Ponderosa (AZ) Campsite
Ponderosa (AZ) Loop A Amphitheater
Ponderosa CG
Ponderosa
Ponderosa (AZ) Water Source

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

37 total sites

About Ponderosa (AZ)

Named for the towering pines under which it sits, Ponderosa Campground is tucked in the rolling forests of northern Arizona. As the fifth-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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 15 to Nov 1

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Site Setup and Access

Site Setup and Access

  • Shaded Site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 A-04, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 A-05, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 A-06, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A-07, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 A-09, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A-10, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 A-11, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 A-14, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A-16, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A-18, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 A-19, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A-20, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A-21, Loop: ALOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B-01, Loop: BLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 B-02, Loop: BLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 B-04, Loop: BLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B-07, Loop: BLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-02, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-03, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-04, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-05, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-06, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-07, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-08, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C-09, Loop: CLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-01, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-02, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-03, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-04, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-05, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-06, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-07, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-08, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-10, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 D-11, Loop: DLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 GR-E, Loop: ELOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved
🚐 GR-F, Loop: FLOO RV
Pet Friendly · Paved

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.

Review Summary

4.4
515 reviews
5
69.5%
358
4
14.8%
76
3
5.8%
30
2
6.0%
31
1
3.9%
20

Helen H

Verified

October 8, 2023 • Stayed at: D-05, Loop: DLOO

5

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

Verified

October 8, 2023 • Stayed at: D-05, Loop: DLOO

5

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.

Rafael C

Verified

September 19, 2023 • Stayed at: C-06, Loop: CLOO

5

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

Verified

September 19, 2023 • Stayed at: C-06, Loop: CLOO

5

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.

Paul S

Verified

September 17, 2023 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO

2

The camp host was ridiculous. We arrived, had our reservation and proceeded to our spot. Halfway to our spot she ran out of a restroom she was cleaning and began yelling at us that we were supposed to stop at her host rigfirst. It did not say that anywhere,and even if it did, she would not have been there! Condescending and rude!! Also the d7mp was “closed for true season” in August!!! Likely will not be back.

Paul S

Verified

September 17, 2023 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO

2

The camp host was ridiculous. We arrived, had our reservation and proceeded to our spot. Halfway to our spot she ran out of a restroom she was cleaning and began yelling at us that we were supposed to stop at her host rigfirst. It did not say that anywhere,and even if it did, she would not have been there! Condescending and rude!! Also the d7mp was “closed for true season” in August!!! Likely will not be back.

Ann M

Verified

September 13, 2023 • Stayed at: C-02, Loop: CLOO

4

The spots are nicely spread out so you don’t feel like you’re right on top of your neighbors. Our only issue was the bathrooms, they are just permanent port a potty’s. Very extremely smelly, no light, no sink. Everyone waited to use them until we were going to burst. Worth investing in a portable potty so we don’t have to use them next time.

Ann M

Verified

September 13, 2023 • Stayed at: C-02, Loop: CLOO

4

The spots are nicely spread out so you don’t feel like you’re right on top of your neighbors. Our only issue was the bathrooms, they are just permanent port a potty’s. Very extremely smelly, no light, no sink. Everyone waited to use them until we were going to burst. Worth investing in a portable potty so we don’t have to use them next time.

Mark S

Verified

September 11, 2023 • Stayed at: D-11, Loop: DLOO

4

We have stayed at this park many times over the years; unfortunately, at each stay, we see the park in worse shape. I hope that this trend can be reversed because the location is beautiful, quiet and tranquil. On our last trip, the potable water fill and dump station were closed. The RV pads are getting smaller due to crumbling around the edges.

Mark S

Verified

September 11, 2023 • Stayed at: D-11, Loop: DLOO

4

We have stayed at this park many times over the years; unfortunately, at each stay, we see the park in worse shape. I hope that this trend can be reversed because the location is beautiful, quiet and tranquil. On our last trip, the potable water fill and dump station were closed. The RV pads are getting smaller due to crumbling around the edges.

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.

Nearest town

Payson, AZ - 13 mi

About 18 min to downtown

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


Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore Payson, AZ

Population: 16,622

Nearby larger city

Flagstaff, AZ

Approx. 69 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,961 ft

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