Houston Mesa Group
Its sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, and camping costs Group Site with electric hook-up: $170 per night. Houston Mesa Group is a National Forest campground near Payson, Arizona.
Reservable: Recreation.gov
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Hookups
- Some sites
Houston Mesa Group sits inside Tonto National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- Recreation.gov
- Fee
- Group Site with electric hook-up: $170 per night
- Booking window
- 3 days ahead of arrival, up to 6 months in advance
Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Sites and hookups
- Tent sites
- 29
- Group sites
- 1
- Group site capacity
- Up to 75 people
- Hookups
- Some sites
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Potable water
- ✓ Fire rings
- ✓ Pets allowed
On site: Toilets, potable water, fire rings, and pets allowed.
Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Rules
- Stay limit
- 14 days
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Generators
- Allowed outside quiet hours
- Pets
- Allowed
Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Access and cell service
- Elevation
- 5,100 ft
Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)
- AT&T
- 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
- T-Mobile
- 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
- Verizon
- 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025
Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.
34.2689, -111.3157 in Gila. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Houston Mesa Group?
How much does it cost to camp at Houston Mesa Group?
How many campsites does Houston Mesa Group have?
Does Houston Mesa Group have RV hookups?
Is there drinking water at Houston Mesa Group?
Are dogs allowed at Houston Mesa Group?
How long can you stay at Houston Mesa Group?
Are generators allowed at Houston Mesa Group?
Is there cell service at Houston Mesa Group?
Who manages Houston Mesa Group?
Around Houston Mesa Group
C.C. Cragin Reservoir's mapped center point is 21 miles from Houston Mesa Group in a straight line. Current water level: C.C. Cragin Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.
Hot springs, waterfalls and swimming nearby
Nearest to Houston Mesa Group, in straight-line miles: Waterwheel Falls (waterfall, 5.9 miles), Fossil Creek Waterfall (waterfall, 19 miles), Fossil Creek (swimming hole, 20 miles), and Verde Hot Springs (hot spring, 23 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.
First-come Kehl Springs Reservable Ponderosa Group 
Reservable Ponderosa Campground More campgrounds: camping near Payson and campgrounds in Gila.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
- fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-29
- broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27