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Established Camping

Ponderosa Campground

Ponderosa Campground, near Yellow Pine, Idaho, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Tucked away in the Payette National Forest, it offers a serene setting right alongside the Secesh River, making it perfect for fishing and hiking.

The campground features ten sites, each providing a great opportunity to unwind by the fire or enjoy a picnic. Visitors have raved about the beautiful surroundings, with one camper noting, “This is a beautiful campground right on the Secesh River.” While there are no electric hookups or showers, the clean pit toilets and drinking water make for a comfortable stay.

For outdoor adventurers, the area is a treasure trove of activities. You can hike along the river and even forage for wild huckleberries and strawberries in the summer. Plus, the nearby trails are great for biking, ensuring you’ll have plenty to explore during your visit.

While some campers mentioned that the sites can feel a bit close together, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. Whether you're camping with family or friends, Ponderosa Campground is a great choice for a memorable outdoor experience.

Description

National Forest

Payette National Forest

Overview

This campground is located adjacent to the Secesh River and offers beautiful river views. There are eleven camp sites. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app ht tps://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Recreation

There is fishing and trail access.

Nearby Attractions

The South Fork of the Salmon River is a highly popular area of the Forest and is one of the earlier areas to be snow-free in the spring. Several campgrounds and dispersed campsites can be found along the South Fork Road (FS Rd #674). The southern-most 7 miles of the South Fork Road are on the Boise National Forest.

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Location

Ponderosa Campground is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

From McCall, go 31 miles northeast on Lick Creek Road #48. The South Fork corridor is about 30 miles from Cascade along the Warm Lake Highway. Usually by July, Lick Creek Pass (Road #48) is snow-free, providing a faster access from McCall (35 miles) to the South Fork corridor. Please follow posted speed limits and drive carefully, the South Fork Road is a paved, narrow, one-lane road with two-way traffic and many blind corners.

Coordinates

45.062106 N
115.758554 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Poor
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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5.0

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2020

Right on the river!

This is a beautiful campground right on the Secesh River and right across the road from a trail that takes you on a hike along the river. I found wild huckleberries and strawberries on this hike in early July. This is a newer campground than the Secesh horse camp which is across the road. However, don't mistake it for Ponderosa State Park which is 2 hours away in McCall and has way more amenities. This site has water, a pit toilet, and ten sites.

  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Hannah W., July 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Hannah W., July 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Ponderosa Campground by Hannah W., July 5, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 11, 2019

Beautiful place

Work outing so a great place for a large group with multiple options for tent camping. Great fishing and hiking.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2018

Great place for families and dogs

What a great place to spend time with your family! Clean bathrooms, easy hook ups, and a warm Visitor’s Center all made our cold, damp camping trip a success. This place has easy to access bike paths, beach/lake access, and is only a few minutes from town.

Reviewed Sep. 14, 2018

Very nice!

Beautiful campground with hot showers and flush toilets. Hookups for RV's and trailers. Tent camping. Nice lake close by with boat, wave runner, pontoon boat rentals. Reserve in advance!

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2018

nice clean cg

I stayed here one night. It was a weeknight and very quiet - only one other site was occupied. The pit toilets were clean. There were no squirrels or other critters to try to steal my food! There is no water available there, so either bring your own or a filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Ponderosa Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Ponderosa Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Ponderosa Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Ponderosa Campground does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Ponderosa Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Ponderosa Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Ponderosa Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Ponderosa Campground?

    There are 11 campsites at Ponderosa Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts