Palisades Horse Camp

Pack your bags and a saddle to come camping with your steed at Palisades Horse Camp. This puptacular facility sits at 8,300 feet in the San Juan National Forest. There are eight single and four double campsites with back-in or pull-through units. The larger spots are $48 per night. You'll find a corral or hitching post and a feeding trough at each location. Other amenities include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and water for you and your livestock. Set up camp among the forest and enjoy the scenery.

You'll have stunning views of the mountains and meadows around here. The trailhead for the Williams Creek Trail is right outside the campground. Follow this 10.2-mile pathway on foot or horseback as you travel by the river on your way to the Continental Divide. Enjoy exploring the wilderness and stay alert for area residents like moose and bears. The Cimarrona Trail is another puptacular route in the region. Climb about 3,000 feet from the starting point to Squaw Pass in the Continental Divide. Try your luck fishing for Kokanee salmon and trout in the stream or at Williams Creek Reservoir nearby. Spend your evenings counting the stars as you gather around the fire ring.

In addition to your larger four-legged friends, Fido can also camp with you at this facility. The Forest Service requires that you restrain your furry pal with a leash or other means of control when in the campground. On some trails, they can be off-leash if they're under voice control. Remove their poop and throw it away to leave no trace of your visit.

Only campers who bring horses or mules may use the Palisades Horse Camp. Spend time riding through the forest wilderness as you enjoy the scenery. Bring feed for your mount when you come here -- grazing is not allowed. Practice bear safety by storing food and garbage in secured containers.