Ponderosa (Az)

1009 East Highway 260
PAYSON, AZ 85541

Overview

Named for the towering pines under which it sits, Ponderosa Campground is tucked in the rolling forests of northern Arizona. As one of the 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.

While this campground did undergo a timber sale a few years ago it still has many ponderosa trees that will be stronger and healthier for future generations to enjoy.

Recreation

Take advantage of the area's hiking/biking trails and lakes or simply relaxing at the campsite. Scenic driving and outdoor recreation abound in the surrounding Tonto National Forest. A series of lakes called the Rim Country Lakes are about a 15 minute drive east. Woods Canyon Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state and offers options for boating.

Facilities

The facility provides 48 single campsites and two group sites that can accommodate up to 25 people guests each. The campsites are clean, flat and spacious with a good amount of shade from pine trees.

In addition, first-come, first-serve sites are available with payment completed using the on-site fee machine. No cash is accepted.

Check-In is 2:00 pm

Check-Out is 11:00 am

Natural Features

The ponderosa pine trees make this a memorable campground. Larger ponderosas release a vanilla scent into the air and have a relatively open understory, making the area perfect for camping. Mixed into the understory are junipers, oaks and manzanita shrubs.

The campground sits on the border of the Mogollon Rim, pronounced by locals as "muggy-own," a 200-mile-long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. The unique landscape was created by extreme erosion and faulting that has sculpted spectacular canyons and buttes. The rim serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby town of Payson, Arizona, offers restaurants, shopping and other conveniences.

Camp site features

Across 51 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 51 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 51 sites
Group sites: 2 of 51 sites
Longest RV: 130 ft
Largest party: 25 people
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

288 reviews

5 stars

194

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

David S

Loop:Dloo

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

The host was very nice and very helpful. Campground was peaceful, being a weekday in late October, but minor highway noise. I've been coming to Ponderosa for many years and this was the nicest experience.

Roger V

Loop:Aloo

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

The campsite A19 was very messy from the storms and I cleaned it up but the camp host should’ve cleaned it up before we got there! Also, we only saw the camp host once and that was after the toilet paper was gone from the bathroom! There was also safety issues with the campsite. There was a rod sticking up and bent over into a loop that somebody could’ve tripped over and I pulled that out and also there’s a 3 inch tall stump by the parking spot that needs cut off so no one trips on it loading or unloading their vehicles! Also the edge of the parking spot needs paved/beveled with asphalt to prevent somebody from falling off it or tripping over it getting to their vehicle! Also, the US 260 is too close to the campsite so it is very noisy from all the traffic throughout the day and night! In the future, I’m gonna get a campsite back in the D section so there is not so much noise!

Josh H

Loop:Aloo

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Campsite was clean, we'll maintained and easy to find

Zachary H

Loop:Dloo

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

Awesome

Carrie C

Loop:Floo

Site:

Reviewed 24 days ago

The sites were easy to find and had useful toilets, bear cabinets, fire pits, picnic tables, and grills. We had a great time and will return again.

LINDA F

Loop:Dloo

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

This campground is well maintained and the sites are separated so well you barely notice neighbors, if you could add a shower house that would be nice.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve