OutReserve

Ponderosa (AZ)

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

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

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
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-05, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-06, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-07, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-09, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-10, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-11, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-14, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-16, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-18, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-19, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-20, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A-21, Loop: ALOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B-01, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B-02, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B-04, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B-07, Loop: BLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-02, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-03, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-04, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-05, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-06, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-07, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-08, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C-09, Loop: CLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-01, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-02, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-03, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-04, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-05, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-06, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-07, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-08, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-10, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D-11, Loop: DLOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 GR-E, Loop: ELOO
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 GR-F, Loop: FLOO
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (474)

What Guests Are Saying

Ponderosa Campground offers beautiful, spacious sites surrounded by tall pines, making it a favorite for many campers. The hosts are friendly and maintain the campground well, ensuring clean facilities and a pleasant experience. However, some sites experience noise from the nearby highway, and concerns about tree removal for maintenance could impact future visits.

Review Summary

4.4
474 reviews
5
71.7%
340
4
13.5%
64
3
4.9%
23
2
6.1%
29
1
3.8%
18

Chris M

Verified

November 10, 2024 Stayed at: A-09, Loop: ALOO

5

Highly recommend!
When we arrived, the signs made it easy to find our spot, which was already tagged with our name on the post.
The campsite was very clean. The picnic bench looked practically brand new, as did the bear box storage (which was very convenient).
Bathrooms were also very clean and appeared to be evenly spaced out throughout the campgrounds.
We stayed in A-09 which is the second loop from the front. There was some highway noise at night, nothing annoying, but when we come back I’ll reserve a spot further back.

James C

Verified

November 10, 2024 Stayed at: D-03, Loop: DLOO

5

Making the reservation was simple and fast. The Ponderosa Campground was clean and well kept. The campsite I picked was very large with plenty of flat area with a nice sturdy aluminum picnic bench., and a fire ring. The bathrooms were clean and stocked with toilet paper daily. And, there was also a dumpster near my site to toss the trash in. It’s only a 20 min drive to town if you need supplies. Two thumbs up!

Chris M

Verified

November 10, 2024 Stayed at: A-09, Loop: ALOO

5

Highly recommend!
When we arrived, the signs made it easy to find our spot, which was already tagged with our name on the post.
The campsite was very clean. The picnic bench looked practically brand new, as did the bear box storage (which was very convenient).
Bathrooms were also very clean and appeared to be evenly spaced out throughout the campgrounds.
We stayed in A-09 which is the second loop from the front. There was some highway noise at night, nothing annoying, but when we come back I’ll reserve a spot further back.

James C

Verified

November 10, 2024 Stayed at: D-03, Loop: DLOO

5

Making the reservation was simple and fast. The Ponderosa Campground was clean and well kept. The campsite I picked was very large with plenty of flat area with a nice sturdy aluminum picnic bench., and a fire ring. The bathrooms were clean and stocked with toilet paper daily. And, there was also a dumpster near my site to toss the trash in. It’s only a 20 min drive to town if you need supplies. Two thumbs up!

Nancy R

Verified

October 30, 2024 Stayed at: C-05, Loop: CLOO

1

We did not stay at Ponderosa because we had problems with our motorhome. Tried to cancel online but the process was so complicated we gave up.

Nancy R

Verified

October 30, 2024 Stayed at: C-05, Loop: CLOO

1

We did not stay at Ponderosa because we had problems with our motorhome. Tried to cancel online but the process was so complicated we gave up.

Rob J

Verified

October 21, 2024 Stayed at: A-18, Loop: ALOO

5

Beautiful campsite. A little close to the freeway in the A loop with the highway close by.

Benjamin B

Verified

October 21, 2024 Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO

5

Site had a good distance away from others and very walkable to the bathrooms. Heavily treed, nice table and fire pit. Third time here and we’ll be back next year!

Rob J

Verified

October 21, 2024 Stayed at: A-18, Loop: ALOO

5

Beautiful campsite. A little close to the freeway in the A loop with the highway close by.

Benjamin B

Verified

October 21, 2024 Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO

5

Site had a good distance away from others and very walkable to the bathrooms. Heavily treed, nice table and fire pit. Third time here and we’ll be back next year!

Location Ponderosa (AZ)

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

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 34.2989 / -111.114

Elevation: 1730 feet

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: June 5, 2026

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