CampgroundsDB

Ponderosa Group

Its sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, camping costs Group Site: $100 per night, and it is open from April to October. Ponderosa Group is a National Forest campground near Star Valley, Arizona.

Reservable: Recreation.gov

National Forest · Star Valley, Arizona

Managed by
National Forest

Ponderosa Group 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
Fee
Group Site: $100 per night
Booking window
3 days ahead of arrival, up to 12 months in advance for group sites

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Group sites
2
Group site capacity
Up to 25 people
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Potable water
  • ✓ Pets allowed

On site: Toilets, potable water, and pets allowed.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
14 days
Quiet hours
10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Generators
Allowed outside quiet hours
Pets
Allowed

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
5,600 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE; 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
T-Mobile
4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
Verizon
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.1 mi away
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.

34.2945, -111.1132 in Gila. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Season and winter services

Ponderosa Group is open from April to October , at 5,600 ft.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Ponderosa Group?
Sites at Ponderosa Group are reserved through Recreation.gov. Booking window: 3 days ahead of arrival, up to 12 months in advance for group sites.
How much does it cost to camp at Ponderosa Group?
Camping at Ponderosa Group costs Group Site: $100 per night.
How many campsites does Ponderosa Group have?
Ponderosa Group has 2 group sites.
Is there drinking water at Ponderosa Group?
Yes, Ponderosa Group has potable water. It also has toilets.
Are dogs allowed at Ponderosa Group?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ponderosa Group.
When is Ponderosa Group open?
Ponderosa Group is open from April to October.
How long can you stay at Ponderosa Group?
The stay limit at Ponderosa Group is 14 days.
Are generators allowed at Ponderosa Group?
Yes, outside quiet hours (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).
Is there cell service at Ponderosa Group?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T and T-Mobile and 5G from T-Mobile at Ponderosa Group. It shows none at Ponderosa Group from Verizon, though Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.1 mi away. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Ponderosa Group?
Ponderosa Group is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Ponderosa Group

reservoirfinder.com · 18 miles

C.C. Cragin Reservoir's mapped center point is 18 miles from Ponderosa Group in a straight line. Current water level: C.C. Cragin Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.

Waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Ponderosa Group, in straight-line miles: Waterwheel Falls (waterfall, 11 miles), and Fossil Creek Waterfall (waterfall, 29 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Ponderosa Campground Star Valley · National Forest Season April to October Fee Single Site: $22 per night; Group Site: $100 per night Reservable Lower Tonto Creek Star Valley · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $20 per night Reservable Upper Tonto Creek Star Valley · National Forest Season May to October Fee Single Site: $20 per night Reservable Christopher Creek Campground Star Valley · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Overnight Use:

More campgrounds: camping near Star Valley and campgrounds in Gila.

Sources

Reservable: Recreation.gov Group Site: $100 per night
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