California · published-coordinate region
Ponderosa Campground
Look beyond the campground name. Compare the actual sites and the details that matter to your trip.
USDA Forest Service23Supported overnight records
1Published site categories
23Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.
A closer look at the campground
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.
Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site
How much is documented?
Reported fields across the 23 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.
Party limit
23
Vehicle limit
23
Vehicle length
23
Driveway entry
23
Shade
19
Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.
The campsite mix
Standard Nonelectric
23
Operator 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.
Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.
THE ACTUAL SITES
23 published campsite records
Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.
View all 23 published site records
| SITE / LOOP | TYPE | EQUIPMENT LIMITS | PEOPLE / VEHICLES | DRIVEWAY | ELECTRIC / SHADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 001 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 37 ft Tent: 37 ft Trailer: 37 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 37 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 002 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 37 ft Tent: 37 ft Trailer: 37 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 37 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 003 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 37 ft Tent: 37 ft Trailer: 37 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 37 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 004 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 37 ft Tent: 37 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 37 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 005 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 37 ft Tent: 37 ft Trailer: 37 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 37 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 006 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 30 ft Tent: 30 ft Trailer: 30 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 30 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 007 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 33 ft Tent: 33 ft Trailer: 33 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 33 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 008 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 33 ft Tent: 33 ft Trailer: 33 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 33 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 009 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 27 ft Tent: 27 ft Trailer: 27 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 27 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 010 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 27 ft Tent: 27 ft Trailer: 27 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 27 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 011 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 26 ft Tent: 26 ft Trailer: 26 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 26 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 012 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 20 ft Tent: 20 ft Trailer: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Not reported |
| Site 013 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 40 ft Tent: 40 ft Trailer: 40 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Not reported |
| Site 014 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 40 ft Tent: 40 ft Trailer: 40 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 40 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Not reported |
| Site 015 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 15 ft Tent: 15 ft Trailer: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 016 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 35 ft Tent: 35 ft Trailer: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 017 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 20 ft Tent: 20 ft Trailer: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 018 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 15 ft Tent: 15 ft Trailer: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Not reported |
| Site 019 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 25 ft Tent: 25 ft Trailer: 25 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 020 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 25 ft Tent: 25 ft Trailer: 25 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 25 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 021 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 28 ft Tent: 28 ft Trailer: 28 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 28 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 022 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 28 ft Tent: 28 ft Trailer: 28 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 28 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
| Site 023 PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-04 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 28 ft Tent: 28 ft Trailer: 28 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 28 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Full |
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