The Dyrt can help you find the perfect horse camping site near Sun Valley. Finding a place to stay in Arizona while traveling with your horse is easy. With our help, you'll find the best Arizona equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
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.
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
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.
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
Dispersed Camping Area.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Scout
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. Was very helpful and provided good directions. Hoping I can stay sometime soon.
ScoutNice little campground and well thought out. The owner is a wonderful person and made sure we had everything we needed and has anything you need to enjoy the campground. We were only there overnight but loved it. The only issue is the road to get to the campground is almost 10 miles of a non maintained road, very bumpy.
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
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.
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt. I love that this space can fit those extra large RV's or tents. With your own platform to picnic on or pitch your tent, and yard games to play, this is a cozy and cute spot to visit on your next adventure. The free firewood is a sweet touch. Come give them a try and leave them some love!
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.
ScoutReally nice area for any type of camping any time of the year. There are toilets at the entrance to the flats, with trash dumps but it would be a hike the farther away you camp from it so bring your own or rough it and recover it! Ground is mostly level on desert sand and you can launch a dinghy, jet ski, canoe, or kayak from the shoreline; wouldn’t trust anything larger than that but there’s a ramp in driving distance south of the campsite. Went there Indigenous Peoples day and found plenty of semi-private spaces to settle into. Recommend this for groups, solo, fishing, swimming, and families.
Scout This campground has easy access, and the roads are graded very well. Lots of trees and a stream running through the canyon. 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. 
Travelernot clean. Leave no trace! The Campgrounds stewards slow to cleaning campsites.
TravelerScoutDeer in campground in trees! The bathrooms are immaculate! Very friendly people!
RangerThis is just a dirt road off of the highway. I saw another review that said there was some road noise, but if you keep following the road back, there is campsites all the way along it and it gets very peaceful and quiet.
We stayed there for about 3 nights and loved it. We collected wood from the area, there was a little stream nearby, and it was great.
Highly recommend.
TravelerWe enjoyed a couple of days car/tent camping at this multiuser campground . We parked on a private shaded pad next to a fire pit and table. Very quiet (mid week). Showers were closed but the bathrooms were spotless. Camp host on grounds firewood for sale. Close by Payson.
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 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sun Valley, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Sun Valley, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
