Ponderosa Campground
Ponderosa Campground offers visitors a beautiful location to relax and enjoy nature. It runs along the Nacimiento River, which provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Swimming, fishing and wading are all enjoyed by visitors, as well as hiking and backpacking on any of the surrounding mountain trails.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 23 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
23 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 002 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 003 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 004 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 005 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 006 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 007 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 008 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 009 | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 010 | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Utility hookups are not available and the parking surfaces are paved. A maximum of two vehicles is allowed for each site. Additional vehicles are not allowed in the campground. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Trash collection bins are available throughout the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations: 19 sites are reservable through www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Reservations need to be made 3 or more days in advance. |
| Fees | $35.00 per site. 6-8 people per site. (one vehicle is included in the price of the campsite). Extra vehicles are $10 per vehicle per night. Interagency Senior Pass and Interagency Access pass holders are entitled to 50% off of camping only - not valid for day use or extra vehicle fee. |
| Rules | 14 day maximum stay No dispersed camping along Nacimiento-Fergusson Road Forest Order 05-07-51-17-04 Roadside Camping Prohibition |
Weather by month
Getting there
Campground is only available to access via the 101 side, the Highway 1/ Nacimiento Road Access is CLOSED. From Monterey, Take highway 68 to the 101. Accessible through Highway 101 exit Jolon Road. From Los Angeles/South take highway 101 to the Jolon Road exit, follow until campground.
| Coordinates | 36.0050° N, 121.3764° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireTimber
24 mi from the campground · 25,350 acres · 97% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kahunas Surf Skate and Snow ↗ | 46.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | California RV Outlets ↗ | 51.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Ponderosa Campground Los Padres National Forest Big Sur Area 360 VR 4K
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miSlick Rock3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.4 miWillow Creek ↗6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Ventana Wilderness begins about 6.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.1 miVentana Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 236,726 acres
- 6.7 miSilver Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 31,415 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Milpitas RanchhouseBuilding · King City · 7.5 mi
- Jose Mario Gil AdobeBuilding · Jolon · 10.9 mi
- Dutton Hotel, Stagecoach StationBuilding · Jolon · 11.4 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated next to the river and has a scattered canopy of ponderosa pine, oak, madrone and sycamore trees, which provide ample shade in most campsites. It is located in the Los Padres National Forest in the mountains of Big Sur at an elevation of 1,500 feet. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
Recreation
The Nacimiento River provides opportunities for trout fishing and wading, as well as swimming in any of the swimming holes along its course. A variety of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails can be accessed within a short drive from the campground. The trails offer scenic views of waterfalls, massive redwood groves, meadows and mountain streams.
Nearby
Mission San Antonio is a short drive east of the campground. Located in the Fort Hunter Liggett Military Base, the mission is one of the oldest in California. A museum, original aqueducts and a Native American cemetery are found here. The San Antonio Reservoir Recreation Area is located about 32 miles southwest of the campground. Boating, fishing, swimming and guided tours are available.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Ponderosa Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ponderosa Campground?
$35.00 per site. 6-8 people per site. (one vehicle is included in the price of the campsite).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ponderosa Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ponderosa Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ponderosa Campground have?
23 sites, including 23 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ponderosa Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Ponderosa Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ponderosa Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Ponderosa Campground?
The Nacimiento River provides opportunities for trout fishing and wading, as well as swimming in any of the swimming holes along its course. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Ponderosa Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Nacimiento Campground (1.4 mi, first-come), Kirk Creek Campground (6.6 mi), and Plaskett Creek Campground (7.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby