Houston Mesa Campground
Houston Mesa Campground is a national forest campground in Arizona.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- Arizona
- Coordinates
- 34.27048, -111.31984
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Website
- www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232355
About Houston Mesa Campground
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. Houston Mesa offers shade, privacy and corrals for horses and mules. This recreation area is a favorite among equestrian campers who want to experience the great outdoors with their gentle companions. There are several hiking and horseback riding trails to enjoy nearby the campsite. Families may enjoy time together at designated campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and grills. The operating season is April - December. 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. Hawks, eagles, javelina, deer, fox, skunk and coyote live in the area. Recreation: Many visitors come to Houston Mesa to horseback ride, hike, camp and picnic. Facilities: Houston Mesa has 102 campsites, including 28 equestrian sites for campers with horses or mules, and 29 tent-only sites for those who want a quieter experience. The horse camping section (Mule Deer Loop) is across the street from the main campground and features 28 individual sites with tables & grills, and most having corrals available. There are two group sites that can host up to 75 people and can be re
Cell coverage
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Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- Woods Canyon Dump Station · 22 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Pinnacle Propane · 44 mi
- Low clearances
- 2 bridges or tunnels at 14 ft or less within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 2 designated routes (6 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Mesa Campground | Private campground | under 0.1 mi | — | — |
| Houston Mesa Horse | National forest horse camp | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| Houston Mesa Campground | Private campground | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| Houston Mesa Horse | Private campground | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| Houston Mesa Group | National forest group campground | 0.3 mi | — | — |
| Houston Mesa | National forest campground | 0.3 mi | — | Electric |
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Sources. USFS and BLM recreation sites. Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.