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
Heather R
VerifiedOctober 18, 2024 • Stayed at: D-02, Loop: DLOO
We had an enjoyable time. The host was very pleasant. Our site was nice, however towards the last evening and morning, there were a bunch of bees that appeared. 3 different people in our group were stung. 1 person was stung 3 times. We made sure to toss our garbage nightly, wipe down all our tables after each meal, etc. and still had this bee issue. However this didn't occur until the park cleared out from the weekend. The site on the other side of the hill also stated they had issues with bees all of a sudden. On another note, we are disappointed to hear that SEVERAL/Majority of their trees are marked to be cut down. In the site we stayed at it was pretty much ALL of them. Its disappointing as we already had to chase down the shade as it moved throughout the day. (The weekend we went it was pushing almost 100). To see the trees they planned to cut practically leaves ZERO shade in our site. The host informed us that it was suppose to happen in November, I believe. She mentioned contacting the right group to register a complaint and attempt to stop this from happening. Hearing that all these trees are to be cut, we will probably never reserve/stay at this location again, as there will be practically no trees left and no shade. The crazy thing is, there did not appear to be any reserved sites available that upcoming weekend. I am going to guess the cutting down of the trees will effect the future booking total for this campground, which is really sad.
Heather R
VerifiedOctober 18, 2024 • Stayed at: D-02, Loop: DLOO
We had an enjoyable time. The host was very pleasant. Our site was nice, however towards the last evening and morning, there were a bunch of bees that appeared. 3 different people in our group were stung. 1 person was stung 3 times. We made sure to toss our garbage nightly, wipe down all our tables after each meal, etc. and still had this bee issue. However this didn't occur until the park cleared out from the weekend. The site on the other side of the hill also stated they had issues with bees all of a sudden. On another note, we are disappointed to hear that SEVERAL/Majority of their trees are marked to be cut down. In the site we stayed at it was pretty much ALL of them. Its disappointing as we already had to chase down the shade as it moved throughout the day. (The weekend we went it was pushing almost 100). To see the trees they planned to cut practically leaves ZERO shade in our site. The host informed us that it was suppose to happen in November, I believe. She mentioned contacting the right group to register a complaint and attempt to stop this from happening. Hearing that all these trees are to be cut, we will probably never reserve/stay at this location again, as there will be practically no trees left and no shade. The crazy thing is, there did not appear to be any reserved sites available that upcoming weekend. I am going to guess the cutting down of the trees will effect the future booking total for this campground, which is really sad.
Tammy L
VerifiedOctober 6, 2024 • Stayed at: A-19, Loop: ALOO
We stayed the first weekend in October and all the sites were so over grown, pine cones and pine needles everywhere. All the bathrooms were nasty i mean id rather chance a tick on my butt by going in the woods then the poop covered fly invested no TP bathrooms.
Tammy L
VerifiedOctober 6, 2024 • Stayed at: A-19, Loop: ALOO
We stayed the first weekend in October and all the sites were so over grown, pine cones and pine needles everywhere. All the bathrooms were nasty i mean id rather chance a tick on my butt by going in the woods then the poop covered fly invested no TP bathrooms.
Tommie L
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2024 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
Ponderosa Campground has been a favorite spot for years. It is maintained with great amenities. I also like that it is fairly close to Star Valley / Payson.
Tommie L
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2024 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
Ponderosa Campground has been a favorite spot for years. It is maintained with great amenities. I also like that it is fairly close to Star Valley / Payson.
Eva B
VerifiedAugust 12, 2024 • Stayed at: A-11, Loop: ALOO
So we booked site A-11 because it said this location would allow a 21 ft trailer. Unfortunately site provided no pictures of actual pad. After 4 hour drive and arrival we find the site will not fit a trailer. We were forced to abandon reservation. With no cell service in this area, we couldn't cancel reservation either. This campsite is in very poor condition
Eva B
VerifiedAugust 12, 2024 • Stayed at: A-11, Loop: ALOO
So we booked site A-11 because it said this location would allow a 21 ft trailer. Unfortunately site provided no pictures of actual pad. After 4 hour drive and arrival we find the site will not fit a trailer. We were forced to abandon reservation. With no cell service in this area, we couldn't cancel reservation either. This campsite is in very poor condition
Robert P
VerifiedJuly 26, 2024 • Stayed at: C-05, Loop: CLOO
Site next to us partied until 2:00 am just outside our bedroom
Drinking kids screaming and loud voices
Several tents and people over the limit of the site
They did not follow the quiet times or check in and out times
No one checked out the sites from the park for noise or issues
Robert P
VerifiedJuly 26, 2024 • Stayed at: C-05, Loop: CLOO
Site next to us partied until 2:00 am just outside our bedroom
Drinking kids screaming and loud voices
Several tents and people over the limit of the site
They did not follow the quiet times or check in and out times
No one checked out the sites from the park for noise or issues
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 13, 2026
