Houston Mesa
The main campground operates year-round. The horse camp (Mule Deer Loop) is open April 1 through November 1. Showers and the dump station are currently unavailable. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect. Reservations available through Recreation.gov; some sites are first-come, first-served.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 20 at 5:37PM MST until July 20 at 6:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
SVRFGZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Gila County in east central Arizona... Coconino County in north central Arizona... Navajo County in north central Arizona... * Until 615 PM MST. * At 537 PM MST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 14 miles north of Chevelon Canyon Lake to 9 miles north of Valley View Point, or along a line from 23 miles south of Winslow to 18 miles east of Forest Lakes, moving southwest at 30 to 40 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, Chediski Peak, Chevelon Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Canyon Lake, Mogollon Rim Visitor Center, Mogollon Airpark, Chevelon Canyon Dam, Durfee Crossing, Chevelon Crossing and Chevelon Butte. This includes the following highways... State Route 260 between mile markers 283 and 313. State Route 277 between mile markers 306 and 309. This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds... Sinkhole Campground, Chevelon Crossing Campground, Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, Gentry Campground, Forest Road 237 Camping Area, Forest Road 171 Camping Area, Black Canyon Rim Campground, Canyon Point Campground, Airplane Flat Campground, Colcord Ridge Campground, Sinkhole Campground, Larson Ridge Camping Area, Upper Canyon Creek Campground, Valentine Ridge Campground, Camp Shadow Pines, Willow Springs Lake Recreation Area, Sardine Point Day Use Area, Black Canyon Lake Recreation Area and Tall Timbers County Park.
Flood Watch issued July 20 at 12:38PM MST until July 21 at 10:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of east central, north central, northeast, and west central Arizona, including the following areas, in east central Arizona, Northern Gila County. In north central Arizona, Black Mesa Area, Coconino Plateau, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Grand Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Marble and Glen Canyons, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 and Western Mogollon Rim. In northeast Arizona, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County and White Mountains. In west central Arizona, Yavapai County Mountains. * WHEN...From Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas. Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Deep monsoon moisture in place across northern Arizona will lead to storms capable of producing rainfall in excess of 2 inches per hour, resulting in an enhanced risk of flash flooding. - Additional information is available at weather.gov/flagstaff.
No Fire Restrictions
There are currently no fire restrictions on the Tonto National Forest.
About
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. The campground sits at 5,200 feet elevation in a mixed forest of ponderosa pine, pinyon, and juniper, offering spacious campsites with both sun and shade. Wildlife including hawks, eagles, javelina, deer, fox, and coyote frequent the area. The campground features 102 sites organized into multiple loops: standard family sites, tent-only sites for a quieter experience, and the Mule Deer Loop with 27 equestrian sites featuring horse corrals. Two group sites accommodate up to 75 people each. All individual sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Flush toilets and potable water from hand pumps are available throughout. Houston Mesa is popular with hikers and equestrians. The Houston Mesa Loop Trail offers a 9-mile round trip through pinyon-juniper woodland accessible from the horse camping area, while the Houston Mesa Interpretive Trail provides a 0.5-mile self-guided nature walk. The town of Payson is just one mile south for supplies and restaurants.
Directions
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 0.1 miles. The campground is on the north side of Houston Mesa Road.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $22 - $170 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 99ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 99ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (928) 474-7900 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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