Houston Mesa
FSU.S. Forest Service — Payson · Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tonto National Forest |
| Location | Payson · Arizona · Tonto National Forest · 34.27000, -111.31417 · Map |
| Sites | 86 public sites counted from the federal listing — 30 standard nonelectric; 29 equestrian nonelectric; 26 tent only nonelectric; 1 group standard electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 86 sites Water hookups at 0 of 86 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 86 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 86 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 99 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 60 sites · 30 ft: 60 sites · 35 ft: 54 sites · 40 ft: 47 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 90 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 4 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | AmphitheaterCampground hostFlush toiletsWater spigots |
| Phone | 928-468-7135 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-05-22.
From the official listing
Overview 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). 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.
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.
Facilities 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.
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.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900. Nearby Attractions 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.
Directions, from the listing
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 federal campgrounds
12 mi straight-line · PAYSON ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLower Tonto Creek
13 mi straight-line · ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceUpper Tonto Creek
13 mi straight-line · Payson ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceChristopher Creek
16 mi straight-line · PAYSON ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceKnoll Lake Campground
17 mi straight-line · Arizona
Trip Card — Houston Mesa
Payson · Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Payson · Arizona · Tonto National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 99 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 86 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232355 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.