Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Payson. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. It's easy to find Payson equestrian campgrounds with the Dyrt. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect equestrian sites that are scenic and easy to access.
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. 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 several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails nearby. As the fifth 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.
Many visitors come to Houston Mesa to horseback ride, hike, camp and picnic. Houston Mesa Loop Trail is a 9-mile round trip through a pinyon and juniper woodland and can be accessed from the horse camping area. The Houston Mesa Interpretive Trail is a 0.5-mile self-guided trail.
The campground is located at an elevation of 5,200 ft. in a mixed forest and shrub area, with spacious campsites offering both sun and shade. Winters are pleasant and cool with cold nighttime temperatures, while summers are warm and sunny, providing a nice getaway from the hotter deserts around Phoenix. Hawks, eagles, javelina, deer, fox, skunk and coyote live in the area.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900.
Campers who make the quick trip to the town of Payson, one mile south, will find restaurants, shopping and other conveniences. Scenic driving and outdoor recreation abound in the surrounding Tonto National Forest, which embraces almost 3 million acres of rugged and spectacularly beautiful country, ranging from saguaro cactus-studded desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim.
$20 - $22 / night
Mogollon Campground, although not directly in the Woods Canyon Recreation area, sits just outside and is only two miles from the lake. For those who like spectacular views, this campground is one of the closest to the Mogollon Rim.
Fishing and boating are available at Woods Canyon Lake which is approximately three miles from the campground on Road 105.
Mogollon Campground is surrounded by ponderosa pines. The road to Mogollon is a sandy road off of Road 300. The campground itself is also sandy and gravel.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 535-0181.
Some groceries are available at the Marina Store at Woods Canyon Lake which is approximately three miles from the campground. The store also offers boat and kayak rentals. Woods Canyon Lake is a great lake for fishing.
$18 / night
Bartlett Flat Bartlett Reservoir and the Arizona Upland phase of the Sonoran Desert. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Bartlett Flat has primitive boat launch opportunities for small boats. River Access Point (RAP) for Verde River. There are no designated campsites at this shoreline area but camping along the shore is allowed. High water levels will limit the amount of available shoreline in this area.
The peaceful, tranquil setting at Rancho Sedona is unrivaled. Rancho Sedona is fully shaded by grand Sycamore and Cottonwood trees and is in the heart of town, next to beautiful Oak Creek. The park is within walking distance to galleries, shops and restaurants. Enjoy mountain biking, hiking and trout fishing all year long right from the park. In the summer enjoy swimming in the creek. Rancho Sedona is beautifully maintained and includes spacious sites, clean facilities, laundry, volleyball, fielded areas, and Free Wi-Fi and Digital Cable TV. Sedona is a wondrous place and we look forward to hosting you for your stay.
$42 - $84 / night
Located just 2 miles south of Payson, AZ just off highway 87.
Large area for big rigs to pull in and turn around.
This is a horse facility but you do not have to have horses to stay here.
Campers with horses can reserve a 15' x 32' partially covered stall for $15 per night.
Pets are welcome but must be contained or on a leash at all times.
Facility is in a very quiet neighborhood and is a 5 minute walk to several different surround trails.
$45 / night
Set in the northeast Valley of metro Phoenix, McDowell Mountain Regional Park covers 21,099 acres in the lower Verde River basin. Campers choose from 76 individual sites for tent or RV camping, which can accommodate up to a 45-foot RV. These developed sites have water and electrical hook-ups, plus a dump station, picnic table, and barbecue fire ring, while all restrooms offer flush toilets and showers. Group camping is also available.
McDowell Mountain activities range from biking, hiking, and horseback riding on over 50 miles of multi-use trails to picnicking, stargazing, and plenty of park-organized programs and events.
$32 / night
Colcord Ridge Situated within a mixed forest of Ponderosa pine, white and Douglas fir, Colcord Ridge is a great place to go during the hot summer months. Trout fishing is available -- 5 miles to the east of Canyon Creek Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery -- 5 miles east on FR 33. Wildlife includes: Black bear, elk, mountain lion, javelina and deer. This site is a great camp site for youth first learning how to camp. Pack It In, Pack It Out.
Traveler
An exceptionally well run site, easy out of hours check in, very clean. We stayed in the adults only section near ish to the creek. Very shady, and really good sized spaces. The creek is lovely to sit in or swim in and chill down. It's walking distance from Sedona town, and also walking distance to some great trails. Would totally stay here again.
LegendNicely laid out park. Lots of trees and shade. The site we had was nice but the utilities were in the very back of the site. I had one extension on the sewer hose and almost need another.The water hose was a stretch too. Lots of rules at this place, one of them, no fires, propane, wood or otherwise.
Traveler
Went down here mid August and it was a beautiful view. 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. There are there are plenty of spot to pull off into on that forest road. If you don’t get this exact spot just keep driving the road and you’ll find something in no time. A lot of dead trees laying around for firewood, but did need axe and hacksaw to cut size them down. Area had a lot of pine needles on the ground.
Scout
This place is really uneven, there’s literally nothing around. Do not recommend unless it’s an emergency stop and you need to spend the night there.
Guide
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.
Ranger
Gorgeous location and more spaced out than other campgrounds in the area (we stayed at the first loop). Be aware that if you have Verizon you may have bars but no LTE and that access and senior passes don’t work for double sites - also the host made rude remarks to other campers about my partner and I not being seniors because her access pass (she’s very visibly disabled) showed automatically as “senior” when we paid. Bathrooms are clean but bring your own soap!
Traveler
We really enjoyed our stay. We had an end/corner spot, which felt very spacious. The landscaping was nice with grass between units and trees in some areas. Felt more like a park than packed in parking lot feel of others. We also really enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi.
Scout
Campers nearby but overall felt secluded
Guide
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!
TravelerLovely spot near the creek with plenty of trees but contrary to the listing here they don’t allow fires despite having a lovely fire pit area!!! Could do with another shower/ toilet block too. Good late check in setup though.
ScoutCamp ground is maintained, organized. Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth.
Traveler
My first time here was over Veteran’s Day weekend and we woke up to F15s flying low overhead for Veteran’s Day. Campsites are disbursed and pleasantly of area to set up your site. Ground is flat and somewhat sandy like a beach. Other campsites seemed quite respectful and aware we are all sharing the same experience. sides were relatively clean, however, people do venture off into the Forrest area to use the restroom. That is my only concern is people do not pack out their toilet paper or their human feces. Please keep this area beautiful the way it naturally is and pack out your waste which is toxic to wildlife.
ScoutMy wife and I stayed here 2 nights for a quick trip through Sedona. It was overall a good experience. It’s a little tight but the grounds are pretty and peaceful. Everything was well organized. While not private showers the bathrooms were very clean. My only real complaint is that the Wi-Fi signal was not strong in our section. Would definitely stay again.
TravelerEverything you need for a good getaway. Definitely a good amount of people but lots of spots and not crowded feeling at all. Leave it nicer than you found it!
Traveler
We went up and tried our luck in the Forrest lakes area to find a spot with no reservations. Pretty much every site was full but this one. So we ended up there out of necessity. Ended up being a cool little spot with a concrete pad, picnic table, fire pit and vault toilets. Awesome trails that take you around the rim with some awesome views. Would stay again!
GuideI love Sedona! This palace is great, I stayed another day. Close access to creek, nice spaces, nice laundry room, and so quiet! Wish they allowed fires and only 2 showers for whole park, but wasn’t a huge issue.
Legend
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!
Guide
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.
ScoutThis is a beautiful spot off AZ state highway 260. Roads are a bit bumpy, and they have some shallow water crossings. Rvs and campers can make it in with relative ease.
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.
TravelerWas disappointed with premium pull thru spot 325. No shade and no where to place your outdoor carpet. It must be placed inside the railroad ties which is impossible with a class A motor coach. To make this worse they placed plastic runners between the railroad ties which did nothing other than a trip hazard especially at night. The patio tables were worn and unsightly to look at let alone eat at. They don’t want you to put your mat outside of the railroad ties since they are trying to grow grass. Good luck. Nice club house and recreation room. Very clean and pleasant.
ScoutWith all this rain and snow melt Bartlett flats is under water
GuideNice park, located close to downtown Sedona near shops and restaurants. Long list of rules but makes for a quiet and relaxing experience. Convenient to near by attractions and hiking trails. Only real complaint was the restroom and showers close for 2-3 hrs daily in the afternoon and there is only one restroom.
ScoutNice RV park in Sedona. Gravel spots for your rig with concrete pads for the picnic tables. Avoid sites 60 and 61. They are beautiful with shade from giant trees however the trees are full of Great Blue Herons and our rig was covered in poop the next morning.
Scout
The Barn at goAway Ranch is a perfect spot for us. It's in a residential neighborhood, but it doesn't feel like it. We enjoy it's proximity to town, but also to the trails, climbing, hiking and lakes nearby. It's clean and quiet and a great spot to boondock. The dump station is close, so it's a quick stop before your onto your next adventure.
GuideWe pulled up late so couldn’t see much, the office staff had gone home but had left us with a map and easy to follow instructions of everything in the park. We woke up early the next day to find the park was probably less then half full and an incredible sunrise.
GuideI can’t say enough about this place. It’s a pretty property, lots of clean and updated amenities. The pool area and clubhouse are amazing. Lots of events during the week plus holiday events. Their mission is to be family friendly and they are, they have activities for kids on the weekends and during holiday months. Very cute and well designed mini golf court. Cabins are available if you don’t have a camper. And the price is right.
TravelerAbsolutely love this place. Within 1hr of being there we decided it was going to be our anniversary camp spot. The spots that backup to the creek are amazing. We stayed in a spot closer to the bathroom/laundry the first time. Still amazing. Quiet cool common areas. Lots of shade. Walking distance to souvenir shopping. Trails. Photo ops. Quiet at night. All the hookups including cable.
Horse camping in Arizona offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Payson, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Payson, AZ is Houston Mesa Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Payson, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Payson, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
