Here is the info we have put together.
Houston Mesa Horse Camp is going to remain Equestrian! The site does require reservations for some of the sites, others are considered "walk up". Reservations and other information, including map of the area can be found at recreation.gov , then search Houston mesa, then search camping and lodging and then search horse sites. Facility map of Houston Mesa can be found here Houston Mesa Horse camp map . Camp host is available at the camp ground across the street from "Horse camp", they will make rounds several times daily to colloect fees and information and to permit your stay.
The Cost at Houston Mesa is $14.00 per night. This includes, back in or pull-through site, camp fire ring, picnic table, two horse corrals, restroom facilities (flushing) with sinks and water for horses. Showers are available to campers at the Houston Mesa camp ground across the street for a charge.
The camp site is for equestrians only and has a group facility available also.
Trails at Houston Mesa:
While at the camp ground AzHC board members rode the "Houston Mesa Loop" and also portions of the "Shoofly Loop". We also took a couple of side trails though we were unsure of the names or where they led too.
The trails are well marked along the Houston Mesa loop, there is a debate as to whether they are actually multi use (including OHV) or simply non motorized. The trails are a combination of sand/dirt and rock, some areas being very rocky. There is obvious damage to the trail due to water erosion at the least. Some areas the trail is wide enough for a couple horses or a quad, other places along the trail are not wide at all and single file is best. There will be ups and downs, some on rock, this is where the erosion will be most apparent to riders. While on the trails we did encounter a few hikers (including dogs), a couple bikers, and a few quads. We did not really find one side of the loop more challenging than the other, though that is stated at loops start.
While out scouting the area, AzHC Board also took the shoofly trail. It is NOT marked until well up the hillside on the trail. This trail, if found, is very rocky and a climb for awhile. Eventually, you will reach the top of the hill (mesa) and have a beautiful view of the Rim. Along this trail, some ways down, you can find some ruins. This trail is marked in a couple of places, though not many and is not easily found, though portions of the trail are very definitive, most are not. We came across no other people on this portion of the trail, though at the top, we did see evidence of tire marks, due to close proximity of the road.
We found NO water along any of the trails that we took. We did come across the old military bunker on the Houston Mesa loop. We also found access to a canyon and other trailheads along houston loop. Alot of this area is very thick with vegetation, though it does open up in a few spots. We enjoyed the ride and the views. Once again, there are several trails coming off of the Houston loop, one being the shoofly. None of those trails are marked and we did not travel many of them, so we have no further info on them.
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