Paliza Group Campground
Paliza Group Campground is found north of the small community of Ponderosa, surrounded by ponderosa pines and views of the stunning cliff faces of majestic mesas. There are two group areas within the campground, with walk in and drive in sites found separately in each loop. The group campground generally opens in mid-May and closes in October. It’s location is ideal for enjoying quiet, star filled nights as it is far away from major cities. The Jemez National Recreation Area is a short drive away and providesmany opportunities to enjoy the Santa Fe National Forest.
This is the group site. Looking for the main campground? Paliza, 42 sites, is 0.7 miles away.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico · group sites in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
2 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | Owl Loop Drive-In Sites | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No / – | 100 / 8 | Yes | |
| GS2 | Red Tail Loop Walk-In Sites | Back-in | 24 | Paved | No / – | 35 / 8 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 24 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Owl Loop sites have paved driveways along with standard campsite amenities like a fire ring grill, picnic table, lantern post, and gravel tent pads. There is a large outdoor picnic area for the Owl Loop and comes with pedestal grills, a ramada, picnic tables, and plenty of room for large gatherings. The Red Tail Loop sites are walk-in sites, but the parking is close by with additional parking for RVs and trailers available. Red Tail Loop sites have a picnic table, fire ring grill, lantern posts, and gravel tent pads provided, with a gravel walkway connecting all the sites. There are recently renovated vaulted toilets found in both loops.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to November |
| Forest | Santa Fe National Forest |
| Fees | Site #1: Owl Loop/Cost is $100 per night for up to 100 people. Site #2: Red Tail Loop/Cost is $75.00 per night up to 40 people. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the town of Ponderosa, New Mexico, travel 5 miles northeast on Forest Road 10 to the campground.
| Coordinates | 35.6972° N, 106.6342° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Paliza Group Campground is not far from NM Highway 4 and the popular Jemez National Recreation Area.
Fire nearby
- WildfireFrijoles
46 mi from the campground · 15,956 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedLower Kirtland Rx
49 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Juniper Campground Dump Station ↗ | 21 mi |
| RV sales & service | Land of Enchantment RV ↗ | 33.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 33.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The East Fork of the Jemez National Wildand Scenic River can be accessed nearby. The Valles Caldera National Preserve is conveniently located north of Forest Road 10 on NM 4. An impressive geological formation known as Battleship Rock is worth stopping to look on NM 4, north of the town of Jemez Springs. The town itself has art created by locals, hot springs, and a restaurant for those not wanting to cook.
- 4.9 miSpanish Queen Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 5 miBluffs Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 5.1 miRiver's Bend Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 6.8 mi
- 8.3 miJemez Falls Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.9 miEast Fork Trailhead #137 ↗Trailhead
Show all 7Hide
- 13.2 miVolcano Discovery Center ↗Visitor center
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Santa Fe National Forest.
- inSanta Fe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,681,851 acres
- 10.5 miKasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 5,403 acres
- 13.3 miDome Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,185 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
The short driveway from Forest Road 10 to the group campground is scenic, with riparian trees changing to towering ponderosa pines as the road climbs in elevation. Spectacular views of the surrounding mesas and clear blue skies are hallmarks of this campground. The dark greens of the conifers stand out against the bright yellows of flowering chamisa in the summer, and the yellows and reds of fall foliage provide a variety of scenery through the seasons.
Recreation
Scenic day hikes, hot springs, and historical landmarks can be found nearby. Fishing is popular on the nearby San Antonio Creek with plenty of fishing sites available.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Paliza Group Campground?
Sites at Paliza Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Paliza Group Campground?
Site #1: Owl Loop/Cost is $100 per night for up to 100 people. Site #2: Red Tail Loop/Cost is $75.00 per night up to 40 people.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Paliza Group Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Paliza Group Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Paliza Group Campground have?
2 sites, including 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Paliza Group Campground?
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Paliza Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Paliza Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Paliza Group Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Paliza Group Campground?
Scenic day hikes, hot springs, and historical landmarks can be found nearby. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Paliza Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Paliza (0.7 mi), Vista Linda Campground (5.1 mi), and Jemez Falls Campground (8.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby