Colorado · Camping

Ponderosa Campground

Ponderosa CampgroundPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
May–Sep
best months

Is Ponderosa Campground open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Ponderosa Campground, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 7,855 ft
  • Gunnison Ranger DistrictCurecanti National Recreation Area · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Ponderosa Campground sits in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, within the Curecanti National Recreation Area and on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the camp lies within the recreation area's reach, making it a natural base for exploring this corner of the national forest. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. At Blue Mesa Lake, a nearby weather station, typical July averages run to a high of 83°F and a low of 46°F, with June and September close behind. Winter is severe, with January highs around 25°F and lows near zero. Several other spots are within a few miles. Soap Creek Corral and the Soap Creek Corral Horse Camp are each about a mile away, and the Coal Mesa and Cow Creek hikes are within roughly two and a half miles. West Elk campground is about 2.6 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Ponderosa Campground

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      25° / -1°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      30° / 3°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 15°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      56° / 24°

      5 wet

    5. May

      66° / 32°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 39°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 46°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 45°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 37°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 27°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      44° / 15°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 3°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blue Mesa Lake, CO, 9 mi away at 7,568 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors