Palisades Horse Camp
Palisades Horse Camp is located 30 miles north of Pagosa Springs, high in the San Juan National Forest. This beautiful area has excellent horseback riding and hiking trails and an abundance of wildlife.
This equestrian campground offers single- and double-family campsites to campers with horses. Corrals with feeding bins are provided. The corrals are divided into two sections with room for two to three horses on each side, depending on horse temperaments. Hitching racks are set up throughout the campground and a water tank is on-site.
Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A campground host is on-site, and is very knowledgeable about the area.
Notifications and Alerts
Palisades Horse Campground summer season closes September 29th and reopens on September 30th at 1/2 price (winter rate - $14.00/night) with only restroom amenities available. This campground will be First Come First Served. Please place your payment (cash or check only) in the envelope, sealed in the fee tube. Pack your trash in and Pack it Out! No trash service available. Guests may contact the Bayfield Ranger Station during this time for more information (970)-884-2512.
Need to Know
- Campground allows Horses and Mules Only; no exceptions. No llamas or other livestock. Campground is for equestrian campers only
- Grazing is not allowed in the campground; bring adequate certified weed-free feed
Campers are responsible for keeping their corrals clean throughout their stay and when they depart
- Double sites have a divided corral for a maximum of 4 to 6 horses; single sites not sharing a corral can accommodate a maximum of 4 to 6 horses; single sites sharing a corral can accommodate a maximum of 2 to 3 horses
- This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.
- Click here for more information on the San Juan National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Sites 6 and12 share a corral/stall. The corral is divided down the middle so the horses are separated, but will be in the same corral. Each site has a capacity of 2-3 horses.
Natural Features
The campground is nestled in a stand of pine, spruce and fir trees, and sits at an elevation of 8,300 feet. The area provides panoramic views of the surrounding meadows and mountains. Williams Creek flows nearby.
The surrounding forest provides a prime wildlife habitat. Bears, deer, elk and moose frequent the area.
Recreation
Hiking and horseback riding trails are the main attraction at Palisades. The Williams Creek Trail leads directly from the campground into the Weminuche Wilderness, crossing the Continental Divide.
Changes & Cancellations
Cancellations
Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
No-Shows
A no-show visitor 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. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Refunds
Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.
Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Contact Information
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Pagosa Springs CO 81147
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Pagosa Springs, at the intersection of Highway 160 and Piedra Road/County Road 600, turn north and drive approximately 23 miles to Williams Creek Road/Forest Road 640. Turn right and drive approximately 7 miles to the campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 001, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
