Houston Mesa Campground

We were in the horse camp for $22/night, but they closed it early to do repairs, so we moved over to the regular camp. Both take the senior pass, so we actually paid half. The horse camp is further from the highway so pretty quiet, but it is dusty gravel.
he regular campground has paved sites and closer to the highway. The back loop is further from the highway, but close to another busy road. The sites by the highway did seem to have more sun, if you are needing that for solar. You can kind of see the sites on satellite view for sun and direction orientation. The pay machine is card only. It was pretty easy to use. The showers were already closed for the season, so I don't see what you're paying for, except for paved sites. It is very convenient to town, which is nice when you need to stock up or get town things done. We went to a movie!

They could use to trim the roads. We had to get on top of the fifth wheel to lift a branch over the top.

Cell service was pretty poor for Verizon but not bad for T-Mobile.

Yes, it’s super close to Payson so you do get traffic noise, but not so bad that I’d not come back (we camped). It’s a lovely small site with various loops. Had to look around for a level site, but we had lots to choose from. It was very quiet most of the time, friendly hosts helped when needed but didn’t intrude. I’d recommend this if you want to be close to amenities, it’s a great compromise and really very lovely grounds. Lots of amazing hikes nearby and excellent cafes in Payson if you don’t want to cook.

This camping spot was perfect. Site Elk-11 was a great site, it was very secluded. My truck was less than 50’ from the site, and couldn’t hardly see it. Lots of nice pine trees. Camp was very clean. Included a fire pit and a picnic table that was in great shape. The site is large enough for around 4 10 person tents or so, plenty of room! It was first come first serve. We arrived 2/20/2021, which was a Saturday, and had availability. We couldn’t reach the host by phone, so we bought firewood. Had we arrived during the day, we could’ve gathered wood, as there was downed trees in the area, but it was night, so we bought $6 bundles from the Home Depot that is right across the highway! As far as the noise, we could hear some vehicles on the highway, but not enough to bother us. It’s not a major interstate with lots of traffic, and the speed limit is only 45 mph I believe, so minimal noise. Anyways, great place to stay for sure, looking forward to heading here again in March!

Nice location just outside of Payson. There is a gas station just across the highway if you need anything. Our site backed up to the highway so you could hear loud vehicles, but not see them. Some sites you can see the highway from the fire pit. Site 14 was a bit tight width wise for out 35 foot travel trailer with two slide outs on the driver side, but length was long enough to leave our F250 attached. You felt like you were in a remote forest, so it was a nice break from Phoenix. The camp hosts were knowledgeable of the area and friendly. We did a day trip to the Wagon Wheel Falls. Which is only 15 minutes away, with easy access to the creek. The falls were packed and there was a $10 self pay station at the trail entrance. We were able to work, stream movies, and play Xbox using a mobile router using an ATT sim. Our Verizon cell phones had good bars, but service was below 2 mbps, so assuring congestion in the area on Verizon. We would stay here again but look for a site away from the highway.

Nice pull Thru site with no water, elect., or sewer but surrounded by tall pine trees. Coming in the roads are paved and one-way only. They have a water station fill up for free, but dump station is $10. Park is well maintained. Each site has a picnic bench and fire ring (no fire restriction currently in effect). They even raked the dirt around the picnic area. Weekends are very busy, but week days feels like you have the park to yourself. Site 6-14 is adjacent to Hwy 87, so is a bit noisy but we got use to it as our generator was probably just as loud. Sites are spacious and you don't feel like you are on top of each other. Bathrooms are well maintain and clean as we peaked in. Weather is great this time of year, between high 90' during the day & can reach to 100' but feels cooler in the shade and mid 60's at night. Cellular service has 3-4 bars for AT&T, but Verizon had 2-3 bars., works fine for us as we are working remotely. Across the Hwy is Home depot and a gas station. Only a couple miles to town and about 13 to Pine, AZ and a few more miles to Strawberry. All county forest roads are closed due to fire restrictions. We would come here again just to get out of the house during covid and still feel that we are distancing.

There is another campsite off Houston Mesa Road - opposite the privatized campsite. Called Equestrian Campsite - has sites for without horses. $20 per night - I paid $10 with Lifetime Pass. Large flat, well maintained sites with water, flush toilets and trash. Beautiful trees and vegetation, easy access and location close to town. Would stay again.

Very expensive $26 a night for dry camping. Lots of road noise, restrooms and showers locked for no reason. Dump site is on the premises but it's another $10 on top of the nightly fee. Three large, unsightly host sites (in the Elk loop alone) with the tackiest of trailer park decor---these "hosts" were invisible but clearly had settled in for the long haul. Seeing a national forest service campground taken over by a for-profit service provider is a tragedy, especially if this is the outcome.