4.4164 reviewsPrice
$10 - $29/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$10 - $29/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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13308 West US Hwy 160 Del Norte, CO 81132
Fly fishers and kayakers get the most out of this spot: the Rio Grande runs trophy trout, and the campground doubles as a put-in for rafts and kayaks. Grab a river-facing site early afternoon on a weekday and you'll have canyon walls, cottonwoods, and clear water right outside yo
Highway 149 runs close enough that road noise reaches the highway-side sites, and trains pass occasionally at night. If silence is non-negotiable, or if arriving mid-afternoon on a summer weekend isn't realistic, this 12-site first-come-first-served camp will frustrate you.
Reference information about Palisade Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Located right on the Rio Grande River, this is the only campground in the canyon between Creede and South Fork. It is located adjacent to Colorado Highway 149 for easy access to travelers passing through. Active railroad tracks bisect the campground. Highway 149 runs along the northeast side of the campground and there is no screening between the two. There is some highway traffic year-around and occasionally a scenic railroad excursion passes through the campground. Some of the 12 sites are out in the open, while other sites are screened with cottonwoods/aspen/spruce/fir. There is a vault type toilet with lights that is accessible to the handicapped. Firewood is not provided but may be gathered on Forest lands in the area. There is ample overflow parking near the entrance sign. A host is usually stationed at the campground. Fishing, and rafting are popular on the river. This is a popular area and heavily used in the summer. It tends to stay full from mid-June through August. Early afternoon arrival is recommended. The Rio Grande is considered a Trophy Fishing River and is very popular with rafters.</p>
The elevation is 8,300 ft. The campground is a single loop plus a spur with most sites along the Rio Grande. Some sites are open with no shade while others are nestled under large cottonwood trees. The Rio Grande is considered a trout fishing Trophy River and is also very popular with rafters. A parking area within the campground is used by local rafting companies and groups can be seen (and heard) floating by the campground several times a day. The campground is popular - early afternoon arrival is recommended.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
The water spigot is a hand pump.
Put-in for rafters and kayakers.
The parking aprons are gravel. A RV waste station is available next to the Rainbow Grocery at intersection of US Rt. 160 and State Rt. 149 in South Fork, CO.
From South Fork, CO, take State Rt. 149 west 7.3 miles to campground sign. Turn left into campground.
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Memorial Day through Labor Day brings daytime highs around 65-80°F and nights that drop into the mid-30s to mid-40s. This is when the boat launches operate and river access is easiest. Wildflowers peak during this window, and wildlife sightings are common. Holiday weekends get crowded. Arrive by early afternoon to claim a site. Fall brings gold aspens before snow closes access roads, typically from late fall through spring.
Peak season: concessionaire, boat launches and full services operate Memorial Day–Labor Day; warm days, cool nights.
Palisade Campground offers a variety of amenities to provide a comfortable camping experience. The campground features a total of 12 sites, some of which are open and sunny while others are shaded under cottonwoods, aspen, spruce, or fir trees. Restrooms with vault toilets and lights are available and are described as exceptionally clean by multiple reviewers. Potable water is available during the summer season through a hand pump, but it is not provided in the shoulder/off-season. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, and additional overflow parking is present near the entrance sign.
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