Houston Mesa

Photo · Conservation Legacy

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

126Sites

99 ftMax rig

The place

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). Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 126

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric	ADA
BEAR	032	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	033	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	034	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	035	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	036	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	037	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	038	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	039	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	040	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	041	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	042	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	043	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	044	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	045	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	046	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A	yes
BEAR	047	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	048	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	049	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	050	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	051	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	052	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	053	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	055	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	056	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
BEAR	057	tent only nonelectric	—	N/A
ELK	002	standard nonelectric	40 ft	N/A
ELK	003	standard nonelectric	35 ft	N/A
ELK	005	standard nonelectric	35 ft	N/A
ELK	006	standard nonelectric	99 ft	N/A
ELK	007	standard nonelectric	40 ft	N/A
ELK	009	standard nonelectric	99 ft	N/A
ELK	013	standard nonelectric	20 ft	N/A
ELK	014	standard nonelectric	99 ft	N/A
ELK	018	standard nonelectric	45 ft	N/A	yes
ELK	020	standard nonelectric	45 ft	N/A
ELK	021	standard nonelectric	30 ft	N/A
ELK	022	standard nonelectric	99 ft	N/A
ELK	023	standard nonelectric	60 ft	N/A
ELK	024	standard nonelectric	35 ft	N/A
ELK	027	standard nonelectric	—	N/A	yes
Fox	Group Site 1	management	70 ft	N/A
Fox	Group Site 2	group standard electric	70 ft	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	004	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	008	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	010	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	011	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	012	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	015	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	016	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	017	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	019	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	026	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX	management	—	N/A	yes
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX1	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX2	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX3	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX4	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX5	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX6	management	—	—
MANAGEMENT SITES 1	XXX7	management	—	—

SHOWING 60 OF 126 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in AZ-02. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard