Ponderosa Group Campground
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Ponderosa Group Campground is located just off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway at an elevation of 7,400 feet. The byway is part of the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah, which are known for their abundant recreational opportunities and scenic beauty.
Ponderosa contains one group site that can accommodate up to 100 people. It is equipped with large picnic tables and campfire circles. Smaller tables are scattered around the edges of the site.
Vault toilets are provided but campers must bring their own water and garbage bags. Access is via a short but steep, rough dirt road. Campers will find plenty of room for tents and smaller RVs or trailers.
Need to Know
This Campground is in Bear Country
Always store food and trash securely to avoid attracting wildlife
-Failure to comply may result in fines up to $5,000, removal from your campsite and/or imprisonment
Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear; your actions can save lives
No water available on site; bring all water needed for your stay including drinking water
This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; bring trash bags
Dogs or Domestic Pets
Owners must
-Control dogs by a leash not to exceed six feet (6’) at all times
-Clean up dog feces immediately
-Limit two dogs per campsite
Do not allow dogs to
-Threaten, or attack people/animals
-Interfere with people, vehicles, or property
-Cause damage to vegetation or harass wildlife
Campground Etiquette and Rules
Gates open at 7am, close at 10pm
Quiet Hours are 10pm-6am No generators after 10pm
Camping is allowed only within the designated space provided. Do not go beyond the boundaries of your site
Max occupancy is 8 people per single site
Reserved campsites will be held until 12pm on the day following your scheduled arrival date
Horses/Off-road vehicles are prohibited in the campground
Leave No Trace
Put all trash in dumpsters, when provided, or properly stored in your vehicle or bear box
Remove all personal property and trash when leaving
Unclean campsites will be reported to the District Ranger LEO
Leaving food/trash in an unoccupied campsite may result in a $5,000 fine
Cleaning fish, animals, or bathing where drinking water is supplied is strictly prohibited
Fireworks or other explosives are prohibited. Discharging of a firearm in the campground is not allowed
No fighting or boisterous behavior. Be courteous to your fellow visitor. Keep noise at a reasonable level
No amplified music is allowed in USDA Forest Service campgrounds and facilities. People come to the campgrounds for peace and quiet
Max Vehicle Length includes tow vehicle
There is a 2-night minimum stay on weekends; 3-night minimum stay on holiday weekends
This is the Ponderosa Group Campground on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway above Kamas, Utah, not the Ponderosa in Spanish Fork Canyon.
Trailers/Campers and RVs
-Come with your RV/trailer water tank filled. Hooking up to spigots or the power in the restrooms, even for medical devices is strictly prohibited
-Dirt access road is short but steep, rough and not advisable for larger RVs or trailers
The gate to the campground is kept locked until the 3 p.m. check-in time; a second gate at the top of the hill must remain locked at all times; please see host at Yellow Pine Campground for assistance.
Advance Reservations
Reservations are required and must be made at least 5 days in advance
No walk-ins/first come first serve available for these sites
Please understand that camping is an outdoor experience; we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions
Cancellations within 14 days of arrival date will forfeit the first night use fee and a $10 cancellation fee
No-shows, early departures, or cancellations after the arrival date are not entitled to a refund
If a guest does not arrive at the campsite by check-out time the day after scheduled arrival, and does not cancel the reservation, a $20 service fee will be charged and a forfeit of the first-night use fee
For more information on visiting Bear Country visit
For campground Rules and Regulations visit gocamputah.com/rules
Click here for more info about the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
For more information, please call Kamas Ranger District at 435-783-4338 or Utah Recreation at 385-273-1100
Visit our website gocamputah.com or Facebook facebook.com/letsgocamputah
To reserve a campsite call Recreation.gov reservation line 1-877-444-6777
Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood within 10 miles of your destination and burning it on-site. For more information click here
Please note: Utah Recreation is not responsible for accident or injury to any person or property resulting from the use of this facility and is not responsible for the loss of money or valuables of any kind. The user of this permit assumes full and complete responsibility for the conduct and actions of all members in his or her party
Natural Features
The campground is located on a forested hillside above Highway 150 and is quite secluded. Ponderosa pines tower over the site, offering nice shade. Sagebrush and summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway parallels the Lower Provo River as it snakes across a portion of the Uinta Mountains, leading to numerous high alpine lakes and streams, countless trails, breathtaking scenic viewpoints and various campgrounds.
Fishing, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and biking are popular activities. The High Uintas Wilderness can be accessed from several trails along the byway.
Recreation
Numerous hiking, biking and horseback riding trails crisscross this beautiful region, including Yellow Pine, North Fork and Shingle Creek Trails, which all begin nearby. Off-road vehicle trails are in the vicinity.
The Lower Provo River is below the site and across the highway, offering good trout fishing.
Changes & Cancellations
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees
- Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.
- Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
- You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Late Cancellations
- Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
- Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
- Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
- Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
- Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.
No-Shows
- Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.
- If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.
Refunds
- Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
- Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
- Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
- Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
- Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.
Recreation.gov Billing Information
- Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."
Changes to Policies and Procedures
- Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
564 W 700 S Ste.305, Box #5 Pleasant Grove UT 84062
Physical Address
Sceinic Byway Highway 150 E Mirror Lake Hwy Kamas UT 84036
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: KAMAS RANGER DISTRICT 435-783-4338 OR UTAH RECREATION COMPANY 385-273-1100
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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From Salt Lake City, Utah, take I-80 east for approximately 30 miles to Exit 146 for Highway 40 toward Park City/Heber City/Vernal. Take Exit 4 onto Highway 248 toward Kamas. Take left onto UT 32 then right onto Highway 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway). Go 5.7 miles to campground.
or
From Salt Lake City, Utah, take I-80 east for approximately 30 miles to Exit 146 for Highway 40. Go south on Highway 40 for approximately 13 miles and take left onto UT Highway 32. Stay on UT-32 for 16 miles (there will be a 4-way stop in Francis.) Take right onto Highway 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) in Kamas. Go 5.7 miles to campground.
or
From Provo, Utah, take Highway 189 thru Provo Canyon to Heber City. At the junction with Highway 40 in Heber, turn left and stay on Highway 189 thru town. At the north end of Heber, turn right onto UT Highway 32. Stay on UT-32 for 16 miles (there will be a 4-way stop in Francis.) Take right onto Highway 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) in Kamas. Go 5.7 miles to campground.
Watch for the sign and dirt road to the campground on your left.
