Best Equestrian Camping near Heber-Overgaard, AZ

Houston Mesa Campground near Payson accommodates equestrian campers with specialized sites equipped with two large corrals per site. Each horse site includes a fire pit and picnic table, with water locations positioned throughout the campground. The corrals can accommodate multiple horses and are sturdy and well-maintained. The equestrian section offers spacious sites capable of handling large trailers with ample room for parking and setup. Across from the horse camping area is the main non-equestrian campground featuring pay showers and an amphitheater. The campground maintains clean facilities including flush toilets, and provides a welcoming environment for riders seeking a weekend getaway. The sites are paved with spacious parking except in the equestrian area, which has natural surfaces better suited for horses.

Direct access to nearby riding trails makes Houston Mesa a convenient base for exploring the Payson area on horseback. Though some riders note the trails can be somewhat rocky, they remain suitable for most horses and provide scenic routes through the surrounding forest. Round Valley Remuda offers another option for horse enthusiasts, featuring electric hookups, water connections, and a horse stall available for rent. Positioned approximately 1.5 hours from Phoenix, these equestrian campgrounds provide a cooler alternative during hot summer months. The proximity to Payson means amenities and supplies are readily available when needed. Most equestrian sites require reservations, especially during peak seasons when horse-friendly camping areas fill quickly. The natural setting offers opportunities to see local wildlife while providing essential facilities for both horses and their owners.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona (10)

    1. Lancelot desert camping

    3 Reviews
    Heber-Overgaard, AZ
    15 miles
    +1 (928) 240-8656

    $15 / night

    "Unfortunately I was unable to stay at Lancelot campground due to a highway closure the night of my stay. The host stayed in contact as I figured out my next steps."

    2. Mogollon Campground

    11 Reviews
    Kohls Ranch, AZ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 535-9859

    $18 / night

    "For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!"

    "Just a 1/2 mile on dirt road so that’s nice but the walk in spots for this campsite are SMALL and VERY tight/close together. Not only that but all spots are parallel."

    3. Colcord Ridge Campground

    4 Reviews
    Forest Lakes, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 467-3200

    "Active wildlife from deer to coyotes to wild horses. Perfect for families with kids as there are also lakes creeks and caves within driving distance."

    "Big open spots with lots to do nearby. There are multiple places to pull of of this road and camp. This is a pack in/pack out site with trees and fresh air."

    4. Larson Ridge Camping Area

    2 Reviews
    Forest Lakes, AZ
    16 miles
    Website

    "Free entry and a toilet near the entrance. Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike."

    "The sites are within a 1/4 mile of the highway (close enough to see the vehicle lights at night) but there is no highway noise."

    5. Houston Mesa Campground

    37 Reviews
    Payson, AZ
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 468-7135

    $22 - $170 / night

    "All paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean."

    "Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms."

    6. Little Green Valley - NF405A Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Sun Valley, AZ
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 474-7900

    "The woods were awesome and very little noise besides cars driving along the road. Thr road was a very easy drive. Only downside is the campsite was very close to the road."

    "This is just a dirt road off of the highway."

    7. Milk Ranch Point Road

    4 Reviews
    Pine, AZ
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 477-2255

    "There are many spots off FR218 where you can pull off and back up basically to the edge of the rim with your car, or at most a 100 foot walk to the rim."

    "Thick tree coverage which hid us from the winds that day / night and the rim was a 200 foot walk away. Able to get there in my Chevy Trax which is front wheel drive only, without any problems."

    8. Pivot Rock Canyon

    4 Reviews
    Pine, AZ
    48 miles

    "Tall pines all around, lots of exploring room for kids. The camping areas are all pretty open and there are plenty of spots to park a trailer or RV."

    9. Round Valley Remuda

    1 Review
    Payson, AZ
    45 miles
    +1 (928) 595-1182

    $45 / night

    "Round Valley Remuda has Electric, water and a Dump Station so you can enjoy your time on this beautiful farm, they even have a horse stall for rent if you want to bring the horses. "

    10. Pinetop Lakeside Valhalla

    1 Review
    Lakeside, AZ
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 882-2665

    $100 - $1000 / night

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Heber-Overgaard, AZ

1 Photos of 10 Heber-Overgaard Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Heber-Overgaard, AZ

74 Reviews of 10 Heber-Overgaard Campgrounds


  • N
    Apr. 20, 2019

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Nice NFS well kept

    All paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean.

  • Ted B.
    May. 22, 2019

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Really nice horse campground

    This campground has really nice sites, that can accommodate large trailers. Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms. Across the street is the main non horse campground, there is pay showers if needed and an amphitheater there. The trails weren't my favorite, a bit rocky, but were not bad either. The campground is a great location near Payson.

  • Caitlin S.
    May. 14, 2024

    Colcord Ridge Campground

    Spread out campground with amazing views and wildlife

    AMAZING campgrounds if you’re looking to escape the heat in the summer months. Spread out areas all up and down Young Road. Active wildlife from deer to coyotes to wild horses. Perfect for families with kids as there are also lakes creeks and caves within driving distance.

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Jul. 26, 2023

    Round Valley Remuda

    Camp with your horses

    Jake from the Dyrt here!  Round Valley Remuda has Electric, water and a Dump Station so you can enjoy your time on this beautiful farm, they even have a horse stall for rent if you want to bring the horses.  Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay on the Dyrt!

  • Rose C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2023

    Larson Ridge Camping Area

    Overall Good

    PROS: Spacious campsites; some have phenomenal views overlooking a canyon. Free entry and a toilet near the entrance. Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike. CONS: some of the campsites are close to the road and passing trucks can be loud. It was kind of crowded and noisy until late this Memorial Day weekend.

  • K
    Jul. 30, 2019

    Houston Mesa Campground

    A favorite

    This site is well kept and spacious. And the closest site to Water Wheel which is about ten miles away and Arizona’s best kept secret. I usually set up camp the afternoon before and get up early to make the drive to Water Wheel and get in a day hike. This place has extraordinary water falls and swimming holes. I have probably camped at Mesa Houston more than any other place in Arizona just so I can hike Water Wheel and have never had a negative experience. Payson is beautiful and this camp site is near amenities and great hiking spots.

  • EV P.
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Very clean

    This is a horse campground. Most sites have a small corral. Sites are decent size, easy access. Several sites are a pull through semi circle. Staff is very helpful and kind. Campground is very clean and cared for.

  • Brad | Britany B.
    Feb. 29, 2024

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Close to town, SxS trails, and swimming holes.

    We've camped at Houston Mesa Campground several times and consistently have a fantastic experience. Here's why we give it 5 stars: 

    Amazing Staff: The camp hosts are incredibly friendly and helpful, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. 

    Spacious Sites: We love the ample space at each campsite, allowing us to park comfortably and spread out for a relaxing stay. Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees. 

    Nature's Playground: The campground's proximity to swimming holes, hiking trails, and the charming town of Payson provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Serene Setting: The abundance of trees creates a peaceful and shady environment, perfect for escaping the Arizona sun. 

    Clean Facilities: The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean, ensuring a comfortable stay. 

    Dry Camping Friendly: We appreciate the ability to dry camp at Houston Mesa, making it a budget-friendly option. 

    Heads Up: While Verizon service isn't optimal, it's manageable. Additionally, campsites near the freeway can experience some road noise. However, the convenience of having Home Depot and Walmart nearby outweighs these minor drawbacks. Overall, Houston Mesa Campground is a fantastic choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a comfortable and scenic camping experience. We highly recommend it and will definitely be back soon!

  • Stephanie T.
    Sep. 18, 2016

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Ranger Review: LuminAIDPacklite 16 at Houston Mesa Campground

    Beautiful retreat in the Arizona forest. Saw many different birds while there, especially hawks. Could smell skunks but none seen at the campground. Was warned by rangers that bears had been spotted in the area, so keep that in mind with food and trash.

    Each site I saw had a good amount of space and wasn't right next to other campsites. We were lucky and got shade in our campsite. Plenty of hiking opportunities nearby, and a caves not too far away.

    The restroom facilities were clean and included flush toilets. Showers were available for $3 (coin operated).

    Gear Review: This contains a review of the LuminAID Packlight 16 and the LuminAID Packlight Spectra, which were provided to me free of charge***

    LuminAID's lanterns are a gamechanger. Seriously. They are incredibly lightweight, bright, float when inflated, and most amazingly are solar powered.

    The Packlight 16 resembles a pillow and has several settings depending on how bright you want it. I was able to read a book with the Packlight 16 hanging from the ceiling of my tent. Everyday I set it outside to charge for a couple hours and have yet to see it run out of energy, even when left on the dimmest setting for several hours.

    The Packlight Spectra is a fun little box shaped lantern that has seven colors (including white) and a color-changing mode (see the video I included in this review). The first color is red, which is nice when you don't want to scrub your nightvision.

    I'll definitely be ordering these for my friends. They are great for hiking and the perfect addition to an emergency kit (when folded the Packlight 16 is about the size and weight of an emergency poncho).


Guide to Heber-Overgaard

Horse camping opportunities near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona cater to equestrian enthusiasts with specific facilities designed for those traveling with horses. Located at elevations between 6,500-7,500 feet in the White Mountains region, the area offers cooler summer temperatures than much of Arizona, typically 15-20 degrees lower than Phoenix. The Mogollon Rim provides a dramatic backdrop for riders seeking forest trails through ponderosa pine woodlands.

What to do

Explore canyon trails: Little Green Valley offers access to scenic hiking routes including a 7-mile trail to Hell's Gate with a swimming hole. A visitor noted, "It also has a 7 mile hike to a place called Hells gate that has a swimming hole at the end of the hike. Lotta weekenders come up and hike up there."

Visit nearby lakes: Mogollon Campground provides a convenient base for lake activities. As one camper mentioned, "It's just down the street from woods canyon lake and some other really nice places to visit." Another visitor shared that "Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking."

Discover historic sites: Within a short drive from camping areas, you can explore local heritage sites. One camper at Houston Mesa Campground noted, "2 miles East on Houston Mesa rd. Away you can drive to shofly Indian ruins."

Gather firewood: Many dispersed camping areas allow collection of fallen wood. A camper at Pivot Rock Canyon shared, "A lot of dead trees laying around for firewood, but did need axe and hacksaw to cut size them down."

What campers like

Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation provides relief during hot months. A visitor to Colcord Ridge Campground stated, "AMAZING campgrounds if you're looking to escape the heat in the summer months." Another camper at Mogollon Campground mentioned, "Awesome high elevation! Very cool for AZ summers! For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it! 2hrs drive time!"

Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animal populations. One camper reported, "Spread out areas all up and down Young Road. Active wildlife from deer to coyotes to wild horses."

Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies create excellent night viewing conditions. A visitor to Mogollon Campground shared, "You can see so many stars at night, it's wonderful."

Accessibility for vehicles: Many sites accommodate various vehicle types. A camper at Milk Ranch Point Road noted, "Able to get there in my Chevy Trax which is front wheel drive only, without any problems. There are plenty of spot to pull off into on that forest road."

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Some access roads require careful driving. A visitor to Lancelot desert camping mentioned, "The only issue is the road to get to the campground is almost 10 miles of a non maintained road, very bumpy."

Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans are common during dry periods. One camper warned, "This forest tends to have fire bans or can be completely closed during summer seasons when the fire risks are high."

Campsite spacing: Some established campgrounds have limited privacy. A camper at Mogollon Campground observed, "The campground is fairly small and sites are pretty close together." Another noted that the "walk in spots for this campsite are SMALL and VERY tight/close together."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Heber-Overgaard, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Heber-Overgaard, AZ is Lancelot desert camping with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Heber-Overgaard, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Heber-Overgaard, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.