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Established Camping

Ponderosa Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Ponderosa Campground is located in Los Padres National Forest, featuring forested terrain with a mix of trees and open spaces. Temperatures in the area can reach highs of around 85°F and drop to lows near 40°F. Nearby attractions include the scenic Big Sur coastline and the hiking trails of Ventana Wilderness.

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Location

Ponderosa Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

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.

Coordinates

36.005 N
121.3763889 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 28, 2025

Nice quiet spot in early spring

We camped here February 24-26, 2025. The forest service website indicated the campground is open all year, but when we arrived on the site one through four were available. Beyond site number five was a locked gate. Site five was closed due to “hazardous tree“. The stream was running plentifully and gave a lovely background noise. Sites 1 & 2 share a parking pad which is almost level. Site 1 is completely exposed and quite spacious and full of ground squirrel disruption. Site 2 is very convenient to the parked car, and it was our choice because we sleep in our van. Most of the water taps were not operable but the one by the toilet near the entrance did work and was labeled “non-potable, not for drinking or cooking”. The tap in site number 2 had no handle and was dripping at a rapid pace so we hung a bucket on that tap and use the collected water for handwashing. There were trash cans conveniently located to all of the sites, and there was a good supply of toilet paper, but even though the weather was cool, the toilet closest to the entrance was a bit smelly. It is a pit stop for people driving over or back on Naciemiento-Ferguson Road. I noted that reviewers indicated that they were plagued by flies and yellow jackets in the mid summer, but we had only a couple of flies, no yellow jackets. The weather was predicted to be sunny and pleasant with highs of 70° based on checking the weather reports for Jolon, California. It was almost a new moon and the stars at night we’re gorgeous. There was heavy dew which turned into frost in the early morning. We saw the occasional lizard and a couple of slow moving salamanders. We saw no raccoons, and considering that they have switched from having dumpsters to having trash cans I suspect that raccoons are not a problem. There was a posted memo dated February 2 reported that for the Monterey Ranger district, campfire restrictions were lifted until March 25, due to sufficient rain having been received. We walked the loop of the other campsites; some of them have the picnic table and fire ring located some distance from the parking spot, a few are possibly suitable for RV camping but most of those would require at least some leveling. I don’t know when they plan to open the rest of the sites, but probably March would be a good time to come and enjoy this campground. Bring your own drinking water. The fee is expensive for a no-water campground, but I was willing to pay the discounted price with my lifetime senior pass.

Site2
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by E , February 28, 2025
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by E , February 28, 2025
  • slow moving, maybe because it was so cold?
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  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2018

California gen!

Upon checkin we found nice quiet spot and walked to the river to skip rocks. It was really clean in the restrooms and plenty of places to grab food nearby. Kids even found a rock stump witttons of paired rocks to take ad leave. Spots are my full hookup and are 30amp.

Month of VisitOctober
  • River beach trail and rock trump
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Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Camp next to the river

Nice area. Shaded, next to a stream, lots of wildlife, hiking nearby. Did not have my prepaid reservation. Lots of mosquitoes and poison oak. Quite a few homeless with shopping carts of belongings. Not much sleep because other campsites are loud all night long.Host is there for what?

  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Katie H., July 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Katie H., July 17, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2018

Pretty campground in need of service

This is a gem of place to camp with only one black mark against it (I’ll get to that in a minute). This site is run by the US Forest service and sits alongside the really pretty Nacimiento River. If you don’t mind the noise from the road, the best two sites with the river running next to them are right in front across from the pay station and host site. The river is great for wading and supposedly for fishing. There are some swimming holes further up the river (but still in the campground area) as well. There are no hookups for RV’s and the road is very narrow; probably not the ideal place to bring your rig, which makes it perfect for tent camping. Some sites are really private and spread out, and others are on top of each other. They all have picnic tables and fire rings with grills, and there was water available.  Alright, now for the bad part. The vault toilets were terrible! They definitely needed to be pumped out, and were in desperate need of a good cleaning. The flies and smell was overwhelming. They had obviously been “maintained” as they were stocked with toilet paper, but that was the extent of that. There are lots of nearby hiking trails to pick from and you are not too far from the coast.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Annie C., July 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Annie C., July 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Annie C., July 1, 2018
  • (10) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Ponderosa Campground in Big Sur?

Ponderosa Campground receives mixed feedback with highlights including its beautiful setting along the Nacimiento River, shaded campsites, and clean restrooms. Visitors appreciate the natural surroundings with wildlife viewing opportunities and nearby hiking trails. However, some challenges include road noise at certain sites, abundant mosquitoes, poison oak in the area, and occasional noise from neighboring campers. The campground's riverside location is particularly valued, with the best sites being those directly adjacent to the water. Some operational issues have been noted, including reservation discrepancies.

What amenities are available at Ponderosa Campground in Big Sur?

Ponderosa Campground offers basic amenities including clean restrooms and campsites with 30-amp electrical hookups but no full hookups. The campground is situated alongside the scenic Nacimiento River, providing natural water access for activities like rock skipping. While most sites are shaded, offering protection from the sun, facilities are relatively simple. For supply needs, there are places to grab food nearby. The campground is managed by the US Forest Service and typically has a host on-site.

Are there photos available of Ponderosa Campground in Big Sur?

Yes, photos of Ponderosa Campground should be available through official Forest Service websites and camping platforms like The Dyrt. These images typically showcase the campground's shaded sites, the adjacent Nacimiento River, and surrounding forest environment. While specific photo galleries aren't detailed here, visual documentation of the campground's natural features, including the river access points and campsite layouts, would help potential visitors understand the setting. Contact the Los Padres National Forest office for official photos or check their website for current visual references.

Where is Ponderosa Campground located in Los Padres National Forest?

Ponderosa Campground is located in Los Padres National Forest alongside the Nacimiento River. It's situated in a forested area that provides shade and natural surroundings. The campground is accessible by road, though specific driving directions aren't detailed. Its position offers access to hiking opportunities within the national forest while maintaining proximity to places where campers can purchase supplies. For precise directions and GPS coordinates, contact the Los Padres National Forest office directly.