Ponderosa (AZ)

I love Ponderosa Campground. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean. There is a good education program.

Nice clean campground. Stayed in G-1 at back of campground bathroom clean too get plus.

Thank you for an amazing weekend with family. Both camp hosts were so kind and amazing.

Our campsite had not been cleaned. No one ever checked us in properly, meaning we were never given a tag to put in our windshield. The one and only camp host told us that the new rules were that we could not burn any scrap wood such as 2 x 4 or any wood brought from home. However, there is nothing in writing stating that rule.

We stayed in site D2 from 10/10-10/15 with our grandkids. The campsite was very clean and well maintained. The vault toilets were very clean and well stocked with toilet paper. Our camp host Beth was very friendly and made sure we were well taken care of. She kept us informed of some crazy weather coming our way as well. We had a big windstorm while we were there and it blew down branches and trashed the roads. Beth worked tirelessly blowing off the roads so the campground looked nice and the roads were clear of hazards. This campground is set in the pines with tons of trees and huge campsites far away from each other. There was plenty of room for the kids to explore and be kids. It feels like you are really out in the forest. We will definitely return.

Beth there is phenomenal. Vigilant, sociable, attentive, caring and respectful. The visit was great and she made it better.

Going in the fall is the ideal.....kids back in school and very quiet. Large area of paved loops so walking is pretty even. Amenities were always clean but be aware they are pit toilets. The campsite had been thoroughly raked and fireplace cleaned out.

Camp hosts were polite/friendly, but be sure to abide by all the rules or you will be reminded. Even ones you didn't know like no pinecones on campfires, can't leave foraged wood next to the fireplace if not used must "put it back in the forest" even though we have always left for next guest in years past.

First visit was disappointing. When we arrived we went to the dump to fill our fresh water tank. There was no screw on hose connection so we couldn't get water. Then, we noticed several fresh water outlet on Loop A so I connected to one and starting filling my water tank. A lady who works there ( a contractor) shouted "sir, you can not fill your RV from there". I asked were I could fill and she said no where because people had stolen some back pressure device from water outlets. At that point I told her the web site stated "drinking water" and we have drive 6 1/2 hours to find out NO Water connection for an RV, I told her we had a check valve on our water pressure regulator that will keep water from going back to the source. She said since we had already started filling she would allow us to finish this one time. I don't understand how RV water could back up into the source after the water valve is turned off??). She said NPS was responsible, not her since they are just contractors. (No camp host?) The water fill problem should be posted on the web page for this campground.
Also, the campground in general was in bad condition, no good paved sites no visible trails. We have stayed at a lot of National Park and Forest Service places, this was the worst. (No comparison to the well managed Houston-Mesa just down the road in Payson). We will not be back.

Beth was our host, she took very good care of us and was very kind. She was also very helpful and informative regarding the wildlife, weather, and safety. She has a great personality and came to welcome us at our site as we attempted to set up in the dark. The campsite was very beautiful, though it was very cold. The campsite and restrooms were clean and well kept.

Camp Host Beth is such a great person!
Beth was always working hard and so pleasurable to talk to.
The site was very clean and the restrooms were as well.
Beth even recommended a nearby hike which was awesome!
We enjoyed our stay and will definitely return.