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
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Renea M
VerifiedJune 21, 2021 • Stayed at: D-04, Loop: DLOO
Very well maintained property! The camp host Beth is friendly and knowledgeable. She checks in and informs campers of anything that may affect them. We had a lovely time!!!will definitely be back!
Nicole S
VerifiedJune 19, 2021 • Stayed at: D-10, Loop: DLOO
Beth is incredibly friendly and helpful. She runs our favorite campground in Arizona!
Nicole S
VerifiedJune 19, 2021 • Stayed at: D-10, Loop: DLOO
Beth is incredibly friendly and helpful. She runs our favorite campground in Arizona!
Kristin R
VerifiedJune 17, 2021 • Stayed at: B-04, Loop: BLOO
Second time camping and this was the best spot. Looked at other campgrounds in the area and the trees weren't as tall and the sites were really close together. These were spaced apart nicely and there was lots of shade. The bathrooms were cleaned early every morning and easy to get to from any site. Beth and Bailey( Her dog) are awesome hosts! She was very helpful to us newbies and gave us lots of good information. The other campers were very respectful. When you can have campfires they sell wood right there makes it easy so you can pack other things in the car. I can't wait to go back.
Kristin R
VerifiedJune 17, 2021 • Stayed at: B-04, Loop: BLOO
Second time camping and this was the best spot. Looked at other campgrounds in the area and the trees weren't as tall and the sites were really close together. These were spaced apart nicely and there was lots of shade. The bathrooms were cleaned early every morning and easy to get to from any site. Beth and Bailey( Her dog) are awesome hosts! She was very helpful to us newbies and gave us lots of good information. The other campers were very respectful. When you can have campfires they sell wood right there makes it easy so you can pack other things in the car. I can't wait to go back.
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 ft 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 ft 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.
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.
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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Explore Payson, AZ
Population: 16,622
Elevation: 4,961 ft
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