Ponderosa (AZ)
PONDEROSA (AZ)
Part of Tonto National Forest
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.
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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby town of Payson, Arizona, offers restaurants, shopping and other conveniences.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 474-7900.Important Notices
Extra (second) vehicle charge of $8 per night is required. An RV towing a car counts as one vehicle and a vehicle pulling a trailer counts as one vehicle. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine. Maximum of 2 vehicles per campsite.
- There are no electricity, water or sewer site hookups.
First-come, first-served sites are available. Payment is done with onsite fee machine.
No firewood sales available at campground. Plan to purchase ahead of time.
No Dump or Fill Station Services.
For First-Come, First-Served sites, you must physically arrive at the campground to see if the campsite is available. There is no guarantee this site will be available to purchase upon your arrival.
Check in time is 2:00pm and check out time is 11:00am. Quiet Hours are from 10:00pm to 6:00am.
Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest Land.
Maximum stay limit is 14 days within 30 consecutive days on the Tonto National Forest including dispersed sites.
Available Activities
- FISH HATCHERY - Fish Hatchery
- HORSEBACK RIDING - Horseback Riding
- HIKING - Hiking
- FISHING - Fishing
- CAMPING - Camping
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.
Contact Information
1009 East Highway 260PAYSON, AZ 85541
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site A-21, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-02, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-08, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-03, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A15, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-02, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site GR-E, Loop ELOO, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site C-04, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-03, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-10, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-07, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-22, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-06, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-04, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-02, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-07, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-18, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-11, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-08, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-20, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A13, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-06, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-16, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-03, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-07, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-10, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-11, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site GR-F, Loop FLOO, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site C-01, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-09, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-01, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A12, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A17, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-06, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-08, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-23, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-14, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-09, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-07, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-19, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-05, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-04, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-01, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-04, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-03, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B-05, Loop BLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A-10, Loop ALOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-05, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C-06, Loop CLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-05, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D-11, Loop DLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
