Ponderosa Campground, Payson, AZ

Ponderosa Campground is located in the Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest (1 hr 56 min northeast of Scottsdale, AZ) with an elevation of 5,677 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $22.00 to $100.00. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.

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34.29648, -111.11453
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(877) 444-6777 (Information)
(877) 444-6777 (Reservations)
$22 - $100

Campsite Reviews (156)

4.4 out of 5

5 star		71%
4 star		13%
3 star		6%
2 star		4%
1 star		5%

@JamesC5011896 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #D3

Making the reservation was simple and fast. The Ponderosa Campground was clean and well kept. The campsite I picked was very large with plenty of flat area with a nice sturdy aluminum picnic bench., and a fire ring. The bathrooms were clean and stocked with toilet paper daily. And, there was also a dumpster near my site to toss the trash in. Its only a 20 min drive to town if you need supplies. Two thumbs up!

@ChrisM9524349 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #A9

Highly recommend! When we arrived, the signs made it easy to find our spot, which was already tagged with our name on the post. The campsite was very clean. The picnic bench looked practically brand new, as did the bear box storage (which was very convenient). Bathrooms were also very clean and appeared to be evenly spaced out throughout the campgrounds. We stayed in A-09 which is the second loop from the front. There was some highway noise at night, nothing annoying, but when we come back Ill reserve a spot further back.

@JosephB8DF2552 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #GRE

Group Site EThis is our second time at Ponderosa Campgrounds and our first time at Group Site E. Absolutely loved the site. We were a group of 5 families. Each family had their own mini site with tent area and the center loop/main gathering area worked perfect for our group. The kids had a blast running, playing and exploring. Great time!We all agreed that we will come back.

@NancyR3491744 · Camped on Oct 22, 2024 at Campsite #C5

We did not stay at Ponderosa because we had problems with our motorhome. Tried to cancel online but the process was so complicated we gave up.

@RobJC210D7BF9E · Camped on Oct 11, 2024 at Campsite #A18

Beautiful campsite. A little close to the freeway in the A loop with the highway close by.

@BenjaminB63849 · Camped on Oct 11, 2024 at Campsite #D8

Site had a good distance away from others and very walkable to the bathrooms. Heavily treed, nice table and fire pit. Third time here and well be back next year!

@TammyL1493900 · Camped on Oct 4, 2024 at Campsite #A19

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.

@HeatherR735151 · Camped on Sep 27, 2024 at Campsite #D2

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.

@TommieLD9E6B38 · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #D8

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.

@EvaBC6F6B83E5D · Camped on Aug 9, 2024 at Campsite #A11

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

@RobertP6375002 · Camped on Jul 17, 2024 at Campsite #C5

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

@DeneseS99F7321 · Camped on Jul 12, 2024 at Campsite #A10

We stayed at A10 and A11. Very good spot, close to the bathrooms. There was some noise from the freeway, but honestly not enough to Notice. Ive stayed at Ponderosa many times and any of the spots are pretty good! The camp hosts are very nice! Highly recommend

@AndresJ77BD482 · Camped on Jul 12, 2024 at Campsite #D7

Great service and easy to find spot. Campground is pretty big with water and restrooms.

@TomF2764999 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #A5

Ponderosa is an amazing campground. Unfortunately the government is trying to destroy it's beauty by cutting down a vast majority of the trees there. I agree with thinning forests to reduce the risk of wild fires, but the number of trees marked for removal is horrific. Please, stop this terrible plan.

@LisaK7683911 · Camped on Jun 20, 2024 at Campsite #C1

I liked our spot. It was pretty easy to back in. The area was clean and litter free. Initially, the bathroom was clean, but by Saturday night, we were out of toilet paper.

@LindyH8ADD55A9 · Camped on Jun 18, 2024 at Campsite #C7

The campsites are very roomy. During the week it was fairly empty and on the weekend totally full but you still felt somewhat secluded as the campsites are not right on top of you. I think loops C & D have the best spots. If you have an RV, the Dump Station is permanently closed as are the showers and Dumo Station at Houston Mesa. Payson RV & Campground has nice showers for $15 a person and unlimited time.

@GeneL7860890 · Camped on Jun 10, 2024 at Campsite #C4

Nice campground but maintenance is lacking recently.

@KatieM6062957 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #A10

It's a very beautiful campground. Host could have been more helpful when we pulled up and had no idea where to go. They didn't even care we were there.

@PHILH4828526 · Camped on May 31, 2024 at Campsite #A20

Very clean and comfortable. Enjoyed being up in the woods.

@MaryN2166538 · Camped on May 28, 2024 at Campsite #A6

Our site A7 was perfect for our group pot luck.

@TomS3186246 · Camped on May 19, 2024 at Campsite #GRE

The camp hoster were very friendly and helpful. They did a great job of maintaining the toilets and communicating with campers.

@DanaP4397063 · Camped on May 17, 2024 at Campsite #GRF

Group site was very nice at the end of the loop. Host drove through but didnt stop. Lots of birds and squirrels around.

@CynthiaA11A2CC · Camped on May 17, 2024 at Campsite #C10

The campground is very well kept. I actually had network with my Verizon service. I am definitely going back.

@TAMMYD6624967 · Camped on May 16, 2024 at Campsite #D7

One campsite had loud music all day long and right up until 10:00pm. So very disturbing and rude to other campers. We have camped at Ponderosa Pines for over 14 years and never experienced this disappointed in the past!

@Marianne3B58BF · Camped on May 3, 2024 at Campsite #C6

Beautiful settling among pines, we appreciate the very large campsites and fire rings. It's the all night long noise from 260 that makes this a 4 star vs 5 star experience.

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