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Ponderosa Campground

In

Los Padres National Forest

·

60%

·

22 sites · RV, Tent

Come ponder the view at Ponderosa Campground. Family campsites and a mountain stream, all under the protective canopy of Ponderosa, Pine, Oak, Madrone, and Sycamore trees. Campsites come with all the important fixings, and are both tent and RV friendly. Ponderosa Campground is situated by the Nacimiento River, making it perfect to catch a fish or swim like one. Nearby trails offer waterfalls, massive redwood groves, and open meadows. So drop your cell phone in a ditch (or a recycling bin) and get ready to unplug in the Big Sur wildlands.

What this place offers

Campfire allowed

Pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

Potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

22 sites

RV, Tent

Explore 445 campgrounds near Los Padres National Forest

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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Los Padres National Forest

dabudage Big Sur

6.5mi from Ponderosa Campground · 9 sites · Tents, Lodging · CA

DABUDAGE in southern Big Sur. ***READ THIS ENTIRE WRITTEN DESCRIPTION BEFORE REQUESTING TO BOOK!* And Format Request as Specified *. Disconnect from the virtual world and surround yourself in nature. At the base of a majestic canyon where steep mountains plunge to the ocean, along a flowing creek. Backed by redwood trees and surrounded by national forest is a minimalistic homestead with family, friends and animals. *The prices have been raised on hipcamp as Hipcamp now takes more than a 25% cut. Discounts and/or trades may be available if needed. You can visit our site on the web for more information at dabudage. *We currently only accept reservations for dates within the next 3 weeks*. You must Arrive Before Dark to find your site. There is no wi-fi, cell service or electricity. Hwy 1 is currently closed to the north of this land. The only access is through Cambria from the south or over the mountain from King City off of Hwy 101 There are two small communal guest kitchens, fresh water, a shower/bath and composting barrel poopers. A massive flood in Jan 2021 brought 100's of gigantic full sized redwood trees and boulders smashing down thru most of the land and previous structures. It is and will be in the process of rebuilding for many years to come. Children are welcome. Dogs are welcome off-leash. Alcohol is discouraged. No electronic music devices. Fires in designated pits only. Pack out trash. TO RESERVE A SITE - Please include a bit about yourself/party and where you’re coming from. *YOU MUST ALSO INCLUDE - “ My party and I have read the description” - IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTED Requests are usually checked once daily.

Saddle Mountain Carmel

44mi from Ponderosa Campground · 41 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Carmel, CA

Welcome to Saddle Mountain, RV and Campground! We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great family friendly getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life. PLEASE NOTE, our RV and tent sites are pet friendly but YOU MUST ADD THE PET FEE EXTRA WHEN MAKING YOUR BOOKING. We charge $15 per pet and you can bring a maximum of 2 pets. On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation* On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months. We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests. Thank you!

Camp near Pinnacles National Park

39mi from Ponderosa Campground · 23 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Paicines, CA

Started in 2014 by Tim and Michelle Borland and their three kids, the Bar SZ Ranch is a true family business with a mission to help others “forge their legacy.” Set on 2200-acres in its own valley with iconic California oak trees and golden hills; views of the surrounding mountains and Pinnacles National Park; and painted, sunlit skies guests can't get enough of, this working ranch offers unique, getaway camping and glamping experiences for both new and seasoned campers. The Bar SZ Campground is near Pinnacles National Park but relatively remote from other services, which is part of what makes the area so special. It is a place to unplug, share stories and spend time with your family and friends, and explore the wilderness of California. From the ranch: Pinnacles National Park East entrance 6.6 miles Nearest Groceries and restaurants: Hollister 36 miles north King City 28.5 miles south Tres Pinos 29.2 miles north The nearest amenities (stores, restaurants, gas) are about 30 miles away so please plan ahead and bring the things you will need during your stay. We have great service for AT&T on the ranch. Do you have an even larger group? Message us if you have a larger event or are interested in a whole campsite/ranch rental.

INSANE views -vineyard camping

46mi from Ponderosa Campground · 1 site · Lodging · Paso Robles, CA

The vineyard glamper sits perched atop a hill overlooking miles of vineyard and riverbed in the rolling hills of East Paso Robles Estrella district. Experience the quiet tranquility of camping yet still have running water and AC. Nearby is the Estrella wine trail, horseback riding, Vina Robles Amphitheater, Ravine Water park, award winning restaurants, 30 minutes to the beach, 30 minutes to downtown San Luis Obispo and 8 minutes to historic downtown Paso Robles with its bustling downtown and myriad of events happening year round. You’ll have no shortage of fun with bike rentals available, a miniature putting green, walking and hiking, and many other local guided tours on request.

Enney's Ranch

48mi from Ponderosa Campground · 4 sites · Lodging · San Miguel, CA

Enney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.

Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

36mi from Ponderosa Campground · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Cambria, CA

We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enterGate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.

Road's End, Bradley Lockwood

22mi from Ponderosa Campground · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Lockwood, CA

Peaceful and private RV camping under the oaks with picnic table, fire pit and Adirondack chairs. We currently have two sites on our property. They are about 300 feet apart and not easily visible from each other. Property is fully fenced; both sites are next to an open field under the oaks with vineyard, olive orchard and mountain views. This property is 30 miles from Paso Robles and almost perfectly centered between Missions San Antonio and San Miguel. Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento are close by. Coastal towns of Cayucos and Morro Bay are about an hour scenic drive, passing many wineries along the way. There is space for multiple RVs or additional tents sharing your party's RV restroom facilities. Site one will accommodate sixteen people and multiple vehicles. Site two will accommodate ten people and two vehicles. For larger groups we ask that that you book both sites. We have hosted many family reunions and the feedback has been 100% positive. Please feel free to message us with questions.

40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

48mi from Ponderosa Campground · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · Paicines, CA

35 miles to Pinnacles, and only 6 miles to Panoche Valley, a globally important migratory bird routes! Dark Skies at night for galaxy cruising and plenty of oak trees for cool shade. Warm sunny days and cool nights. Amazing and invigorating fall weather! Bring warm clothes and throws to wrap in while sitting by a roaring fire under dark skies streaming planets and galaxies. For daytime, dress in layers. In the oak studded world of the Diablo Mountain Range, the ocean influence sends gentle breezes winding their way through the oaks, offering days of dappled sunshine and nights crisp and cool. Use this as a home base and spend days at Pinnacles, Monterey, Carmel, the Central Valley, and so on or...you can rest and relax the world away, this is a place to regain your balance. Come with your cares leave clear and regenerated. A place to sing and dance, to talk late into the night as the night sky brims over with stars, and the campfire slowly dies. Perfect for group gatherings, and can accommodate your large party as easily and comfortably as we accommodate families, singles, and couples. What we provide is: outdoor hot shower, flush toilet, clean clear water from faucets, and at your campsite, a fire pit and grill to cook on, picnic table with benches, and the blue oak savanna. Firewood for $15/bundle, fire starters -first two free in the winter then $0.50/each. Our firewood is sustainably harvested from downed trees and branches. We sell it for a neighbor. No healthy live trees are harmed in order to produce firewood. No native trees are felled in order to plant fast growing hardwood for fire or anything else! Pitch your tent or park your camper amid the ancient Blue Oaks of California. Warm yourself by your campfire as you drink in the dark skies. Shake the dust off your work worn spirit. Let the celebration begin. Dance to the music in your heart sing along with the songs of the ancients. Regenerate. Breathe and hear yourself breathe. A safe place in the shade of the blue oaks. It's time to take time. Time to play and enjoy with friends and family. A place to bask in opulent starlight and absorb the sounds of darkness. Brought to you by wildfarmers/spif, an IRS designated 501c3 public charity.

Feather River Ranch+solar pool+spa

45mi from Ponderosa Campground · 2 sites · RVs · Paso Robles, CA

Feather River Ranch Eco Homestead is the perfect place to pull up and hook up your RV or camper van and enjoy the property. 110 plug (it’s green) conveniently located for use in the RV carport. Please park along the vines or by corral entrance if your travel trailer/ RV is too large. Enjoy the newly built 16•34 ft solar heated pool, private hot tub, and a 3 minute walk down to the river. There is no bathroom on site so your rv or camper is needed. We are hands off and have another home so we may or may not be able to greet you if we are away. Enjoy the peace of this eco homestead.

Oak Heart Estate

42mi from Ponderosa Campground · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Paso Robles, CA

Does a night under the stars on a mountain top in the middle of Paso Robles Wine Country sound appealing? Incredible sunsets, picturesque views, peace and quiet abound at Oak Heart Estate! We'd love to share our piece of heaven with you! Escape the bustle of the city find your way to a little spot out of town. You'll find plenty of wineries in every direction you turn!

Vinyl Vineyards Glampground

50mi from Ponderosa Campground · 20 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Paso Robles, CA

Welcome to Vinyl Vineyards – a 120-acre private ranch, working vineyard, and boutique glampground tucked along the scenic Union Road Wine Trail in Paso Robles, California. Our 10-site glamping retreat blends rustic charm with refined adventure. Unplug, recharge, and reconnect—with nature, with wine, friends and family. Hike private trails through vineyard rows, oak forests, and wildflower fields. Cool off with afternoon breezes and cool Paso nights, greet our alpacas and chickens, or nap in a hammock with the scent of lavender in the air. The property features: 26 acres of producing vineyard Outdoor kitchens, BBQ grills, and communal fire pits Sunset hilltops and dark-sky stargazing Frisbee golf, garden rows, and peaceful picnic spots Alpacas (yes, you can meet them), chickens, and bees Pet-friendly vibes with plenty of space to roam Guests are invited to book a complimentary "Sip & Spin" wine tasting in our private cellar—where the vinyl spins and our award winning wine flows. And we also deliver to your site. We’re just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles and within walking distance to local wineries. A 5-minute drive puts you at Sensorio Field of Light, Vina Robles Amphitheatre, and Paso’s golf courses. Or stay put—there’s magic in staying still.

OUR HAPPY PLACE

17mi from Ponderosa Campground · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Lockwood, CA

The property is easy Motorcycle, Auto, Van. Camper, Caravan and RV access from paved road. It's an enjoyable, primitive, quiet place to hang out. Dog and Cat friendly. Surrounded by mountains. Weak to no signal! Plenty of Wildlife with cool and quiet evenings.. The stars will be bright. Rugged setting. Clean portable potty.. Check out the BACK 40 for an even more remote rugged camping experience.... Hikers welcome.

More to explore nearby

60%

5 ratings · 5 reviews

July 2020

Hi there, Is there's a shower in the campground?

Scott C.

5 years on Hipcamp

July 2020

I camped here at Site #6, near the stream over the 4th of July weekend. It was relatively quiet and while there were some flies and mosquitoes, it was a fairly low-to-normal amount for any summer camping. We kept citronella tikis and repellant and were fine.

Lila B.

7 years on Hipcamp

June 2020

The problem isn’t the campsite. It’s the campground host, Michael, who blatantly threatened us with death.. Our campsite was next to his trailer and he helped himself over to our camp essentially anytime One night he was drinking with us around our campfire and at some point he just snapped, aggressively telling everybody to be quiet even though he was louder than all of us. But still, we complied and sat quietly around the campfire without saying a word. This was not good enough apparently. He pointed to my friend and said “you need to shut the fuck up.” I got up and told him that wasn’t cool and he went on a full-throated tirade which included “this is my fucking forest” and “I’ll fucking bury you out here.” Not a safe environment AT ALL

Jason C.

5 years on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· January 2019

Carry bug spray. A lot. Site#20 is shaded. Campfires and Nightsky is awesome!

George K.

9 years on Hipcamp

March 2018

I came here on a solo camping trip in March 2018 for a few days. When I came to Ponderosa campground, it was $25 a night. The campground itself is beautiful. It's pretty nicely spread out too. It is right by a creek, which was completely flowing when I visited. There were so many birds, it would be a great place for bird watching. There is no service out here, so be aware of that. It also got below freezing at night when I stayed so make sure you have the right sleeping bag. Each campsite has a picnic table, a firepit (which you don't need a separate campfire permit for) I will definitely be returning.

Kianna S.

9 years on Hipcamp

LocationPonderosa Campground, Los Padres National Forest, California, United States

Is anything missing?Suggest edits to improve this listing for fellow campers.

What this place offers

Campfire allowed

Pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

Potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

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