Ponderosa Campground
Its 49 sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, camping costs Single Site: $22 per night; Group Site: $100 per night, and it is open from April to October. Ponderosa Campground is a National Forest campground near Star Valley, Arizona.
Reservable: Recreation.gov
1 / 5Ponderosa Campground. Photo: USFS, via Recreation.gov, Public domain (US federal government work)
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Shade
- Some shade
Ponderosa Campground sits inside Tonto National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- Recreation.gov Book a site
- Fee
- Single Site: $22 per night; Group Site: $100 per night
- Booking window
- At least 3 days and up to 6 months in advance (group sites 12 months)
Sources: recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Sites and hookups
- Total sites
- 49
- Group sites
- 2
- Group site capacity
- Up to 25 people
- Accessible sites
- 1
- Site driveways
- Mixed
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Potable water
- ✓ Pets allowed
On site: Toilets, potable water, and pets allowed.
Sources: recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Campsites
51 sites in 6 loops; 16 pull-through; the longest takes a 130 ft vehicle. Every site below links to its own page on Recreation.gov, where it is booked. Official site list and booking on recreation.gov.
| Book | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-03 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-03 |
| A-04 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 70 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-04 |
| A-05 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 70 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-05 |
| A-06 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 37 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-06 |
| A-07 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 100 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-07 |
| A-08 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 30 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | Yes | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-08 |
| A-09 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-09 |
| A-10 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-10 |
| A-11 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-11 |
| A-14 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 42 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-14 |
| A-16 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-16 |
| A-18 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 130 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-18 |
| A-19 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 38 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-19 |
| A-20 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-20 |
| A-21 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-21 |
| A-22 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 20 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-22 |
| A-23 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 37 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A-23 |
| A12 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 65 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A12 |
| A13 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A13 |
| A15 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A15 |
| A17 | ALOO | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ALOO, site A17 |
| B-01 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-01 |
| B-02 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-02 |
| B-03 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-03 |
| B-04 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-04 |
| B-05 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 30 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-05 |
| B-06 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-06 |
| B-07 | BLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop BLOO, site B-07 |
| C-01 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-01 |
| C-02 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-02 |
| C-03 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-03 |
| C-04 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-04 |
| C-05 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-05 |
| C-06 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-06 |
| C-07 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-07 |
| C-08 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-08 |
| C-09 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-09 |
| C-10 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-10 |
| C-11 | CLOO | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop CLOO, site C-11 |
| D-01 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-01 |
| D-02 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-02 |
| D-03 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-03 |
| D-04 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-04 |
| D-05 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-05 |
| D-06 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 28 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-06 |
| D-07 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-07 |
| D-08 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-08 |
| D-10 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 30 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-10 |
| D-11 | DLOO | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop DLOO, site D-11 |
| GR-E | ELOO | Group standard area nonelectric | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop ELOO, site GR-E |
| GR-F | FLOO | Group standard area nonelectric | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop FLOO, site GR-F |
Data source: Recreation.gov , accessed 2026-09-29. Site details are Recreation.gov's own per-site listing and can differ from the campground-wide facts above.
Rules
- Stay limit
- 14 days
- Quiet hours
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Generators
- Allowed outside quiet hours
- Pets
- Allowed
Sources: recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Access and cell service
- Shade
- Some shade
- Elevation
- 5,600 ft
Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)
- AT&T
- 4G LTE; 5G mapped about 0.2 mi away
- T-Mobile
- 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
- Verizon
- 4G LTE
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025
Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.
34.2989, -111.1137 in Gila. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Season and winter services
Ponderosa Campground is open from April to October , at 5,600 ft.
Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Ponderosa Campground?
How much does it cost to camp at Ponderosa Campground?
How many campsites does Ponderosa Campground have?
Are there accessible (ADA) campsites at Ponderosa Campground?
Are there pull-through sites at Ponderosa Campground?
Is there drinking water at Ponderosa Campground?
Are dogs allowed at Ponderosa Campground?
When is Ponderosa Campground open?
How long can you stay at Ponderosa Campground?
Are generators allowed at Ponderosa Campground?
Is there cell service at Ponderosa Campground?
Who manages Ponderosa Campground?
Around Ponderosa Campground
C.C. Cragin Reservoir's mapped center point is 18 miles from Ponderosa Campground in a straight line. Current water level: C.C. Cragin Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.
Waterfalls nearby
Nearest to Ponderosa Campground, in straight-line miles: Waterwheel Falls (waterfall, 10 miles), and Fossil Creek Waterfall (waterfall, 29 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.
Reservable Lower Tonto Creek 
Reservable Upper Tonto Creek 
Reservable Christopher Creek Campground More campgrounds: camping near Star Valley and campgrounds in Gila.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
- recreation.gov (reservationSystem, reservationSystemName, reservationUrl, drivewayType, petsAllowed, sites.group, sites.ada, campsites), accessed 2026-09-29
- fs.usda.gov (sites, toilets, water, petsAllowed, season, stayLimit, quietHours, generatorsAllowed, shade, reservationWindow, elevationFt, fee, reservationSystem), accessed 2026-09-29
- broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
Photo credits
- Photo 1: USFS, via Recreation.gov, Public domain (US federal government work)
- Photo 2: USFS, via Recreation.gov, Public domain (US federal government work)
- Photo 3: USFS, via Recreation.gov, Public domain (US federal government work)
- Photo 4: USFS, via Recreation.gov, Public domain (US federal government work)
- Photo 5: USFS, via Recreation.gov, Public domain (US federal government work)