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Sunset view from Ponderosa Campground

Ponderosa Campground

Open

Open for first-come, first-served camping. No potable water available; bring all water needed. Soap Creek Road access can become impassable after rain. No watercraft inspections at the Ponderosa boat ramp; hand-launched craft only.

Air Quality Alert issued July 6 at 1:10PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

1:10 PM — July 7th, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Delta, Montrose, San Miguel, Dolores, Ouray, Montezuma, La Plata, San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache, Gunnison, Chaffee, Lake, Summit, Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, Park and Mesa Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Delta, Montrose, Nucla, Telluride, Dove Creek, Ouray, Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Silverton, Lake City, Creede, Saguache, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Leadville, Breckenridge, Westcliffe, Pueblo, Canon City, Fairplay and Grand Junction. WHEN...900 AM Monday July 06 to 900 AM Tuesday July 07 IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from several wildfires in Colorado and Utah will be possible within the advisory area through at least Tuesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Air Quality Alert issued July 6 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

9:10 AM — July 7th, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Delta, Montrose, San Miguel, Dolores, Ouray, Montezuma, La Plata, San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache, Gunnison, Chaffee, Lake, Summit, Custer, Pueblo, Fremont and Park Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Delta, Montrose, Nucla, Telluride, Dove Creek, Ouray, Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Silverton, Lake City, Creede, Saguache, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Leadville, Breckenridge, Westcliffe, Pueblo, Canon City and Fairplay. WHEN...900 AM Monday July 06 to 900 AM Tuesday July 07 IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from several wildfires in Colorado and Utah will be possible within the advisory area through at least Tuesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

From Recreation.gov

Please bring all the water you'll need for your visit, including drinking water.

About

Ponderosa Campground occupies a scenic, secluded location at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area. At 7,880 feet elevation, the campground provides outstanding panoramic views and a quieter alternative to the more accessible campgrounds along Highway 50. The upper loop includes a horse corral for equestrian campers. Reaching Ponderosa requires a 7-mile drive on Soap Creek Road (County Road 721), a gravel road that is passable for trailers and medium-sized RVs in dry conditions but can become impassable after rain. Hand-launched watercraft can access the reservoir from the Ponderosa boat ramp; no watercraft inspections are available at this location, so motorized boats requiring inspection must launch elsewhere. All 28 sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Amenities include vault toilets, trash and recycling collection, fire grates, and food storage lockers, all operating seasonally. There is no potable water; campers must bring all water they need. Maximum group size is 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.

Directions

From US Highway 50, turn onto CO Highway 92. Cross Blue Mesa Dam, then approximately 0.5 mile after the dam, turn right onto Soap Creek Road (County Road 721/Blue Mesa Drive). Proceed 7 miles north on the gravel road to reach the campground.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $20

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (970) 641-2337

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Sunset view from Ponderosa Campground
An amazing view from Ponderosa Campground
Deer at Curecanti
Sunset View from Ponderosa Campground

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