About Ponderosa (AZ)
Number of accommodations: 37
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
37 Sites Available
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Site Details
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37 Sites Available
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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.
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
George K
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
Nice area for camping in spring or fall but very warm towards the end of spring-not enough elevation. Campsite D8 is rated for an RV or trailer/ fifth wheel 35 feet long but trees are too close. We positioned our 5th wheel so we could open the slide but could not open the awning. We had a choice of one or the other. Also, site D8 has a tree branch that runs along the upper right side of the camper when backing in. I’ve noticed the same problem at other National Forest campgrounds that advertise they can handle camper lengths of 35 - 50 ft but low tree branches are a hazard to your camper. Even though the National Forest administrators hire tree cutting crews each spring before opening they don’t seem to notice low hanging tree branches. On the positive side the Camp Host Beth was very friendly and informed us of bear sightings during check in. She is one of the best Camp Hosts we have encountered in many years. Thank you Beth! Overall it was a good experience but maybe when the tree cutting crews do trimming in the spring they should be accompanied by a person who parks a camper in the sites so low branches can be pointed out.
George K
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
Nice area for camping in spring or fall but very warm towards the end of spring-not enough elevation. Campsite D8 is rated for an RV or trailer/ fifth wheel 35 feet long but trees are too close. We positioned our 5th wheel so we could open the slide but could not open the awning. We had a choice of one or the other. Also, site D8 has a tree branch that runs along the upper right side of the camper when backing in. I’ve noticed the same problem at other National Forest campgrounds that advertise they can handle camper lengths of 35 - 50 ft but low tree branches are a hazard to your camper. Even though the National Forest administrators hire tree cutting crews each spring before opening they don’t seem to notice low hanging tree branches. On the positive side the Camp Host Beth was very friendly and informed us of bear sightings during check in. She is one of the best Camp Hosts we have encountered in many years. Thank you Beth! Overall it was a good experience but maybe when the tree cutting crews do trimming in the spring they should be accompanied by a person who parks a camper in the sites so low branches can be pointed out.
sandra c
VerifiedJune 10, 2021 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
It is very easy to find this Campground and the site was clean and ready for us. There is plenty of space to park, walk and relax.
sandra c
VerifiedJune 10, 2021 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
It is very easy to find this Campground and the site was clean and ready for us. There is plenty of space to park, walk and relax.
Alicja B
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B-04, Loop: BLOO
Great camp!
Janyce H
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B-02, Loop: BLOO
One of the nicest dry camping spots in the area. Many pull throughs and large sites.
Alicja B
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B-04, Loop: BLOO
Great camp!
Janyce H
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B-02, Loop: BLOO
One of the nicest dry camping spots in the area. Many pull throughs and large sites.
Juan T
VerifiedJune 5, 2021 • Stayed at: C-09, Loop: CLOO
The campsite is well regulated, given the current dry conditions and extreme high fire danger. With that said, our camping experience was a bit different, but we still had a great time in the great outdoors. The amenities were exceptional and located just right from our site...Thanks again for our Family's First Camping Trip Excursion!
Anil K
VerifiedJune 5, 2021 • Stayed at: B-01, Loop: BLOO
We had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend here at the Ponderosa Campground in our 20' travel trailer. The camp host, Beth, was friendly, helpful and so very funny. She is very conscientious about her duties and keeping the park safe, clean and enjoyable for all of the campers. The bathrooms have compostable pit toilets that are very clean--no bug or odors at all. There are water spigots throughout the park in which to fill containers or even your trailer/RV fresh tank. Dump station was closed.
Although it was fire season we were permitted to have a fire in the fire pit provided it was kept from burning high.
This is a great campground for families or couples, trailers/Rvs or tents. Paved drives within the campground so you can ride your bikes, too. Very quiet and peaceful weekend.
Woods Canyon Lake is nearby as is Horton Springs.
Location Ponderosa (AZ)
Address:
1009 East Highway 260
Payson, AZ, 85541
United States
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.
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
