Ponderosa Campground and Group Sites
Ponderosa pine trees surround and tower over open-space campgrounds, providing cool shade and gorgeous vistas. Most visitors enjoy taking advantage of the area’s hiking trails and lakes, traveling to Payson for the day or simply relaxing at the campsite to the sound of fluttering leaves. Review At-A-Glance below for more details about the site.
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: Most visitors enjoy 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 47 single campsites and two group sites that can accommodate up to 25 people each. The campsites are clean, flat and spacious with a good amount of shade from pine trees.
Nearby Attractions: The nearby town of Payson, Arizona, offers restaurants, shopping and other conveniences.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereReservations can be made by visiting Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for the standard sites or 12 months in advance for the group sites.
General Information
- 14-day stay limit.
- No OHV recreational riding within the campground.
- Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a leash.
- Please use trash receptacles or pack it in, pack it out.
- All campgrounds have posted Rules & Regulations at entrance kiosks. Please read and observe all rules.
- Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
Open Season: April - October
Check in: 2:00 p.m.; Check-out: 12:00 p.m.; Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
The links below provide additional information on pricing and purchasing information.
- Tonto Fee Machine Pass for Camping passes. Fee Machine located in each Campground area. Debit or Credit only.
- Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY.
- *The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.*
- *Sites may be reservable and reservation fees apply.*
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $22 per night
Group Site: $100 per night
Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541
Phone: (928) 474-7900
Hours: Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.) Passes, permits and products not sold after 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 34.298858
Longitude: -111.113656
Elevation
5,600 Feet
Directions
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
34.29885800, -111.11365600
34°17'56"N, 111°6'51"W
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.
Parking
Second vehicle charge of $8 per night is required if applicable. Fee can be bundled with online reservation or purchased on-site at fee machine.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
