OutReserve

Ponderosa (AZ)

Ponderosa (AZ) Campsite
Ponderosa (AZ)
Ponderosa
Ponderosa (AZ)
Ponderosa (AZ) Loop A Amphitheater

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.

Number of accommodations: 37

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

Sites & Availability

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 A-04, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-05, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-06, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-07, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-09, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-10, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-11, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-14, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-16, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-18, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-19, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-20, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A-21, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 B-01, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 B-02, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 B-04, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 B-07, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-02, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-03, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-04, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-05, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-06, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-07, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-08, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 C-09, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-01, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-02, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-03, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-04, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-05, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-06, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-07, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-08, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-10, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 D-11, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 GR-E, Loop: ELOO
No Hookups
$100.00
/ per night
🚐 GR-F, Loop: FLOO
No Hookups
$100.00
/ per night

Reviews (232)

What Guests Are Saying

Ponderosa Campground is praised for its cleanliness, friendly hosts, and spacious, well-maintained sites, making it a favorite for many campers. Families enjoyed the layout of Group Site E, and amenities like clean bathrooms and convenient trash disposal were highlighted positively. However, concerns were raised about tree removal plans affecting the campground's appeal and some noise disturbances from nearby highways and other campers.

Review Summary

4.4
232 reviews
5
72.4%
168
4
13.4%
31
3
4.7%
11
2
5.6%
13
1
3.9%
9

Jacqueline V

Verified

October 11, 2021 Stayed at: A-18, Loop: ALOO

2

The site was nice but the family next to me let their children scream loudly all day long, I love kids but this was excessive and it started at 6am. They also played loud music. The site manager drove by but never stopped to speak to them. I was afraid to say anything because I was alone and they looked rough. I had 3 nights reserved but left after two nights. I even went to town and bought ear plugs but I could still hear them. I would not go back to a campground again. I'll take my chances alone in the woods. I think the host should have done something instead of just ignoring it. All the sites were full so I could not move. Everyone else was good.

Cindy T

October 10, 2021

5

Nice sized campsites.

Ricky G

Verified

October 10, 2021 Stayed at: A-21, Loop: ALOO

5

The camp host was great and helpful!!

Sergio P

Verified

October 10, 2021 Stayed at: B-02, Loop: BLOO

5

The host is very professional, respectful and friendly. It is noticeable she enjoys her job, as the campground is very clean and she has a very positive attitude!

Ashish S

Verified

October 9, 2021 Stayed at: A-21, Loop: ALOO

3

Campsite was easy to find and maintained. Camp staff was super friendly and helped us with fire wood. Although, our campsite was too close to the freeway and somewhat ruined the experience compared to other places we've been to.

Catie B

Verified

October 5, 2021 Stayed at: A-11, Loop: ALOO

3

When we got there, they had released our campsite (even though we paid for both days that were required in order to stay there). They luckily had another campsite available, so all was not lost...but the reason you pay for these sites is to know you have them when you show up. The campground itself was really pretty, just off the highway (so you do get some noise, but that's to be expected) and the facilities were clean as well as the campsite.

Adam J

Verified

October 4, 2021 Stayed at: A-09, Loop: ALOO

5

Had a great time at Ponderosa campground. The campsites were spaced out pretty well, and they were well maintained. Will definitely camp here again!

Meg P

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: GR-E, Loop: ELOO

5

Beautiful location, clean campsite. Camp host was great.

Alexandra G

Verified

September 26, 2021 Stayed at: A-04, Loop: ALOO

4

I walked over to the host site to ask for wood and unfortunately I forgot my money. She said she’d come by later that night, and never did. No big deal, just the reason behind not giving 5 stars.

Traci H

Verified

September 21, 2021 Stayed at: A-09, Loop: ALOO

5

Very peaceful!!

Location Ponderosa (AZ)

Address:
1009 East Highway 260
Payson, AZ, 85541
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 34.2989 / -111.114

Elevation: 1730 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Second vehicle charge of $8 per night is required. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine.

General

There are no electricity, water or sewer site hookups.

General

First-come, first-served sites are available. Payment is done with onsite fee machine.

General

No firewood sales available at campground. Plan to purchase ahead of time.

General

No Dump or Fill Station Services.

General

For First-Come, First-Served sites, you must physically arrive at the campground to see if the campsite is available. There is no guarantee this site will be available to purchase upon your arrival.

General

Check in time is 2:00pm and check out time is 11:00am. Quiet Hours are from 10:00pm to 6:00am.

General

Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest Land.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations