About this campground
The facility has a parking lot and deck, along with the interpretive center, and is maintained by the Santa Catalina Ranger District. The Visitor Center is where people can gain a brief introduction to the natural and cultural history of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Mount Lemmon. The material and staff available are there to ensure that the visitors will have a safe and enjoyable stay and will treat the natural resources with respect and appreciation. The Palisades Visitor Center is located adjacent to the parking lot. The staff provides information about trails on the mountain, as well as answering questions about plants and animals common to the area. Books, mementos of Mount Lemmon and Southern Arizona and inexpensive maps of Mount Lemmon and the surrounding area are offered for sale through the Public Lands Interpretive Association. Free Forest Service information is also available in the bookstore.
Getting there
The Palisades Visitor Center is located at milepost 19.9 on the Catalina Highway.
Activities
- VISITOR CENTER
Nearby federal campgrounds
- San Francisco Hot Springs #250 TrailheadGila National Forest121 mi
- Little Whitewater #214 TrailheadGila National Forest125 mi
- Sheridan Corral #181 TrailheadGila National Forest125 mi
- Bird Sanctuary #745 TrailheadGila National Forest126 mi
- Catwalk #207 TrailheadGila National Forest127 mi
- Gold Dust #41 TrailheadGila National Forest127 mi
Explore more New Mexico camping
Palisades Visitor Center doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby New Mexico campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse New Mexico camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.