Ponderosa Group Site
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens in April and operates through October. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance for group sites via Recreation.gov.
Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions
To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
Lower Salt River Area Temporary Emergency Equestrian Closure for Public Health & Safety
Click to view closure order for details.
Granite Reef Developed Recreation Site Public Health and Safety Closure Order
See order for details.
TERMINATION ORDER: Stage II Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Order
There are no fire restrictions on the Tonto National Forest as of Sept. 5, 2025, 8 a.m.
Box Bar Seasonal Eagle Closure
December 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. and will remain in effect seasonally each year from December 1 through June 30, until June 30, 2026, at 12 p.m.
About
Ponderosa Group Site sits tucked in the rolling forests of northern Arizona at 5,600 feet elevation, surrounded by towering ponderosa pine trees that release a distinctive vanilla scent. The campground is located on the border of the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile-long escarpment that serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country and the hot, dry desert below. The facility offers two group sites, each accommodating up to 25 people in clean, flat, and spacious camping areas. The large ponderosas create a relatively open understory mixed with junipers, oaks, and manzanita shrubs, providing excellent shade and a memorable camping experience. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with vault toilets and drinking water available from a hand pump. Visitors enjoy hiking the campground's nature trail, exploring nearby Rim Country Lakes about 15 minutes east (including popular Woods Canyon Lake), or simply relaxing to the sound of fluttering leaves. The nearby town of Payson offers restaurants, shopping, and other conveniences. The campground operates with a 14-day stay limit, requires pets to be leashed, and maintains quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Directions
From Payson, Arizona, go east on State Route 260 for approximately 13 miles. The campground is located on the south side of SR 260. A campground sign is visible before the campground entrance.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (928) 474-7900 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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