Cimarron Campground

Carson National Forest

Cimarron Campground is located in the scenic Valle Vidal within Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, at an elevation of 9,300 feet. The sites are tucked among spruce, aspen and fir trees, and the camp offers an open range feel.

Visitors have opportunities to enjoy a variety of recreational activities in a picturesque setting. Viewing wildlife and simply relaxing in the mountain air are popular activities.

The campground contains 36 overnight campsites, which includes eleven horse sites and one double site. Vault toilets are provided.
Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Horse corrals and water troughs are available in the campground. A host is on-site.

Notifications and Alerts

• Cimarron Campground will remain open for camping WITH NO services as long as weather permits. Please remember all pack it in pack it out practices.

Need to Know

• Standard Single Family sites: Recreation Use Fee allows ONE camping unit ONLY.

• Extra Vehicles: Cannot be paid for in advance - upon arrival coordinate with the host for payment and where to park.

• Campground is remote. The nearest gas station or convenience store is approximately 29 miles away in Costilla, NM.

  Access roads may have sharp rocks and gravel: bring a spare tire and changing tools.

• Opening and closing dates are weather permitting, please call 928-537-8888 for more information.

• FIRST COME FIRST SERVE sites must be booked in person. DO NOT call to determine availability, as they are only available on-site.

• NOTES: Horse facilities are available. Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the campground.

• Bears frequent the area: please obey all food storage rules and regulations. Check with your host for details.

• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

• This site is pack it in pack it out. No trash services here.

• CURRRENTLY THERE IS NO WATER AVAILABLE AT THIS CAMPGROUND.

• Click here for more information about Carson National Forest

Natural Features

Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres within the Carson National Forest. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico.

Big game animals roam the Carson, including mule deer, elk, antelope, black bear, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Many species of smaller animals and songbirds can also been found in the forest.

Cimarron Campground is located within the beautiful Valle Vidal, a Spanish term meaning "Valley of Life," of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Shuree Ponds, Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo are all near the campground, offering excellent fishing.

Recreation

Anglers can fish for Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo. Nearby Shuree Ponds offers excellent fishing. The smaller pond is a fishing hole for kids 12 and under. The main pond is stocked with rainbow trout and is also popular for float tubing.

The area around the campground is open to horseback riding, and there are few maintained trails. Elk and deer hunting is excellent.

Contact Information

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 575-586-0520

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Driving Directions: From Costilla, NM, on State Highway 522, travel east on State Highway 196 past Amalia to the intersection of Forest Service Road 1950. Travel on 1950 (a gravel road) east to the unit boundary. Follow Forest Service Road 1950 to the junction with Forest Service Road 1900. Turn right; you will cross Costilla Creek. Continue on Forest Service Road 1950, 10 miles to the junction with Forest Road 1910. Climb 1 mile up the hill to Cimmarron Campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 026, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop Loop A, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric

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