Ponderosa Campground
Los Padres National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Big Sur, CA, CA
Price: From $35 per night
Rating: 2.7 out of 5 (30 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.The Nacimiento River provides opportunities for trout fishing and wading, as well as swimming in any of the swimming holes along its course.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ponderosa-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Beautiful location along the Nacimiento River with 23 sites spread apart for privacy, offering fishing, swimming, hiking, and access to mountain trails. Campers report pleasant experiences with good site spacing and riverside ambiance.
Wildlife alert: California Condor, Humpback Whale, Steller's Jay, Western Gray Squirrel, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Oak Titmouse, Coast Mountain Kingsnake, Monterey Ringneck Snake, and Gopher Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Ponderosa Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Highway 1/Nacimiento Road access is closed; access only via Highway 101 from Jolon Road exit Bring a self-contained RV or tent; most sites have no hookups
Skip Ponderosa Campground if: You need RV hookups — only electric hookups available, no water or sewer at most sites. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You prefer paved roads — limited access routes.
Best time to visit Ponderosa Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Kirk Creek Campground (Big Sur, CA), Plaskett Creek Campground (BIG SUR, CA), Memorial Campground (Greenfield, CA), Escondido Campground (Big Sur, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ponderosa Campground
Cell signal at Ponderosa Campground (Big Sur, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.The Nacimiento River provides opportunities for trout fishing and wading, as well as swimming in any of the swimming holes along its course.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Highway 1/Nacimiento Road access is closed; access only via Highway 101 from Jolon Road exit
Bring a self-contained RV or tent; most sites have no hookups
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Los Padres National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Los Padres National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Ponderosa Campground cost per night?+
What season is Ponderosa Campground open?+
Does Ponderosa Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Ponderosa Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Ponderosa Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Ponderosa Campground?+
What season is Ponderosa Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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