Ponderosa Campground | Monterey County Camping

Campground Sites

Choose Your
Ground.

Tent camping site beneath ponderosa pines at Ponderosa Campground

Tent Sites

Shaded, level pads nestled between massive ponderosa trunks. Perfect for backpackers and weekend warriors who want the woods close enough to touch.

Fire ring & cooking grate
Near potable water station
Maximum 2 tents per site

RV camping site with full hookups at Ponderosa Campground

RV Sites

Gravel pads with 30/50 amp electrical hookups. Sites accommodate up to 35-foot rigs with plenty of maneuvering room and tree cover.

30 & 50 amp electrical
Water fill-in at select sites
Pull-through & back-in available

Group camping area with large fire circle at Ponderosa Campground

Group Sites

Spacious clearings for families, scout troops, or reunion parties. Central fire circle with seating for 20 and a communal cooking area.

Up to 15 people per site
Large fire circle & picnic table
Near resthouse facility

Seasonal rates apply · Reservations recommended May through October

Call (800) 634-6108 for availability & rates

The Area

Beyond the
Treeline.

Ponderosa sits at the gateway to one of Monterey County's most dramatic landscapes. The Sierras rise on every side — granite faces, alpine meadows, and river corridors that have drawn hikers and anglers for generations.

The Nacimiento River runs a short distance from camp, offering cold-water fishing and summer swimming. The Los Padres National Forest wraps around the campground like a green wall, with trailheads accessible within minutes of your fire ring.

Hiking

20+ trailheads within 15 minutes, from easy river walks to summit pushes above 8,000 feet.

Fishing

Rainbow trout and brown trout in the Nacimiento River. Seasonal stocking and year-round access.

Stargazing

Minimal light pollution makes this a Dark Sky-adjacent location — the Milky Way is visible from most sites.

Wildlife

Mule deer, coyotes, golden eagles, and the occasional mountain lion patrol the ridges above camp.

Sierra Nevada mountain vista above Ponderosa Campground with granite peaks and alpine meadows

"The best trails in Monterey County don't start at a visitor center — they start at a fire ring."

What's Provided

Essentials,
Nothing Else.

We keep the amenities honest — what you actually need, nothing you don't. No pools, no mini-golf, no Wi-Fi. Just the basics done well.

Potable Water

Treated water stations located throughout the campground. Fill your containers at the central hub or at select RV sites.

Resthouse

Indoor resthouse with flush toilets, hand-washing stations, and a covered area for meal prep regardless of weather.

Fire Wood

Seasoned firewood available for purchase at the campground office. Bring your own or start a fire the moment you arrive.

Dump Station

RV waste dump station located near the entrance. Black and gray tank disposal available for registered campers.

Morning mist rising through ponderosa pine forest at Ponderosa Campground

"There is a silence in these pines that you don't find anywhere else in California. Once you camp here, you understand why."

— Monterey County Outdoor Magazine

Find Us

Off the
Beaten Road.

Address

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd
Monterey County, CA 93920

Phone

(800) 634-6108

Office Hours

Daily 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Seasonal: May through October

Driving Directions

From Salinas: Take CA-156 West to CA-101 South, then CA-156 East toward King City. Turn onto Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and follow signs for approximately 25 miles into the mountains.

Map shows approximate campground area along Nacimiento-Fergusson Road

Night sky with stars above Ponderosa Campground fire ring

Reserve Your Spot

The Pines
Are Waiting.

Sites fill quickly during peak season. Call ahead to reserve your spot beneath the ponderosas — or just show up early and find your clearing.

(800) 634-6108 View Site Options

Pine. Solitude. Both.

Choose YourGround.