Paliza
Paliza Campground sits beneath sandstone cliffs on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. The area is replete with culture, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. Ample recreation opportunities exist at or near the campground, which makes it a wonderful outdoor destination.
The group site has its own page: Paliza Group Campground.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 21 |
| RV, no hookups | 5 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| Host/management | 12 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
30 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Tent only | Back-in | 10 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | Tent only | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 005 | Tent only | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 43 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 42 | Paved | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
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 | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There is no water. The campground offers a variety of sites available for tent and RV camping. Picnic tables, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are accessible vault toilets. Roads within the campground are paved.
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. |
| Forest | Santa Fe National Forest |
| Booking | This campground is first come-first serve facility. No reservations are accepted. |
| Fees | $15 per for a single unit campsite. Only two (2) vehicles and up to 5 people are permitted at a camp site. |
| Rules | Dogs must be leashed at all times while in campground area. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the town of Ponderosa, New Mexico, travel 5 miles northeast on Forest Road 10 to the campground.
| Nearest town | Jemez Springs, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 35.7042° N, 106.6258° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireFrijoles
46 mi from the campground · 15,956 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedStone Angel Fall Rx
50 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGolondrino Rx
50 mi from the campground
- PrescribedLower Kirtland Rx
50 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 ↗ | 20.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Land of Enchantment RV ↗ | 33.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 34.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Campground Tour; Paliza Family Campground; Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Worth a stop
The campground is located five miles northeast of the town of Ponderosa, New Mexico, an area known for its vineyards and winery with a tasting room. The Jemez Pueblo and the Walatowa Visitor Center, both of which provide rewarding cultural experiences, are just 11 miles from the campground in the town of Jemez. The quaint community offers shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a variety of recreational opportunities.
- 5.2 miSpanish Queen Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 5.3 miBluffs Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 5.5 miRiver's Bend Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 6.6 mi
- 7.7 miJemez Falls Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.3 miEast Fork Trailhead #137 ↗Trailhead
Show all 7Hide
- 12.6 miVolcano Discovery Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 4.5 miPeralta Ridge3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
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
- 10.2 miKasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 5,403 acres
- 12.7 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 newly refurbished campground sits in a forested area at the top of a hill with views of the Jemez Valley below. It was originally the site of a 1930s Civilian Convservation Corps base camp. Remnants of that camp, including log lean-to's and adirondack shelters with rock fireplaces, can be found within the campground. A small stream runs alongside the campground and sandstone cliffs on the nearby mesas provide excellent photographic and sightseeing opportunities. A small tract of private land is located north of the campground and common courtesy is appreciated.
Recreation
Hiking, wildlife viewing and scenic drives are some of the popular activities enjoyed near the campground. Striking views of an ancient volcanic crater amid the rolling hills, can be seen from the Cerro Pelado Scenic Overlook, about 11 miles from the campground. Off-road vehicle trails and numerous hiking and mountain biking trails surround the campground.
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?
Sites at Paliza are reservable on Recreation.gov. This campground is first come-first serve facility. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Paliza?
$15 per for a single unit campsite. Only two (2) vehicles and up to 5 people are permitted at a camp site.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Paliza?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Paliza open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Paliza have?
42 sites, including 21 standard sites without power, 5 RV sites without hookups, and 4 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Paliza?
The longest site here provides 50 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?
Yes, pets are allowed at Paliza. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Paliza?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Dogs must be leashed at all times while in campground area.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Paliza?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Paliza?
Hiking, wildlife viewing and scenic drives are some of the popular activities enjoyed near the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Paliza?
Jemez Springs, New Mexico. The campground is located five miles northeast of the town of Ponderosa, New Mexico, an area known for its vineyards and winery with a tasting room.
Source: Getting there
What if Paliza is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Paliza Group Campground (0.7 mi), Vista Linda Campground (5.4 mi), and Jemez Falls Campground (7.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby