Ponderosa
Named for the towering pines under which it sits, Ponderosa Campground is tucked in the rolling forests of northern Arizona. As one of the largest forest in the country, the Tonto National Forest is one of the most-visited urban forests in the United States, boasting about 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. While this campground did undergo a timber sale a few years ago it still has many ponderosa trees that will be stronger and healthier for future generations to enjoy.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 49 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
51 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A12 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A13 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A15 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A17 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A-03 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | 10 / 1 | Yes | |
| A-04 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A-05 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 35 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A-06 | ALOO | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A-07 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 35 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| A-08 | ALOO | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | 10 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 130 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site A-08 is listed accessible |
The facility provides 48 single campsites and two group sites that can accommodate up to 25 people guests each. The campsites are clean, flat and spacious with a good amount of shade from pine trees. No cash is accepted. Check-In is 2:00 pm Check-Out is 11:00 am
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | April 1st to November 2nd |
| Forest | Tonto National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for the standard sites or 12 months in advance for the… |
| Fees | Automatic fee machine is available on site at campground entrance, please follow the instructions. $22 per night for standard sites; and $100 per night for group sites. |
| Rules | 14-day stay limit. No OHV recreational riding within the campground. Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a leash. Please use trash receptacles or pack it in, pack it out. All campgrounds have posted Rules & Regulations at entrance kiosks. Please read and observe all rules. Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours). |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Payson, Arizona, go east on State Route 260. The campground is located on the south side of 260. A campground sign is visible before the campground entrance.
| Nearest town | Payson, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 34.2989° N, 111.1142° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD2 Sinkhole Rx
13 mi from the campground · 875 acres
- PrescribedD2 Vincent Rx
13 mi from the campground · 2,258 acres
- PrescribedD2 Dye Rx
15 mi from the campground · 5,246 acres
- PrescribedTillman Rx
17 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Woods Canyon Dump Station ↗ | 9.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Ponderosa Campground Los Padres National Forest Big Sur Area 360 VR 4K
Worth a stop
The nearby town of Payson, Arizona, offers restaurants, shopping and other conveniences.
- 8.1 miDrew Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.6 miCarr Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.8 miRocky Point Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 12.5 mi
- 13.2 miWillow Springs Lake Fishing And Boating Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miDerrick Spur0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miHell'S Gate ↗10.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miBear Flat ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3 miDerrick2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miHorton Creek3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miMescal Ridge3.1 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
This campground sits inside Tonto National Forest.
- inTonto National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,966,417 acres
- 3.5 miHellsgate Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,457 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
- Diamond Point Lookout CabinBuilding · Tonto Village · 4.6 mi
- Promontory Butte Lookout ComplexStructure · Beaver Park · 7.5 mi
- Ox Bow InnBuilding · Payson · 13.6 mi
Natural features
The ponderosa pine trees make this a memorable campground. Larger ponderosas release a vanilla scent into the air and have a relatively open understory, making the area perfect for camping. Mixed into the understory are junipers, oaks and manzanita shrubs. The campground sits on the border of the Mogollon Rim, pronounced by locals as "muggy-own," a 200-mile-long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. The unique landscape was created by extreme erosion and faulting that has sculpted spectacular canyons and buttes. The rim serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below.
Recreation
Take advantage of the area's hiking/biking trails and lakes or simply relaxing at the campsite. Scenic driving and outdoor recreation abound in the surrounding Tonto National Forest. A series of lakes called the Rim Country Lakes are about a 15 minute drive east. Woods Canyon Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state and offers options for boating.
Guidebooks for Tonto National Forest and Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
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?
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?
Automatic fee machine is available on site at campground entrance, please follow the instructions. $22 per night for standard sites; and $100 per night for group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ponderosa?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ponderosa open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 1st to November 2nd.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ponderosa have?
52 sites, including 49 standard sites without power and 2 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ponderosa?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Ponderosa?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ponderosa. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ponderosa?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14-day stay limit.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Ponderosa?
Site A-08 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Ponderosa?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Ponderosa?
Take advantage of the area's hiking/biking trails and lakes or simply relaxing at the campsite. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ponderosa?
Payson, Arizona. The nearby town of Payson, Arizona, offers restaurants, shopping and other conveniences.
Source: Getting there