OutReserve

Ponderosa (AZ)

1009 East Highway 260, Payson, Arizona, United States

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)

Verified Only

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

melinda h

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: C-05, Loop: CLOO

4

Wonderful high elevation campground. Very clean & spacious sites

Jilleen H

Verified

January 17, 2020 • Stayed at: A-05, Loop: ALOO

5

Beautiful and peaceful campground in September. Our camp hosts were super accomodating when we had to change spots due to the size of our 5th wheel. Ponderosa Campground was very clean and well kept. There was not a lack for recreation, we especially enjoyed Kayaking at a "private" lake in the mountains.

Gene S

Verified

January 16, 2020 • Stayed at: A-19, Loop: ALOO

4

Great little spot, camp hosts were nice folks. Visited on a maiden voyage with a smaller teardrop RV and camp hosts gave us advice on how to use the dump station that was super helpful. Only complaint is obviously other campers. Seems generator use and quiet times are merely suggestions and not really enforced. Other than that it was a nice stay.

Gene S

Verified

January 16, 2020 • Stayed at: A-19, Loop: ALOO

4

Great little spot, camp hosts were nice folks. Visited on a maiden voyage with a smaller teardrop RV and camp hosts gave us advice on how to use the dump station that was super helpful. Only complaint is obviously other campers. Seems generator use and quiet times are merely suggestions and not really enforced. Other than that it was a nice stay.

David A

Verified

January 15, 2020 • Stayed at: D-04, Loop: DLOO

4

Love this place!

David A

Verified

January 15, 2020 • Stayed at: D-04, Loop: DLOO

4

Love this place!

Brittney L

Verified

January 11, 2020 • Stayed at: D-11, Loop: DLOO

5

Great campsite! We had a great time with the kiddos.

Brittney L

Verified

January 11, 2020 • Stayed at: D-11, Loop: DLOO

5

Great campsite! We had a great time with the kiddos.

Tami D

Verified

January 10, 2020 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO

4

Great place to go camping , very clean, camp host was very nice, our grand kids had a great time, love being in the pines , great place to relax ..

Tami D

Verified

January 10, 2020 • Stayed at: D-08, Loop: DLOO

4

Great place to go camping , very clean, camp host was very nice, our grand kids had a great time, love being in the pines , great place to relax ..

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

Map of Ponderosa (AZ) location at Payson, AZ, United States
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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.

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Nearby destinations

Payson
Luke Air Force Base
Overgaard

Last updated: June 5, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service