$26
Palisades Horse Camp
Total sites: 12
Available Today: 12 FF*
Available this Weekend: 12
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 12 FF*
Available this Weekend: 12
Booking Window: 6 months
8,759 ft
76°F
46°F
46°F
no signal
San Juan National Forest › Pagosa Ranger District › Colorado
› Archuleta County
› Pagosa Springs
› Palisades Horse Camp
Palisades Horse Camp, CO - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Palisades Horse Camp is located in the Pagosa Ranger District, San Juan National Forest (2 hrs 42 min northeast of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 8,759 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 36 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $26.00 to $52.00. Activities include hiking trails.
Campsite Reviews (29)
4.1 out of 5
| 5 star | 59% | |
| 4 star | 21% | |
| 3 star | 7% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 14% |
@TiffanyB887410 · Camped on Jul 6, 2024 at Campsite #10
Great place to camp with horses off the grid. Very large pens. Bring your own water and electric, there are 2 spigots but too far away for most of the pens . Trails right from camp. Williams creek runs just behind camp.
@lauram1165586 · Camped on Jun 5, 2024 at Campsite #4
This campground actually had spigots that connected to hoses so you wouldnt have to carry buckets of water across camp and even uphill like the other 3 campgrounds with corrals in Colorado on this site. Palisades had level parking areas for trailers, 12 x 24 pens, manure rakes, buckets, and dumpsters, campfire/grills and a picnic table. Theres also a pit toilet and a big community stock tank in the middle of camp (but it was empty the beginning of June when I was there). The campground host hadnt moved in yet, but a host from another campground checked in daily. Theres a beautiful running river next to camp, a marshy area I explored beside it, and 2 trails that go straight uphill (from 8300) that can be accessed without trailering. The climbs were very steep for my flat lander horse. Trout and elk abound. I had the place to myself 3/4 days.
@janete5837233 · Camped on Aug 23, 2023 at Campsite #5
Campground was nice. Horse pens were muddy. Only 2 trails close to camp. Both were steep, rocky and lots of ledges. Not my favorite type of riding. Had planned on staying 5 nights but left after 3 due to lack of trails.
@MitzieSAE9AB17 · Camped on Aug 22, 2023 at Campsite #2
Beautiful camp! Nice size sites pens were sturdy. Vault toilets were very clean. 2 water faucets in camp.
@MarkV8262617 · Camped on Aug 5, 2023 at Campsite #3
Just need more shade for the horses and tables..It was so hot but we love riding out there...Thank you
@LauraR9755561 · Camped on Sep 23, 2022 at Campsite #9
Have been going to palisades horse camp for years. Pat our camp host was the best ever at any camp I’ve ever stayed at. She was amazing and showed us a trail we had never found before. She’s an amazing woman and kept us very informed on all the trails and were attentive to our needs.
Laura Rome
Laura Rome
@RussellK334280 · Camped on Sep 10, 2022 at Campsite #2
Clean, quiet and well maintained
@MindyP1475361 · Camped on Sep 2, 2022 at Campsite #3
Had a wonderful time at the Palisades horse camp. Very nice facilities and great host. It’s wonderful to be able to ride the horses, paddleboard at the lake, and go for a nice hike all from one absolutely gorgeous location.
@KimF3194839 · Camped on Aug 27, 2022 at Campsite #2
The campground was excellent! The campground host was absolutely incredible!!! One of the most well-maintained campgrounds we've ever been to. Thanks for a great stay. Williams Creek Trail is very rocky for the first 3/4 of a mile so be prepared for that if you don't typically ride in rocky areas. Cimarrona Trail is a a better trail in and of itself, but is a steady incline for several miles. Need to be in shape (riders and horses) to make this an enjoyable ride.
@MaxineD2330489 · Camped on Aug 9, 2022 at Campsite #7
Lovely view trails 2000 ft elevation gain in 5-6 mi. 2 large pens ankle deep mud due to lots of rain. We had good riding weather. Shoes or good boots necessary due to rocks. Lost 1 boot. Boggy in spots. Spectacular rock faces
@FredoniaL90538 · Camped on Aug 5, 2022 at Campsite #12
There is 20 miles of dirt road before you get to the campground and it is pretty rough. The campground was beautiful, bathrooms were very clean, and water was within reasonable distance. The trails were pretty good and the scenery was awesome! The small chance of rain turned into a large hailstorm for us one day while riding. I suggest you screenshot the weather for your stay before you leave Pagosa Springs. The corrals are nice but stay very wet because you get a small shower almost daily. The only thing the campground needs to be perfect is a shower house!
@LisaB5569950 · Camped on Jul 31, 2022 at Campsite #7
Ms. Pat, the camp host, was wonderful!
@royg7033343 · Camped on Jul 25, 2022 at Campsite #10
Camp Host, Pat was very helpful and a job to visit with. Restrooms were always clean. We had a fantastic time and would highly recommend this location for anyone interested in enjoying the nice mountain weather and great. Trails to ride on.
@JonathanT52932 · Camped on Sep 3, 2021 at Campsite #12
This is a sad story, because this site is usually one of my favorites in the San Juan Wilderness. The road repair owned by the forest service just before the turn-in to the site had removed the cow grate. Herds of cows wandered through the camp for what looked like a long time. They defecated in all the campsites and on the site road. The situation was made worse by rains that created mushy ponds of manure as land mines throughout the that we stepped stepped on in the middle of the night. We woke up to cows grazing in front of our tents and in our campsite.
@JonathanT649 · Camped on Sep 3, 2021 at Campsite #12
This is a sad story, because this site is usually one of my favorites in the San Juan Wilderness. The road repair owned by the forest service just before the turn-in to the site had removed the cow grate. Herds of cows wandered through the camp for what looked like a long time. They defecated in all the campsites and on the site road. The situation was made worse by rains that created mushy ponds of manure as land mines throughout the that we stepped stepped on in the middle of the night. We woke up to cows grazing in front of our tents and in our campsite.
@RichardP464 · Camped on Aug 16, 2021 at Campsite #7
We were scheduled to stay from Monday, August 16, 2021 and leave Friday the 20th. When we first arrived at our site, there were several loose angus cows mulling around. They eventually left. However, by Wednesday morning there were at least 50 head not just at our site, but throughout the campground. Apparently, this has been going on for some time now. They are intimating toward horses that are used to trail riding and not round-ups! One of our horses got so freaked, she was a nervous wreck and couldn't be ridden. We had to leave abruptly on Wednesday morning since more cows had invaded the camp ground even though we chased them swing ropes, etc.. It appears that the rancher ("SMS" ? brand) is aware of the problem and periodically comes by on horseback with dogs and rounds them up. So we drove 11 hours from Tucson only to have our trip cut short. Meanwhile the rancher gets aware with grazing not only on public lands, but ruining it for those who pay to get away and enjoy some time in the saddle. There really isn't much the camp host can do.
@RichardP563677 · Camped on Aug 16, 2021 at Campsite #7
We were scheduled to stay from Monday, August 16, 2021 and leave Friday the 20th. When we first arrived at our site, there were several loose angus cows mulling around. They eventually left. However, by Wednesday morning there were at least 50 head not just at our site, but throughout the campground. Apparently, this has been going on for some time now. They are intimating toward horses that are used to trail riding and not round-ups! One of our horses got so freaked, she was a nervous wreck and couldn't be ridden. We had to leave abruptly on Wednesday morning since more cows had invaded the camp ground even though we chased them swing ropes, etc.. It appears that the rancher ("SMS" ? brand) is aware of the problem and periodically comes by on horseback with dogs and rounds them up. So we drove 11 hours from Tucson only to have our trip cut short. Meanwhile the rancher gets aware with grazing not only on public lands, but ruining it for those who pay to get away and enjoy some time in the saddle. There really isn't much the camp host can do.
@PattieM287 · Camped on Jul 23, 2021 at Campsite #2
Lynn is a wonderful host.
We have been going there since before the camp was built. To bad the dispersed camping in the area isn't policed for people holding it and not using it.
We have been going there since before the camp was built. To bad the dispersed camping in the area isn't policed for people holding it and not using it.
@KitzelF702 · Camped on Jul 19, 2021 at Campsite #2
Beautiful Location, well kept camp, with safe and solid corrals for the horses.
@LarryH850 · Camped on Jul 5, 2021 at Campsite #4
Overall the camp was in very good condition. Was fond of the crushed rock in the corrals. It packed into my horses hooves.
@ElizabethG629 · Camped on Jul 4, 2021 at Campsite #8
The horse cam is in a beautiful setting with 2 large sturdy corrals for your campsite. You will have to haul water from 1 of 2 water spigots though for a little workout while you enjoy the beautiful riding. The 23 mile gravel road in is in terrible condition and you will have to drive about 10 mph unless you want your trailer to rattle apart! Worth it though!!! I will be back
@BobbiH662 · Camped on Jun 27, 2021 at Campsite #6
Camp was lovely, camp host was very nice. Trails were great!
@VernJ240 · Camped on Sep 24, 2020 at Campsite #2
Every thing was very neat and clean! Marci, the camp host is a very nice and helpful person.
@lisac320 · Camped on Sep 7, 2020 at Campsite #5
Loved the place! Best host ever’! Love you, Marci
@AmandaM498 · Camped on Jul 16, 2020 at Campsite #4
Beautiful campground!
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