USDA Forest Service · California
Ponderosa Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 23
- Hookups
- 23 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,018 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Historic Sites, Hunting, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
23 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57° | 44° | 34° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| February | 56° | 43° | 35° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| March | 58° | 45° | 35° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 60° | 46° | 39° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 68° | 50° | 44° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 55° | 48° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 61° | 51° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 61° | 55° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 58° | 51° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 72° | 54° | 45° | 86° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 62° | 49° | 37° | 77° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 58° | 45° | 35° | 70° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Nacimiento · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Kirk Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 32 sites
- Plaskett Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 46 sites
- Limekiln State Park · California State Parks · 8 mi · 29 sites
- Memorial Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 8 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-04. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.