Available sites
37 total sites
RV Sites
About Ponderosa (AZ)
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Site Setup and Access
- Shaded Site
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
Rates, Sites & Availability
37 Sites Available
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Site Details
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37 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (515)
What Guests Are Saying
Ponderosa Campground offers spacious, clean sites with helpful camp hosts and well-maintained facilities, making it a pleasant camping experience. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful environment, despite some noise from the nearby highway. While some sites may be challenging for larger trailers and have limited shade due to recent tree thinning, the overall positive atmosphere and convenience to town make it a favored destination for campers.
What Guests Are Saying
Ponderosa Campground offers spacious, clean sites with helpful camp hosts and well-maintained facilities, making it a pleasant camping experience. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful environment, despite some noise from the nearby highway. While some sites may be challenging for larger trailers and have limited shade due to recent tree thinning, the overall positive atmosphere and convenience to town make it a favored destination for campers.
Review Summary
Judy H
VerifiedOctober 13, 2023 • Stayed at: A-05, Loop: ALOO
Clean campground. I was there just before a holiday weekend so it was very quiet.
Judy H
VerifiedOctober 13, 2023 • Stayed at: A-05, Loop: ALOO
Clean campground. I was there just before a holiday weekend so it was very quiet.
Eddie C
VerifiedOctober 9, 2023 • Stayed at: C-08, Loop: CLOO
Very comfortable campsite, we had more than enough space it actually felt private. The tall trees swayed with the high winds all around it, it was relaxing. This location is convenient to the Water Wheel trail to the west and the Mogollon Rim to the east, and everything in between. An easy drive into Payson for supplies, food, or visit a local restaurant/bar.
Eddie C
VerifiedOctober 9, 2023 • Stayed at: C-08, Loop: CLOO
Very comfortable campsite, we had more than enough space it actually felt private. The tall trees swayed with the high winds all around it, it was relaxing. This location is convenient to the Water Wheel trail to the west and the Mogollon Rim to the east, and everything in between. An easy drive into Payson for supplies, food, or visit a local restaurant/bar.
Helen H
VerifiedOctober 8, 2023 • Stayed at: D-05, Loop: DLOO
D-5 was a great site. It felt private, but the facilities were a just a short walk down the road. Agree with previous reviewer that it has limited flat ground. We were able to pitch one four-man tent, but would have struggled if we needed a second spot.
Helen H
VerifiedOctober 8, 2023 • Stayed at: D-05, Loop: DLOO
D-5 was a great site. It felt private, but the facilities were a just a short walk down the road. Agree with previous reviewer that it has limited flat ground. We were able to pitch one four-man tent, but would have struggled if we needed a second spot.
Matthew M
September 24, 2023
Overall the campsite was pretty good. Clean throughout. The camp host welcomed us at arrival. My young son and I had left around 10am on Saturday to go fishing at woods canyon lake. When we returned 4 hours later all of our firewood had been stolen. Someone also went through our bear box and had taken food from our coolers. After the discovery I went to speak with the camp host.. which was nowhere to be found. I was going to drive all the way back into Payson for more supplies but I decided I didn’t feel safe in the campground for our second night. We packed our equipment and attempted to contact the camp host for the second time but was unable to locate anyone. We just left and decided to come home. Quite disappointing. Like I said the campground itself seemed nice, but we won’t be attending this campground anymore in the future.
Matthew M
September 24, 2023
Overall the campsite was pretty good. Clean throughout. The camp host welcomed us at arrival. My young son and I had left around 10am on Saturday to go fishing at woods canyon lake. When we returned 4 hours later all of our firewood had been stolen. Someone also went through our bear box and had taken food from our coolers. After the discovery I went to speak with the camp host.. which was nowhere to be found. I was going to drive all the way back into Payson for more supplies but I decided I didn’t feel safe in the campground for our second night. We packed our equipment and attempted to contact the camp host for the second time but was unable to locate anyone. We just left and decided to come home. Quite disappointing. Like I said the campground itself seemed nice, but we won’t be attending this campground anymore in the future.
Rafael C
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2023 • Stayed at: C-06, Loop: CLOO
Beautiful place to enjoy nature and reconnect with the present moment. Definitely I will reserve before going to this campsite more days. The site was clean and the reservation was posted on site, the on site site guard was very attentive and helpful.
Rafael C
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2023 • Stayed at: C-06, Loop: CLOO
Beautiful place to enjoy nature and reconnect with the present moment. Definitely I will reserve before going to this campsite more days. The site was clean and the reservation was posted on site, the on site site guard was very attentive and helpful.
Location & Directions for Ponderosa (AZ)
1009 East Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541 United States
Elevation: 1,730 ft
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.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via State Route 260, which runs east from Payson. No interstates or major highways are noted within 25 miles.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
11AM
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fees & deposits
- A charge of $8 per night applies for a second vehicle.
Utilities
- No hookups for electricity, water, or sewer are available at this campground.
- Dump and fill station services are not available at this campground.
Site types & loops
- First-come, first-served sites can be accessed with payment at an onsite fee machine.
- You must arrive in-person to check availability of first-come, first-served sites; availability is not guaranteed.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood cannot be purchased at the campground; bring your own.
Safety & rules
- Fireworks are not allowed on National Forest Land.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 21, 2026
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Population: 16,622
Elevation: 4,961 ft
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