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

Joyce T

Verified

April 12, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK

2

The showers were shut down the bathrooms only had 1 working sink the water pumps for fresh water weren't working. Over all I wouldn't stay here again it WASNT WORTH THE PRICE I N PAID

Joyce T

Verified

April 12, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: ELK

2

The showers were shut down the bathrooms only had 1 working sink the water pumps for fresh water weren't working. Over all I wouldn't stay here again it WASNT WORTH THE PRICE I N PAID

Nancy L

Verified

April 16, 2026 Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN

3

Campground is very convenient to everything. Problem is the road noise wich I know can't be helped. However, we camp with a 5th wheel and depend on the advertised dump station being open. If it isn't please publish the information somewhere so we can make other arrangements.

Nancy L

Verified

April 16, 2026 Stayed at: 066, Loop: MOUN

3

Campground is very convenient to everything. Problem is the road noise wich I know can't be helped. However, we camp with a 5th wheel and depend on the advertised dump station being open. If it isn't please publish the information somewhere so we can make other arrangements.

Joanna T

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 020, Loop: ELK

5

Very clean. Privacy between campsites. Need a vehicle to get to all the close places to hike.

Jerome P

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 042, Loop: BEAR

3

Camp site was HUGE! Very clean and well maintained facility. First time here so did not realize it is right off the Bline highway so the sound of traffic was there all night long. The camp host was great and very helpful. We will be back for sure

Joanna T

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 020, Loop: ELK

5

Very clean. Privacy between campsites. Need a vehicle to get to all the close places to hike.

Jerome P

Verified

April 19, 2026 Stayed at: 042, Loop: BEAR

3

Camp site was HUGE! Very clean and well maintained facility. First time here so did not realize it is right off the Bline highway so the sound of traffic was there all night long. The camp host was great and very helpful. We will be back for sure

Cheryl B

Verified

April 24, 2026 Stayed at: 077, Loop: MOUN

5

I was disappointed that the showers had been shut down. The bathrooms need some TLC but the camp-host kept them clean.

Dave B

Verified

April 24, 2026 Stayed at: 078, Loop: MOUN

2

Maintenance at this campground has been poor. The host tries to do a good job, but it appears the forest service has different ideas. The showers were closed because of inoperative equipment and it will probably stay that way for a long time.

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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