San Juan National Forest

USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-4874

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
970-385-1257

Palisades Campground

The Palisades Horse Camp is located north of U.S. Highway 160 on Piedra Rd. (CR 600) at the end of Williams Creek Road just past the Cimarrona Campground on FSR 640.

The campground has 8 single sites and 4 double sites that have both pull-through and back-in units. Each unit has camp/tent and use pads with wheelchair accessible tables and fire ring. Each campsite has either a hitching rack or a four-unit stall with feed manger. There is potable drinking water and water for livestock in tanks. The campground has vault toilets.

A trail connects the horse camp to Williams Creek Trail (587). Trailhead elevation is 8,360 feet. Campground is very close to Williams Creek. After the water at the horse camp is winterized, horses can be watered in this creek. There is a parking area at the trailhead that accommodates 14 horse trailers and 20 standard passenger vehicles. Hitching posts, unloading platforms and restroom are provided.

The horse camp was developed as an alternative to nearby dispersed camping which did significant damage to the surrounding meadows and streamside wetlands. Camping will be allowed only within developed campgrounds (Palisades, Williams Creek, Teal and Cimarrona) and at two dispersed campsites that will be designated with signs as open to camping.

The camping closure area within the upper Williams Creek area will extend from the Forest Service RV dump station at the intersection of FDR 640 and FDR 631 to the Williams Creek Trailhead. The closure will extend ¼ mile on either side of FDR 640. Camping is not allowed at trailheads.