Ponderosa Campground
Ponderosa | |
---|---|
Location | California, United States |
Coordinates | 35°59′51″N 121°22′53″W / 35.99752°N 121.38128°WCoordinates: 35°59′51″N 121°22′53″W / 35.99752°N 121.38128°W |
Type | Drive In |
Land | Los Padres National Forest |
Campsites | 21 |
Facilities | Vault Toilets, Picnic Tables |
Water | Yes |
Fee | $25/site/night |
Fires | Yes |
Operated by | Parks Management Company |
Ponderosa Campground is a United States Forest Service campground in the high country of Big Sur, on the central coast of California in the Los Padres National Forest.[1] The campground has 21 sites set in a high valley adjacent to the Nacimiento River, featuring a canopy of Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Madrone, and California Sycamore trees.[2] Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and pedestal grill. The campground is on the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.[2]
Location
Big Sur
Big Sur is an unincorporated region along the central coast of California; located along Highway one between Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Coast.[3][4] Hiking, backpacking, scenic driving, and camping are activities that can be done in Big Sur.[4] There is a wide variety of wildlife in Big Sur, some of these animals include: California condors, peregrine falcons, elephant seals, mountain lions, and blue whales.[5] Big Sur offers both State Parks and privately owned campgrounds, which include both tent and RV camping.[1]
Campgrounds in Big Sur [1]
- Andrew Molera State Park[6]
- Julia Pferiffer Burns State Park[7]
- Limekiln State Park[8]
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park[9]
- Big Sure Campground & Cabins[10]
- Fernwood Campground [11]
- Kirk Creek Campground [12]
- Nacimiento Campground [13]
- Plaskett Creek Campground [14]
- Ponderosa Campground [2]
- Point Lobos State Reserve[15]
- Riveride Campground & Cabins [16]
- Treebones Resort [17]
- Ventana Campground [18]
Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is a United States National Forest maintained by the United States Forest Service.[19] The forest is 1.75 million acres that spans throughout Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern Counties.[20] The Northern Division of the forest, Monterey and San Luis Obispo County, extends throughout Big Sur.[20][21] Mountains, streams, rivers, and beaches are located throughout the forest. Due to the wide array of ecosystems, the forest is home to more than 468 fish and wildlife species; some of these animals include:Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, tule elk, bighorn sheep, California condors, and several endangered plants.[22] Santa Lucia, La Panza, San Rafael, Santa Ynez, and Sierra Madre are major mountain ranges located within the Forest.[22]
Amenities
The campground has 21 sites scattered along the Nacimiento River; both for RV and tent camping.[1] Most campgrounds are shaded due to the canopy of Ponderosa pine, oak, madrone, and sycamore trees.[23] Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and pedestal grill; water is available from March to November.[2] Vault toilets and trash bins are located throughout the campground; utility hookups are not available.[23]
Activities
The Nacimiento River runs throughout the campground which gives visitors the opportunity to trout fish, wade and swim in the swimming holes.[23] Other activities such as biking, hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing are also available; you must check with the California Department of Fish and Game for hunting season in the area.[2] Horseback riding and mountain biking trails are located a few miles outside of the campground. Located just east of the campground is one of the oldest missions in California, Mission San Antonio; which features a museum, original aqueducts, and a Native American graveyard.[23] Boating, fishing, swimming, and guided tours are available at the San Antonio Reservoir Recreation Area; located about 32 miles southwest of Ponderosa Campground.[23]
General Information
- Only two cars per camp site; the first car is free, but there is a $10.00 additional charge for the second car.[23]
- No firewood is available to buy at the campground.[2]
- One reservation covers 6 people, the maximum amount of people per site is 8; there is a $10.00 additional charge after 6 people.[23]
- $25.00 per camp site[2]
- 50% of site are reservable, the other 50% are first-come, first-served. Reservations need to be made 8 days in advance.[2]
- $10.00 service charge applies for any reservations that are cancelled or changed.[24]
- No recreational vehicle can be longer than 35 feet.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Internet, Stan Russell, Big Sur. "Big Sur Camping Guide, Big Sur California". www.bigsurcalifornia.org. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Ponderosa Campground".
- ↑ "Big Sur". Wikipedia. 2018-04-21.
- 1 2 "History of Big Sur California". www.bigsurcalifornia.org. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
- ↑ "Big Sur Visitor Bureau - Wildlife". visitbigsurcalifornia. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
- ↑ California, California State Parks, State of. "Andrew Molera SP". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ California, California State Parks, State of. "Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ California, California State Parks, State of. "Limekiln SP". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ California, California State Parks, State of. "Pfeiffer Big Sur SP". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Big Sur Campground & Cabins". Big Sur Campground & Cabins. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Fernwood Campground & Resort :: Big Sur, California". www.fernwoodbigsur.com. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND, CA". Recreation.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Nacimiento Campground". Los Padres National Forest.
- ↑ "PLASKETT CREEK CAMPGROUND, CA". Recreation.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ California, California State Parks, State of. "Point Lobos SNR". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Big Sur Riverside Campground & Cabins". www.riversidecampground.com. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Treebones Resort – Glamping in Big Sur". www.treebonesresort.com. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Ventana Campground | Camping In The Big Sur Redwoods". www.ventanacamping.com. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ↑ "Los Padres National Forest". Wikipedia. 2018-04-18.
- 1 2 "About the Forest".
- ↑ "Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County | Hiking". www.seemonterey.com. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- 1 2 "Los Padres National Forest-Animals and Plants". Los Padre National Forest.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND, CA". Recreation.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ↑ "PONDEROSA CAMPGROUND, CA". Recreation.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-26.