🌲Helpful hints🌲

  • Watch your odometer to follow the miles you have driven on forest service roads
  • Playa Ponderosa can be found via google maps, but the directions are only accurate if mapped from the forest road starting points of the directions below. Mapping from any further out from Playa Ponderosa can suggest directions that are un-passable. *DO NOT map from Phoenix or I-17, you will 🤷‍♀️get lost atleast 100% of the time🤷
  • Download the Avenza app to your phone and the Coconino National Forest Service map within the application to reference a detailed forest service map.

Download 🖨 Directions

Directions to Playa Ponderosa From Phoenix using the I-17

~ Shortest route from Phoenix

Go North on I-17 from Phoenix, AZ
Pass Munds Park

  1. Exit the I-17 at Kelly Canyon (Exit 331). Turn right onto Forest Service Rd 700H
    Continue 1.8 miles
  2. Turn right to continue on Forest Service Rd 700
    Continue 8.4 miles
  3. Turn left onto Forest Service Rd 133
    Continue 3.5 miles
  4. Turn right onto 9410 R (Playa Ponderosa Driveway)

Directions to Playa Ponderosa From Downtown Flagstaff

~ Shortest route from Flagstaff

Head south on S. Lake Mary Rd. to Lake Mary Rd (CR 3)

  • Search for Lake Mary Water Treatment Plant
  • Continue 4.1 miles past the water treatment plant
  1. Turn right on Forest Service Rd 132
      • First right turn after the wooden Coconino National Forest sign. This is labeled Crimson Rd and has mailboxes and a wildfire risk sign
      • Some map applications will refer to portions of FS Rd 132 as interstate 17 NB or FS Rd 762

    Continue 12 miles

  2. Turn right onto Forest Service Rd 133
    Continue .8 miles
  3. Turn left onto Forest Service 9410R (Playa Ponderosa Driveway)

Directions to Playa Ponderosa From Phoenix through Payson (AZ-87 Highway)

~ Most scenic route from Phoenix, AZ and shortest distance on forest service roads
~ Best quality forest service roads (few rocks or dips in the road)

Go North on the AZ-87 out of the Phoenix valley through Payson
Continue on AZ-87 / AZ-260 W out of Payson through Pine and Strawberry

After Strawberry continue on North on the AZ-87 / AZ-260 W
Continue 19.5 miles

Option 1

  1. Turn Left onto Lake Mary Rd (Forest Highway 3)
    Continue 27.1 miles
  2. Turn Left onto Mormon Lake Rd (County Road 90)
    Continue 7.9 miles
  3. Turn Right onto Wiemer Springs Rd (Forest Service Rd 132)
    Continue 7.9 miles
  4. Turn Left onto Forest Service Rd. 133
    .8 miles
  5. Turn Left onto Forest Service Rd. 9410R (Playa Ponderosa Driveway)

Option 2 / Dotted Line Route

  1. Turn Left onto Lake Mary Rd (Forest Highway 3)
    Continue 32.7 miles
  1. Turn Left onto Mormon Lake Rd (County Road 90)
    Continue .9 miles
  2. Turn Left onto Mormon Lake Rd (County Road 90)
    Continue 7.9 miles
  1. Turn Left onto Forest Service Rd. 133
    .8 miles
  2. Turn Left onto Forest Service Rd. 9410R (Playa Ponderosa Driveway)