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Houston Mesa Campground near Strawberry offers horse-friendly camping with dedicated equestrian sites. Each equestrian campsite contains two large corrals, a fire pit, and a picnic table, making it ideal for travelers with horses. The campground provides water locations throughout the grounds, clean bathrooms with flush toilets, and pay showers in the main non-horse section across the street. Paved driving areas and campsite parking make access convenient, though the equestrian area maintains natural surfaces. The campground can accommodate large horse trailers with ample parking space. Most sites are well-spaced, providing adequate room between neighbors and plenty of shade from surrounding trees.
The trails accessible from Houston Mesa are slightly rocky but serviceable for horseback riding. Located just minutes from Payson, the campground offers easy access to additional riding opportunities in the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Water Wheel Falls, approximately 15 minutes away, provides another destination point for day rides. The campground maintains an amphitheater for evening gatherings and educational programs. A nature walk with interpretive signs about local wildlife and plants offers an additional activity when not riding. The equestrian section remains separate from the main campground, creating a dedicated space for horse owners. Most trails connect to larger networks, allowing for varied riding experiences from short loops to full-day excursions.
"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."
from $22 - $170 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides."
"Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights."
"Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth."
from $42 - $84 / night
Check Availability"Trailer was about 40 feet from the edge with unparalleled views. I'd stay away from the rim edge on windy days. No worries during our stay."
"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."
"Which is OK in the Arizona winter, but not when it is still hot. We were here when it as really slow, not sure what it will like when the campground is full."
"There are lots of trees and it’s a great park to walk around. At the back you have the River you can walk around and you are surrounded with mountain views."
"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
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GuideWe stayed here for our first trip with a TT in December 2020. Water and electric hookups. They have a dump station. They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides.
LegendDead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park. It is also a great home base because it is down the street from Tuzigoot National Monument and close to Sedona and Monetzuma Castle National Monument. It is just outside the charming city of Cottonwood.
GuideThe forest was closed in Northern Arizona so I decided to camp out at Dead Horse Ranch SP. I was pretty pleased overall with my trip. My campsite was comfortable and private enough, considering how close the sites are at this campground. I had some shade trees to help keep my travel trailer cool but definitely needed to run the AC all night in order to stay comfortable. The RV sites here have fresh water and power, but no sewer. There is a dump station at the park entrance that is easily accessible when both entering and exiting the park. I enjoyed fishing, hiking, and bike riding while I was here but had to limit my outdoor activities to the morning hours due to the heat.
One afternoon I went into old town Cottonwood, which is only a couple of miles from the park. It's a great place to visit if you're into antiques or wine tasting.
LegendWow, what an awesome state park! Camping here with little ones was awesome, it had so much to do. The three small lakes are a great spot to fish and lots of shade. A horse stable and playground are nearby. There are 4 camping loops, 1 tent only. The cabins are on a separate road and have so much space and shade between. There is also river access. Close to national monuments and wineries. Not too far from Sedona and Jerome. Lots of day trips close by. We will be back!
TravelerAll 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.
GuideThis 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.
TravelerFor 5 years we had coming to Dead Horse RV Park. And about 5 to 6 times every year. Easy access to nearby towns.
LegendWe pulled into our spot at Dead Horse Ranch as the temps crept below freezing. This was our first night ever in a campervan, and we were feeling very fortunate for scoring the last site with electricity.
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It snowed in the night (February) and we woke to discover that the bathhouse was heated with free hot showers. This, combined with dishwashing stations (again with hot water) and friendly campground hosts, made for a lovely stay at Dead Horse Ranch.
The only downside was the lack of privacy between sites - fine for van or RV camping, but not ideal for tenters.
There are a couple of nice trails in the park, one leading into Old Town Cottonwood - try Old Town Cafe for their flaky croissants! Dead Horse Ranch is about 30 minutes from Sedona and fantastic hiking, which we took advantage of all three nights we were there.
Bottom line, this was not a wilderness experience, but Dead Horse Ranch provides nice sites and great amenities, and you can't beat the convenience of the location.
We preferred the Red Tailed Hawk loop to all the others, and really liked sites 57 - 64 for the views and access to trails.
GuideThis campground is awesome. It was the perfect refuge for the rainy week. It’s super well maintained. Free drinking water stations and a picnic area for each spot. Quiet and even with a gas station and Home Depot within a 15 min walk it still feels like you’re in the woods especially when the coyotes start howling at night. I wish we would have gone to the horse camp FF spots instead: they are farther away from the road sounds, more spaced out, and we could’ve stayed another night for the same price on the other side. Only difference is pavement roads/sites.
Dispersed camping sites near Strawberry, Arizona offer alternatives to the established Houston Mesa Campground. Located in the Tonto National Forest at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, these areas provide relief from summer desert heat with temperatures typically 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. The surrounding ponderosa pine forest transitions between desert scrub and mountain woodland, creating diverse camping environments within short distances.
Water activities at nearby rivers: Water Wheel Falls isn't the only water attraction near Strawberry. Verde River RV Resort, about 30 minutes from Strawberry, provides river access for cooling off. "We took advantage of the bathrooms, laundry, and creek access. Amenities were excellent and very clean," notes a camper at Rancho Sedona RV Park.
Hiking trails beyond Houston Mesa: Multiple trail networks connect throughout the region. "We took a 3.3 mile hike to woods canyon lake. There is a marina and boat rentals are available," reports a visitor to Mogollon Campground. For more challenging terrain, "Hangover trail was our favorite" according to another camper staying at Rancho Sedona.
Explore local towns: The area's small communities offer additional activities. "Close to Payson with all the amenities. Also, close to the Mongollon Rim. Reasonable cell coverage with Verizon," mentions one camper about Houston Mesa. Another adds that the area is "Within 2 miles East on Houston Mesa rd... you can drive to shofly Indian ruins."
Natural shade from pines: The forest cover provides welcome relief from the Arizona sun. At Little Green Valley, campers appreciate the "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."
Space between sites: Unlike some crowded campgrounds, many dispersed areas offer breathing room. "Spots are fairly large and allow for some large rigs and is located right on the edge of town," notes a camper at Houston Mesa. At Pivot Rock Canyon, visitors report "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."
Night sky views: The region's relatively dark skies attract stargazers. "You can see so many stars at night, it's wonderful," writes a Mogollon Campground visitor. Away from urban light pollution, the Mogollon Rim area presents exceptional night sky viewing opportunities during clear conditions.
Seasonal accessibility: Most rim campgrounds operate seasonally. "May to October" is the operating season for Mogollon Campground, while Houston Mesa remains open from "February 1 to November 30." Winter access to higher elevations can be limited by snow.
Fire restrictions: Fire policies vary by forest section and season. At Pivot Rock Canyon, campers note that "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!"
Road conditions for dispersed sites: Access to off-grid locations requires preparation. At Milk Ranch Point Road Dispersed, "they just leveled and packed gravel down so the road is accessible for non 4x4 cars. I brought my Chevy trax which is front wheel drive and had zero issues. Just watch for larger rocks once you pull off obviously."
Beginner-friendly horse sites: For families new to equestrian camping near Strawberry, Houston Mesa offers structured corrals and facilities. One family reports, "We've camped at Houston Mesa Campground several times and consistently have a fantastic experience... The camp hosts are incredibly friendly and helpful, adding to the welcoming atmosphere."
Kid-friendly activity areas: Several campgrounds include dedicated recreation spaces. Verde River RV Resort features "a pool and hot tub, mini golf, playground, pickle ball court, clubhouse, and lots of crafts and activities for the kids!" according to a regular visitor.
Proximity to amenities: When camping with children, access to supplies matters. A Houston Mesa camper notes it's "Close drive to home and nice setup that makes you feel like you are in the woods. No hookups here at all but nice clean bathrooms to use." Another mentions it's "Less than 10 minutes from Payson."
Water and dump availability: At Houston Mesa, "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." Another RVer notes "No hook ups though but you can fill your tanks on site."
Consider noise levels: Road proximity affects campground quietness. At Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground, "If the sites had a little more privacy, I'd give five stars." Another RVer mentions at Houston Mesa "There IS a lot of traffic noise - and there's a Home Depot across the road from the entrance."
Site selection for shade: Summer temperatures make shade critical. "Took Friday off to get a Non-reserved spot early as this small ground can fill up quick for the weekend," advises a Mogollon Campground visitor. At Verde River, "they price the space according to size, whether it has trees, and whether it is along the river."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Strawberry, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Strawberry, AZ is Houston Mesa Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Strawberry, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Strawberry, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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