Ponderosa Campground
Campground · 23 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Fort Hunter Liggett · Closed to Public Access
- 23
- Bookable sites
- 40 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 2,067 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Ponderosa Campground offers visitors a beautiful location to relax and enjoy nature. It runs along the Nacimiento River, which provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Swimming, fishing and wading are all enjoyed by visitors, as well as hiking and backpacking on any of the surrounding mountain trails.Recreation
The Nacimiento River provides opportunities for trout fishing and wading, as well as swimming in any of the swimming holes along its course. A variety of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails can be accessed within a short drive from the campground. The trails offer scenic views of waterfalls, massive redwood groves, meadows and mountain streams.Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Utility hookups are not available and the parking surfaces are paved. A maximum of two vehicles is allowed for each site. Additional vehicles are not allowed in the campground.Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Trash collection bins are available throughout the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is situated next to the river and has a scattered canopy of ponderosa pine, oak, madrone and sycamore trees, which provide ample shade in most campsites. It is located in the Los Padres National Forest in the mountains of Big Sur at an elevation of 1,500 feet. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.Nearby Attractions
Mission San Antonio is a short drive east of the campground. Located in the Fort Hunter Liggett Military Base, the mission is one of the oldest in California. A museum, original aqueducts and a Native American cemetery are found here.The San Antonio Reservoir Recreation Area is located about 32 miles southwest of the campground. Boating, fishing, swimming and guided tours are available.
The facts
- 23 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 40 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND
Site types
- 23 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
23 campsites at Ponderosa Campground
Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 33 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 33 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 27 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 27 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 26 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 15 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 15 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
Campground is only available to access via the 101 side, the Highway 1/ Nacimiento Road Access is CLOSED.
From Monterey, Take highway 68 to the 101. Accessible through Highway 101 exit Jolon Road.
From Los Angeles/South take highway 101 to the Jolon Road exit, follow until campground.
36.00500, -121.37639 · 36°0'18.0"N 121°22'35.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.2 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Ponderosa Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Ponderosa Campground?
- Yes, Ponderosa Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Ponderosa Campground have?
- 23 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Ponderosa Campground?
- 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Ponderosa Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Ponderosa Campground.
Camping near Ponderosa Campground
- Kirk Creek Campground 6.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Plaskett Creek Campground 7.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Memorial Campground 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Escondido Campground 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Arroyo Seco 17.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- China Camp Campground 22.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Piedras Blancas Light Station 24 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Ponderosa Campground 0.7 mi · Campground
- Nacimiento Campground 1.4 mi · Campground
- Silver Peak Wilderness 13.2 mi · Facility
- Arroyo Seco Group Campground 16.8 mi · Campground
- Arroyo Seco Trailhead 17 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 805-434-1996
- Email parksman@fix.net
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-04.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments