Ponderosa Group Campground

Open

Open seasonally from early May through late September, weather dependent. Reservation required via Recreation.gov at least 4 days in advance. The campground closed September 2, 2025 for a toilet replacement project.

Fire Weather Watch issued June 30 at 9:00PM MDT until July 2 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

9:00 PM — July 1st, 1:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has cancelled the Red Flag Warning for this evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 5 percent. * IMPACTS...High fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.

Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 9:00PM MDT until July 1 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

9:00 PM — July 1st, 1:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has cancelled the Red Flag Warning for this evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 5 percent. * IMPACTS...High fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.

Air Quality Alert issued June 30 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

4:10 PM — July 1st, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Fremont, Teller, Huerfano, Pueblo, El Paso, Lincoln, Elbert, Morgan, Washington and eastern Custer Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Canon City, Cripple Creek, Walsenburg, Beulah, Rye, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Limon, Kiowa, Fort Morgan, and Akron. WHEN...900 AM Tuesday June 30 to 900 AM Wednesday July 01 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of the Aspen Acres and Sheep Head Fires could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Wednesday 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.

About

Ponderosa Group Campground is a developed group facility within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area in south-central Colorado's San Isabel National Forest. The campground sits at 8,600 feet elevation where the shoreline of Lake Isabel meets the rocky base of the Wet Mountains, surrounded by shady ponderosa pine and aspen trees. The single group site can accommodate up to 60 overnight guests and 28 vehicles, making it well-suited for family reunions, scout troops, and other organized gatherings. The campground provides a covered picnic shelter seating 25-30 people, a group-sized charcoal grill, and eight individual campfire rings distributed throughout the site. Vault toilets with accessible features, drinking water from a hand pump, and dumpsters for trash disposal are available. A horseshoe pit and volleyball court offer on-site recreation. Lake Isabel is stocked with brown and brook trout and popular for kayaking and canoeing (no motorized boats). St. Charles Creek nearby offers additional brook trout fishing. The area provides access to motorized trails including Cisneros, St. Charles, and Snowslide trails for OHV enthusiasts, plus a scenic hiking trail along the lake shore.

Directions

From Pueblo, go 25 miles south on I-25 to exit 74. Head west 18 miles on State Highway 165. Turn into the south entrance at Lake Isabel, drive 1 mile, and follow signs to Ponderosa Group Campground.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store
Price $150

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Phone +1 (719) 269-8500

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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