Ponderosa Campground

I came up from Texas and made reservations online for Ponderosa. I filled my fresh water tanks for free at the Rockies Market in Cimarron before I got to the campsite. I had a pull in site on the edge. Only flaw with this spot is you don’t get much sun from the canyon blocking it sometimes. I used the bathrooms here which had running water and were always clean. I also filled my drinking water with the faucet on site. This spot had great people and was in a good spot to go and explore

We stayed at Ponderosa on a Sunday night in May -- only 2 other RVs in this section so enjoyed the peace and quiet. Site was next to lovely creek which our water dog enjoyed exploring on our arrival walk (though dogs not welcomed in Maverick's ponds and we wouldn't have risked the fish hooks anyway). AT&T cell service was better than expected!

The canyon is in a state park surrounded by a wildlife management area. There are several options. Some have hookups, garbage dumpsters, bathrooms, and grey water dump stations. Others are set up for tents and have only tent pads and bear boxes. All have excellent access to the prettiest little well stocked trout stream you can imagine. Hiking along the stream is good. Hiking up into the hills is highly limited by the fish and game. Is is completely off limits during elk calving season.

Tolby on the far west side of the canyon is where the ranger works and can sell you a park pass to make all your state park visits free.

Maverick on the east side has ponds and lots of kids. It is very shady from the big cottonwood trees.

Ponderosa on the Far East side has the easiest access for big rigs, is usually least full, and very quiet. It isn’t much more than a big parking lot. I’ve had it to myself for days at a time.

Finally, there are campground hosts at some spots, but they turn off the water, and lock up the bathrooms at the end of summer. If that matters, call first.