Ponderosa RV Resort: A Northern Arizona Hideaway

Many people start looking for spring destinations a year in advance. If you’re looking for a retreat in the western states, why not head to Arizona It’s a state with a ton of diverse locations, from pine forests to rocky mountains, to cactus-filled deserts. If you want to camp in the Northern region, consider staying at Ponderosa RV Resort.

This resort has been operating for many years and it has attracted several dedicated fans. Some people live at this park all year long, whether in their RVs or mobile homes. It’s a peaceful community that’s surrounded by mature pine trees. That’s how it got its name!

Because this park doubles as an RV community for snowbirds, it’s only open to campers who are at least 55 years old. If you’re looking for a nice place to spend the winter and make friends, this might be a great option for you. Seasonal visitors are always welcome. But even if you just want to stay for a night or two, you will still get plenty of value out of your visit. Read on to learn more about this hidden gem in Northern Arizona.

Overview

Ponderosa RV Resort is located in Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85929. It’s in a town called Lakeside, which makes sense when you look at the geography of the area. There’s a large lake that stretches down into the park, as well as a collection of smaller lakes and ponds nearby. Arizona is known for being hot and dry, so don’t underestimate the value of camping close to a body of water!

It’s also a decent-sized park, with 141 total sites. However, many of these sites are occupied by long-term residents so the actual number of openings is more limited. Be sure to reserve a site before you arrive. It is open all year long though, so you don’t have to plan for seasonal closures.

The sites all come with full hookups for water, sewage, and electricity. In addition, there’s park-wide Wi-Fi access and great cell-phone service for most carriers. You shouldn’t have any issues browsing the web, making calls, or streaming some entertainment options.

You might be worried about the pricing here. Campgrounds with full-time residents sometimes charge steep prices, even to visitors who only want to stay for a night or two. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about that here! The rates are reasonable, no matter how long you want to stay.

The rates are also fairly stable throughout the year and don’t fluctuate based on the season or time of the week. You can save money if you have a Good Sam membership though, so be sure to check with the park for a discounted price. The average rates are as follows:

• Daily RV Site: $52
• Weekly RV Site: $319
• Monthly RV Site: $819 (plus electricity)
• 6-Month RV Site: $4168 (plus electricity)
• 6-Month Mobile Home Site: $4,914 (plus electricity)
• Annual Site Reservation: $6,648 (plus electricity)

To learn more about the Ponderosa RV Resort and schedule a reservation, visit their website at ponderosarvresort.com

Amenities

If you’re going to live in an RV park for all (or most) of the year, it needs to have plenty of amenities and comfort features. Luckily the Ponderosa RV Resort has you covered on all fronts!

As previously mentioned, all the RV sites come with full hookups so you can easily operate your own bathroom year-round. But if you need a bit of extra space to freshen up, visit the on-site bathroom and shower facilities. The staff is very diligent about keeping the park clean and well-maintained, so you can feel good about using these buildings.

Your personal hygiene isn’t the only thing you’ll need to take care of. Your clothes will need to be washed and the surrounding town is fairly small. That’s why this RV park provides full laundry facilities for you to use. You won’t have to leave the park in order to enjoy clean clothes!

We all love our RVs, but sometimes you might need a larger space for games, events, and relaxation. If that’s the case for you, visit the clubhouse. It can accommodate small and large gatherings. It also has a game room, which includes a pool table.

If you prefer to relax outdoors, stop by the gazebo. It’s the perfect place to breathe in that fresh lake air while staying cool in the shade. Your pets are also welcome at the Ponderosa RV Resort. There’s a fully gated dog park where they can run around and get their energy out! Once again, the park managers are great about keeping the ground clear, so you don’t have to worry about stepping in dog poop.

Finally, there’s a nice variety of site configurations and designs. Each spot is a little different so you can have a unique experience every time you stay here! There are lots of tall trees around the park too and they provide plenty of shade. Camping in Arizona has never been more comfortable.

Nearby Activities/Attractions

The RV park itself is a calm, quiet place to spend your time. There are opportunities to socialize and enjoy games, but you may need to venture out of the park if you want something more exciting. Fortunately, the nearby town of Lakeside has plenty of options to explore.

Lakeside is a gorgeous wooded area with lots of hiking trails, lakes, and rivers to visit. If you’re an outdoorsy type, there’s plenty to enjoy. You can schedule a horseback ride at the Porter Mountain Stables or Pinetop Lakes Activity Center & Stables. Hiking routes include the Blue Ridge Cave Trail, Show Low Bluff Trail, and Panorama Trail.

You can also enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and water sports at the nearby lakes and reservoirs. Show Low Lake and Scott Reservoir are popular destinations for those who want to beat the heat.

There are other attractions in the nearby town as well. You can visit the Show Low Museum to learn about local history, play a game at the Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club, unwind at Spa Estique, or shop around at La Vie Marketplace & Cafe.

Most travelers want to explore the local dining options as well. Although Lakeside is a fairly small town, there are still a few restaurants that are worth a visit. Try some of the following options if you’re feeling peckish!

• Red Devil Italian Restaurant
• Darbi’s Cafe
• Charlie Clark’s Steakhouse
• Cafe Pinoli
• The Lodge Sports Bar & Grill
• Munich Haus Grill-N-Beergarden
• Los Corrales Mexican Restaurant
• Pinetop Brewing Company
• And more!

There are also plenty of options for familiar fast food chains. Big box stores like Walmart are also a short distance away so you can stock up on snacks and meal staples there. You certainly won’t go hungry when you stay at Ponderosa RV Resort!

Reviews

Finally, let’s wrap up with a few reviews. Ponderosa RV Resort is a bit of a hidden gem and not many people seem to know about it. Those that do seem to have enjoyed their experience quite a bit.

This RV park has been open for several years, but so far it only has eight reviews on RV LIFE Campgrounds. Fans of this park commented that it was a cool and shady place during the summer. They enjoyed how clean and well-maintained the park was. Even those who had complaints said that the park managers were friendly, accommodating, and easy to get along with.

There are a few drawbacks that are worth mentioning here. The main complaint is that there are a lot of full-time residents and mobile homes around here, so it doesn’t feel like a standard RV park. Some visitors also didn’t appreciate that cable wasn’t available. If you want to read more feedback from guests, visit the park page on RV LIFE Campgrounds.

Related Articles:

• Discover The Beauty Of This Arizona State Park
• 10 Best RV Parks In Arizona For Snowbirds
• Visit The Southern Arizona Desert This Winter

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Source: https://rvlife.com/ponderosa-rv-resort-a-haven-for-rvers-in-northern-arizona/