About This Park
Overview
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.
Recreation
Most visitors enjoy walking along the campground’s nature trail, traveling into the town of Payson, taking advantage of the area’s hiking 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 or with the mobile app using scan & pay. 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.
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.
Quick Information
- Type: RV Resort, National Park, Overnight Parking
- Network: Federal – Other
- Price Range: $15-35
- Rating: 4.4458876 / 5
Amenities
- ✓ Electric Hookup
- ✓ Pet Friendly
- ✓ Pull-Through Sites
- ✓ Fire Pit
Contact & Location
1009 East Highway 260
PAYSON, AZ 85541
Book This Park
Basic electric hookups make this workable for most RVs, though you'll rely on shared facilities for water and waste. Mountain surroundings keep things cool in summer and provide a dramatic backdrop throughout your stay. Fire pits or grills at each site make evenings around the campfire a natural end to the day.