Houston Mesa Campground provides equestrian camping facilities near Sun Valley, Arizona. The horse campground section features individual corrals at each site to safely contain horses during overnight stays. Each equestrian site includes two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table, with layouts that can accommodate large horse trailers. Water stations are positioned throughout the campground for convenient horse access. The main campground across the street offers pay showers if needed, as well as an amphitheater for group gatherings. Campground stewards maintain clean facilities with well-maintained sites surrounded by trees for privacy and shade.
Trail access is available directly from the campground, though some riders note the trails are somewhat rocky but manageable for most horses. The campground's location near Payson provides convenient access to additional riding opportunities in the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Houston Mesa's proximity to town means camping supplies and feed stores are readily accessible if needed. The campground typically operates seasonally from February through November, with peak horse camping season in spring and fall when temperatures are most comfortable for both riders and horses. Sites can be reserved in advance, which is recommended during popular weekends as the equestrian sites are limited and fill quickly.
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $170 / night
"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."
"And to see the view was just a 20 foot walk. Also we were right by a trailhead so we did have passerby’s but no worries. There is a host that comes around so that feel safe and welcoming."
"The second time we came up we managed to grab a spot on the rim side of the road, spot #30, around noon."
"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."
"For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!"
"Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking and you are within walking distance to the Rim."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 / 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. "
from $45 / night
"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."
"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."
"If you want to be more secluded keep following the shore line NW, however the more you travel the more ground clearance you’ll need so bring a vehicle with a little off road abilities of you want to be"
"Winter and spring, lake levels are low, which provides access to Camp near the water. I was able to find a relatively flat spot for my 38' fifth wheel."
"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."
ScoutFYI- This is not a free dispersed campground as noted on the maps link. It’s a county run campground with a fee. It IS a pretty nice though with tons of hiking/biking and I think equestrian trails.
ScoutNice facilities but we found that some of the people working here aren’t very nice.
GuideI only gave it a 2 Because of the App! This app says showers, None! Electric, Non-Existent! Several Water Hydrants scattered throughout the grounds. $29 a night, I've done A lot better, & it's off season. Trying to get all the Great Folks $$$ Heading to Quartzsite before they do an off-season price. 🤔 maybe I got grumpy cause I can't take a Big boy Stand Up Shower tonight 😏! In general it is a nice campground. Now hopefully they do have a dump station 👀 EDIT ‼️ IF I COULD RATE IT NEGATIVE I WOULD ‼️ @ 515AM WHEN NATURE CALLED I WALK TO THE BATHROOMS THERE LOCKED ‼️‼️‼️‼️ $29.00 A NIGHT FOR WHAT ❓❓❓❓ & I FOUND OUT LAST NIGHT THAT THE SHOWERS HAVE BEEN CLOSED SINCE COVID‼️ UPDATE YOUR APP‼️ CAUSE IT'S TURNING OUT TO BE REAL DIRT‼️
GuideGood spot. Seems well taken care of. Not many people here although its a Sunday night. Saw a spot with a sign that said camp here so thats where I stayed LOL
ScoutHorse Heaven we were surrounded by beautiful horses in lush green pastures our dog enjoyed walking around the farm. Visiting the horses that were roaming throughout the pastures we were able to offer them apple slices and enjoy their warm muzzles on the palms of our hands. RV hookups were quiet clean and easy to setup our camping site. Nashwa Farms is open YEAR AROUND to allow their guests to enjoy visiting the Historic Verde Valley
TravelerThis place is an absolute treasure!!!
There’s plenty of wildlife, from wild horses, roadrunners and even skunks and cows. The birds sing nicely if you don’t mind an early morning wake call.
The river runs well enough to float down stream on a tub. Some people bring paddle boards and cruise that way. Some people pull up a chair and sit by the banks. There’s a few places where you can swing from a rope and jump in the water. Warning though some areas are shallow so jump with caution.
The porta-potty’s are surprisingly well maintained. There’s a few large dumps so no reason to not pick up after ourselves.
It stays consistently busy with people coming and going throughout the day and a few camping the night.
Overall, it’s a great getaway for anyone in the valley.
GuideSpent a few nights at the campground during a local motocross race. The campground was well kept and I had no issues. Camp store and restaurant are just a short walk away. I forgot my 50 amp to 30 amp adapter at home so had to buy a new one, luckily the store had some in stock. Overall very reasonably priced for a full hookup spot.
GuideThere is some recent fire damage - looks like controlled burn in area with logging going on in back side of hill but the pull through and camp area with views of valley are gorgeous! please do not build fire rings under trees or right along the cliff edge. The wind rushes up the mountain cliff and the fire danger of both these rings is absurd. Use stoves or portable fire pits since burn bans are almost always on and don’t be stupid starting fires under trees or on cliff face with rushing wind.
Other than that, enjoy these absolutely breathtaking views and cool mountain breezes blowing up the mountains! Please again, don’t build fire rings under trees in the pine mats or along the extremely windy uplift currents of the ridge face.
i have 2 bars of ATT service and starlink worked well pointing north.
None of the marked springs were flowing and all creeks were dry so be sure to bring all your water you may need. There is a cute “potato lake” 2 miles away but it’s more of a mud hole and wildlife tank and not good for water. I hope they get some monsoon rains here soon to recharge the water sources!
ScoutSemi private, wooded campsite, paved pad, little hiking trails, bathrooms close, but showers never open. Loved the site we stayed at.
Houston Mesa Campground serves as the primary equestrian camping destination near Sun Valley, Arizona. Located at approximately 5,200 feet elevation, the area experiences mild spring and fall temperatures with summer highs typically reaching 85-95°F. Winter nights can drop below freezing, making seasonal camping considerations important for both riders and their horses.
Trail riding from camp: At Little Green Valley - NF405A Dispersed, riders can access a 7-mile trail to Hells Gate featuring a swimming hole. "This place is dispersed, meaning no hook-ups. Pack out what you pack in, no trash services. Can get a little loud on the weekends with the side by sides zooming around," notes Jessalyn C.
Hiking with non-riders: Near Pivot Rock Canyon, visitors find excellent hiking options. "There is some great hiking especially through the canyon. If you follow the canyon about one mile from the road, then go down and right onto a cow trail, you can get to Pivot Rock Spring," shares Jacob S.
Nearby water activities: Waters around Sun Valley provide refreshing breaks from riding. At Bartlett Flat, "boat traffic isn't too bad and the shore line is great for kids to swim," according to reviewer B O.
Shaded campsites: Unlike the equestrian area at Houston Mesa, many nearby campgrounds offer significant tree cover. At Mogollon Campground, "the sites are pretty spreadout from each other. Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking and you are within walking distance to the Rim," explains Jessica C.
Proximity to supplies: The area's closeness to towns provides convenient access to any forgotten items. "Short drive to water," notes Carlos Q. about Houston Mesa, while Rick G. adds it has "close proximity to Payson with all the amenities."
Year-round accessibility: While Houston Mesa operates seasonally, some nearby areas allow for extended camping seasons. At Milk Ranch Point Road, campers appreciate that "good roads in" make the area accessible, with Nick V. noting that "they just leveled and packed gravel down so the road is accessible for non 4x4 cars."
Fire restrictions vary by forest: The Sun Valley region spans multiple national forests with different fire rules. Jacob S. notes about Colcord Ridge Campground: "Tonto National Forest is usually fire restricted this time of year but Coconino is not. This site is barely into Coconino. It is still very dry so be careful with it!"
Campground popularity fluctuations: Many sites fill quickly during peak seasons. For dispersed camping at Little Green Valley, "keep following the road back, there is campsites all the way along it and it gets very peaceful and quiet," advises Aidan M.
Road conditions: Access varies significantly across sites. Michael B. notes about Houston Mesa that there's "a lot of traffic noise - and there's a Home Depot across the road from the entrance. Less than 10 minutes from Payson."
Kid-friendly water spots: Families appreciate the nearby water access options. Will W. describes Houston Mesa as having "sites are good size and well kept! Amenities were in great condition and our favorite day use river spot is 15 minutes away."
Natural exploration areas: Children enjoy the undeveloped spaces around Larson Ridge Camping Area, where Krista Z. explains: "The campground has been very busy so I imagine during the summer getting a spot could be tricky. From what I can tell most sites could be reached by a car and had room for smaller trailers or tents."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers chances to observe desert wildlife safely. Rose C. reports: "Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike."
Water and dump stations: RVers should plan water usage carefully. Chris P. notes: "No hookups here at all but nice clean bathrooms to use. Dump station was closed while we were here and it looks like they charge to use it when open."
Site sizing and privacy: Many campgrounds offer varied site sizes. Miguel M. explains Houston Mesa has "spots are fairly large and allow for some large rigs and is located right on the edge of town. No hook ups though but you can fill your tanks on site."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. Brad and Britany B. share: "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sun Valley, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sun Valley, AZ is Houston Mesa Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sun Valley, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Sun Valley, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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