Houston Mesa
Houston Mesa Campground is located in the forested northern section of Tonto National Forest, just 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 miles of non-motorized trails nearby. Easy access to the Town of Payson amenities makes this campground ideal! As one of the 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).
More like this: reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 30 |
| Equestrian | 29 |
| Tent-only | 26 |
| group standard electric | 1 |
| Host/management | 40 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
85 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 032 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 033 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 034 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 035 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 036 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 037 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 038 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 039 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 040 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 041 | BEAR | Tent only | Gravel | Full | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 046, 018, 027, XXX are listed accessible |
Houston Mesa has 102 campsites, including 46 standard sites, 27 equestrian sites for campers with horses or mules, and 29 tent-only sites for those who want a quieter experience. There are several amenities to make campers feel at home, including flush toilets. The horse camping section (Mule Deer Loop) is across the street from the main campground and features 27 individual sites with tables and grills. Corrals are also available. Campers who reserve sites 7 - 18 must have horses or mules.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April to December |
| Forest | Tonto National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | $29 per night for standard sites. $22 per night for equestrian sites (Closed for the season). $130 per night for Group Site 1 (No Electricity). $170 per night for Group Site 2 (With Electricity). |
| Rules | 14-day stay limit. No OHV recreational riding within the campground. No firewood sales, no dump station and no shower building. Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a leash. Please use trash receptacles or pack it in, pack it out. All campgrounds have posted Rules & Regulations at entrance kiosks. Please read and observe all rules. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Payson, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 34.2700° N, 111.3142° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD2 Vincent Rx
23 mi from the campground · 2,258 acres
- PrescribedD2 Sinkhole Rx
25 mi from the campground · 875 acres
- PrescribedD2 Dye Rx
26 mi from the campground · 5,246 acres
- PrescribedTillman Rx
28 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Hike House ↗ | 48.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
EP 173 : Our first camping trip of the season | Houston Mesa Campground, Payson AZ
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Tonto National Forest.
- inTonto National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,966,417 acres
- 6.6 miMazatzal Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 250,760 acres
- 11.1 miHellsgate Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,457 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Ox Bow InnBuilding · Payson · 3 mi
- Diamond Point Lookout CabinBuilding · Tonto Village · 7 mi
- Natural Bridge LodgeBuilding · Payson · 8.7 mi
Natural features
The campground is located at an elevation of 5,200 ft. in a mixed forest and shrub area, with spacious campsites offering both sun and shade. Winters are pleasant and cool with cold nighttime temperatures, while summers are warm and sunny, providing a nice getaway from the hotter deserts around Phoenix. Elk, javelina, skunk and coyote live in the area and can be seen in the campground.
Recreation
Many visitors come to Payson to ride, hike, camp and picnic. Houston Mesa Campground is centrally located for access to Rim Country's best trails. Check out the National Recreation Highline Trail from its many access points along the control road (beginning or ending at Pine TH or 260 TH) or travel a short distance to the Pine trailhead to access over 20 miles of non motorized trails in the Pine Strawberry area.
Nearby
Campers who make the quick trip to the town of Payson, one mile south, will find restaurants, shopping and other conveniences. Scenic driving and outdoor recreation abound in the surrounding Tonto National Forest, which embraces almost 3 million acres of rugged and spectacularly beautiful country, ranging from saguaro cactus-studded desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. If you are an avid mountain biker or hiker please check out the National Recreation Highline Trail-which spans 63 miles below the Mogollon Rim.
Guidebooks for Tonto National Forest and Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Houston Mesa?
Sites at Houston Mesa are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Houston Mesa?
$29 per night for standard sites. $22 per night for equestrian sites (Closed for the season). $130 per night for Group Site 1 (No Electricity).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Houston Mesa?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Houston Mesa open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to December.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Houston Mesa have?
126 sites, including 30 standard sites without power, 29 equestrian sites, 26 tent-only sites, and 1 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Houston Mesa?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Houston Mesa?
There are several amenities to make campers feel at home, including flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Houston Mesa?
Yes, pets are allowed at Houston Mesa. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Houston Mesa?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14-day stay limit.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Houston Mesa?
Sites 046, 018, 027, and XXX are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Houston Mesa?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Houston Mesa?
Many visitors come to Payson to ride, hike, camp and picnic. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation