Ponderosa Campground (CO)
Campground · 29 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Gunnison National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 29
- Bookable sites
- up to 8
- People per site
- 7,852 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Ponderosa Campground is located at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir at 7880 feet (2402 m). The campground offers outstanding views and solitude.
Note: During dry conditions, the first 7 miles (11 km) of Soap Creek Road are passable to trailers and RVs. Rain can make the Soap Creek Road impassable.
Facilities
Trash/recycling collection provided. Vault toilets only. Horse Corral in upper loop.
The facts
- 29 bookable sites
- 30 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: Lower, Middle, Scan and Pay, Upper
Site types
- 29 Standard Nonelectric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade.
30 campsites at Ponderosa Campground (CO)
Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Lower | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 25 | Lower | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 26 | Lower | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 27 | Lower | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 28 | Lower | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 29 | Lower | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 10 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | — | — | — | |
| 11 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 12 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 13 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 14 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 15 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 16 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| 17 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 18 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 19 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 20 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 21 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 22 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 23 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 8 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 9 | Middle | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| Scan and Pay Ponderosa Campground (CO) | Scan and Pay | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 1 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 2 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 3 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 4 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 5 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 6 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — | |
| 7 | Upper | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | — |
Getting there
From U.S. Highway 50, turn onto CO Highway 92. In less than 1 mile (1.6 km) you will cross over the Blue Mesa Dam. Approximately one half (.5) mile after crossing the dam, turn right on Soap Creek Road (a gravel road also known as County Road 721 and/or Blue Mesa Drive). Proceed 7 miles (18 km) north on Soap Creek Road to reach the campground.
38.52571, -107.31490 · 38°31'32.5"N 107°18'53.6"W
Typical weather
Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 26°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 26 | 31 | 44 | 56 | 66 | 77 | 83 | 80 | 73 | 60 | 44 | 29 |
| Low °F | -1 | 3 | 15 | 24 | 32 | 39 | 46 | 45 | 37 | 27 | 16 | 3 |
| Precip in | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
All campsites at Ponderosa are first-come, first-served. You will pay upon arrival using the Recreation.gov mobile app (download the app before your visit), or by cash, check or credit card using the self-pay envelope on-site.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Ponderosa Campground (CO)
- Can you reserve a site at Ponderosa Campground (CO)?
- Yes, Ponderosa Campground (CO) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Ponderosa Campground (CO) have?
- 30 sites in total, of which 29 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Ponderosa Campground (CO)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Ponderosa Campground (CO).
- Does Ponderosa Campground (CO) have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Ponderosa Campground (CO)?
- Campfires are allowed at Ponderosa Campground (CO). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Ponderosa Campground (CO)
- Soap Creek 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Fork Campground 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Red Creek Group Site 4.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Tours 5.7 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- East Elk Creek Group Campsite 8.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Elk Creek Campground 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Stevens Creek Campground 12 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cimarron Campground (CO) 14.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dry Gulch Campground 7.4 mi · Facility
- Gateview Campground 10.5 mi · Facility
- Cimarron Campground 14.2 mi · Campground
- Red Bridge Campground 14.9 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 970-641-2337
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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