJuly 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 048, Loop: BEAR
Very clean and maintained
Chrystal W
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 078, Loop: MOUN
I really enjoyed this campground (Mountain Lion Loop #21). Host is so kind and always available to help. Campsites are spaced out nicely and big enough for all your camping stuff. Will return when it cools down.
Chrystal W
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 078, Loop: MOUN
I really enjoyed this campground (Mountain Lion Loop #21). Host is so kind and always available to help. Campsites are spaced out nicely and big enough for all your camping stuff. Will return when it cools down.
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
