wildernet

Divide Ranger District

Quick Facts

Palisade Campground

Elevation:	8,300 Feet (2587.3 Meters)
Length of Stay:	14 Days
Number of Sites:	13
Reservation Remarks:	The campground is operated under a reservation system. You may make reservations up to 120 days in advance of your first night of arrival or as late as 10 days prior to your arrival. This system ensures a campsite will be available and waiting for you u
Reservation Status:	Accepted

General Description

This is the only campground between Creede and South Fork. It is located adjacent to Colorado Highway 149 for easy access to travelers passing through. However, Highway 149 runs along the northeast side of the campground and there is no screening between the two and there is heavy highway traffic year-around.

Some of the 13 sites are 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, but not to those in wheelchairs. Garbage cans are centrally grouped, but you must pack your own out after Labor Day. Firewood is not provided. There is ample parking.

A host is stationed at the campground and campfire programs are presented periodically in the summer. This is a popular area and heavily used and tends to stay full from mid-June through August. There is fishing in the Rio Grande River, as well as other water sports. It is also near Creede and South Fork.

Directions from Creede, Colorado: Travel 12.1 miles southeast on Colorado Highway 149 to campground entrance.

Directions from South Fork, Colorado: Travel 9.5 miles north on Colorado Highway 149 to campground entrance.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend (NOTE: Very popular and heavily used. Campground remains full from Mid-June through August. Campground hosts stationed in campground. Could close earlier due to snow.) .

Fee Information

Type	Price	Remarks
Camping, Single Unit	Call for Current Fee	Parking spur, table, fire ring

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Open Updated: 2000-05-09 10:50:00.0

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Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Second stay. Palisade is an easy campground, about 7 miles north of South Fork on Hwy 149. It's right between the highway and the Rio Grande river. The highway traffic is minimal and won't disturb your sleep. Very scenic and lots of stars at night. I've never paid a fee at Palisade (camp in September). You'll be camping right on the Rio Grande. RV's work for dry camping; some sites are pull-thru. Last visit: 9/13/99.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Other Watercraft	Good rafting and tubing put-in points on Rio Grande River.	No
	RV Camping	30 foot maximum length	Yes
	Tent Camping	Some sites open, some screened	Yes
	Camping	Palisade Campground	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Rio Grande River, ample parking	No

Nearby Services

Gas Station: VARIOUS PRIVATE CONCERNS IN SOUTH FORK (Private - Profit) Directions: 9.5 MILES SOUTH OF CAMPGROUND.

Groceries: RAINBOW GROCERY STORE (Private - Profit) Directions: 9.5 MILES SOUTH OF CAMPGROUND.

Other Attractions: VARIOUS PRIVATE CONCERNS IN SOUTH FORK. (Private - Profit) Directions: 9.5 MILES SOUTH OF CAMPGROUND.

Related Activities

La Garita - Phoenix Park-Halfmoon Pass Trail - Excellent scenery, a bounty of wildflowers and a good opportunity to see elk exist along this trail. Large open alpine meadows with scattered patches of old growth spruce/fir timber are a common part of the landscape.

Middle Fork Trail - The trail provides a direct route to Machin Lake via the Middle Fork of Saguache Creek. Attractions are fishing in the lake and creeks, a waterfall midway, diverse wildlife, and excellent scenery.

Rio Grande River - The Rio Grande is a popular rafting area. Because of shallow water and many boulders, the river is better suited for rafting than canoeing and kayaking

Wason -Wheeler Trail - Excellent views of Creede and several historic mines provided along the first 2.0 miles of this trail. Breathtaking scenery is enjoyed while standing at Inspiration Point.

West Bellows Creek Trail - Opportunities for good fishing exist along West Bellows Creek, but camping areas are rare in this drainage. Views of spectacular cliffs and rugged country can be seen while hiking up the narrow canyon.