Houston Mesa
Payson, Arizona · 5,059 ft · In Tonto National Forest
Photos: Conservation Legacy
At a glance
6 of 8 facts known · recreation.gov, checked Sep 24, 2026
- Elevation
- 5,059 ft (1,542 m)5,059 ft1,542 m
Loops3
Pick a loop to see its sites.
- BEAR25 sites25 tent only · tents only
- ELK15 sites15 standard · up to 99 ft
- MOUN16 sites15 standard · 1 tent only · up to 99 ft
Other areas
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026: 40 staff entries left out. Loop names are trimmed and merged.
How we name loops
“MANAGEMENT SITES 1” and “MANAGEMENT SITES 2” are staff entries, not campsites, and are left out.
Amenities
From OpenStreetMap, Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities · Correct
- Toilets
From OpenStreetMap, Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities
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About
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.
From OpenStreetMap, Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, and USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities · · Edit
Cell service
Report signal- Verizon5G · 4G LTE
- AT&T5G · 4G LTE
- T-Mobile5G · 4G LTE
Cell service at Houston Mesa: FCC map Dec 2025
Weather
National Weather Service
- TueShowers And Thunderstorms, 89% chance of rain60°40°
- WedAreas Of Fog then Sunny63°42°
- ThuSunny66°48°
- FriSlight Chance Rain Showers, 15% chance of rain68°48°
- SatSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 17% chance of rain66°46°
Nearby camping
SeeSee all on the map
Houston Mesa Group
Public Land · 0.1 mi · Payson
Houston Mesa Horse
Public Land · 0.2 mi · Payson
Houston Mesa Campground
Public Land · 0.3 mi · Payson
3 more within 25 mi
4 OpenStreetMap entries in Payson share one park. They may be individual sites of a single campground. Suggest a merge
Dispersed camping nearby
Free dispersed camping within 19 mi, on public land.
- 9.4 mi
Camp site
Pine, AZ · On U.S. Forest Service land · Tonto National Forest
- 11 mi
Camp site
Pine, AZ · On U.S. Forest Service land · Tonto National Forest
- 11 mi
Camp site
Pine, AZ · On U.S. Forest Service land · Tonto National Forest
- 12 mi
Camp site
Pine, AZ · On U.S. Forest Service land · Tonto National Forest
- 13 mi
Camp site
Rye, AZ · On U.S. Forest Service land · Tonto National Forest
- 14 mi
Camp site
Washington Park, AZ · On U.S. Forest Service land · Coconino National Forest
Location and contact
Data from OpenStreetMap, Recreation Information Database (RIDB) / Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities
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