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
Kip T
VerifiedMay 24, 2021 • Stayed at: A-20, Loop: ALOO
The campground facilities are clean and well maintained. The Hosts were phenomenal. You could always see them moving about the campgrounds taking care of the sites and educating and interacting with the campers. It was clear that they placed the campers experience as their top priority. They were diligent in being sure that campers were educated, comfortable, safe and that the sites and restrooms were clean and ready. They were quick to anticipate and respond to any circumstances that may impact our stay.
Ponderosa campground has been one of my favorites for decades. With the current Host's it will be my number one choice in the future.
Thank You Host's and we hope to see you again this season.
Leslie B
VerifiedMay 23, 2021 • Stayed at: D-01, Loop: DLOO
Beth was our campground host and was excellent. She maintained the campground impeccably all by herself. The bathrooms were always clean and stocked. Our campsite was beautiful and well maintained. We've been to Ponderosa before but it had been a few years. Always happy to see that the campground looks just as pretty as the pictures. Lots of trees and well spaced out.
Leslie B
VerifiedMay 23, 2021 • Stayed at: D-01, Loop: DLOO
Beth was our campground host and was excellent. She maintained the campground impeccably all by herself. The bathrooms were always clean and stocked. Our campsite was beautiful and well maintained. We've been to Ponderosa before but it had been a few years. Always happy to see that the campground looks just as pretty as the pictures. Lots of trees and well spaced out.
Jamie B
VerifiedMay 21, 2021 • Stayed at: A-18, Loop: ALOO
A+. This is a beautiful campground! Well maintained and good distance between campers. Beth, the camp host, is amazing! This was my first time on my own with two toddlers and she was so kind and helpful! Really helps a vacation having people like her around!
Jamie B
VerifiedMay 21, 2021 • Stayed at: A-18, Loop: ALOO
A+. This is a beautiful campground! Well maintained and good distance between campers. Beth, the camp host, is amazing! This was my first time on my own with two toddlers and she was so kind and helpful! Really helps a vacation having people like her around!
Matthew B
VerifiedMay 19, 2021 • Stayed at: GR-E, Loop: ELOO
We stayed in the group site and it was perfect for our group of multiple families. We had plenty of space, the site was clean, and the bathrooms and water were close-by. Our neighbors were quiet and respectful. Ponderosa is easy to get to from the Phoenix area and Payson is a quick 20-minute drive in case you forget anything. We'll definitely be back.
Cathy C
VerifiedMay 19, 2021 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
One of the largest campgrounds below the Mogollon Rim with lots of room for bigger rigs. We had a problem with a nearby, inexperienced pair of campers - lots of noise and large, smoking fires. Our camp host, Beth, took care of the problem with diplomacy and strong guidance.
Matthew B
VerifiedMay 19, 2021 • Stayed at: GR-E, Loop: ELOO
We stayed in the group site and it was perfect for our group of multiple families. We had plenty of space, the site was clean, and the bathrooms and water were close-by. Our neighbors were quiet and respectful. Ponderosa is easy to get to from the Phoenix area and Payson is a quick 20-minute drive in case you forget anything. We'll definitely be back.
Cathy C
VerifiedMay 19, 2021 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO
One of the largest campgrounds below the Mogollon Rim with lots of room for bigger rigs. We had a problem with a nearby, inexperienced pair of campers - lots of noise and large, smoking fires. Our camp host, Beth, took care of the problem with diplomacy and strong guidance.
Phyllis Z
VerifiedMay 17, 2021 • Stayed at: C-09, Loop: CLOO
The campground was great, super quiet with nice, spacious campsites. Vault toilet bathrooms are available and very clean. Beth, the camp host was amazing!!! We had some camper trouble and we didn't know how we were going to get it back home. She called someone, they came out right away, and we were good to go. Her help took the stress off and allowed us to have a great weekend. We took lovely walks around the campground and just enjoyed our site. We definitely plan on going back!
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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