Best Cabin Camping near Cimarron, NM

We stayed at this site on the way back to Texas from our Colorado trip this summer. This is a great National Forest Campground south of Taos in the Carson Forest. The campground is just off the highway and situated in a beautiful mountain pine forest and next to a great trout stream. You have great shade during the hotter summer months. It’s far enough away from the highway that you don’t hear the traffic. It has a huge meadow and group camp site which look fantastic. The individual sites have some privacy between the sites and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. We made a reservation but the camp had a number of open sites in the peak summer season. The highlight here is the proximity of great hiking to nearby lakes and fishing in the trout stream. They had great facilities including clean pit toilets and some historic log cabins. They have a camp host and the sites accommodate tents and smaller vans and campers. I would give this another visit on our next trip to NM.

A large campground at the foot of the southern San Isabel mountain range. When you first drive in there are secluded tent spots, then small cabins. There are many spots all around the lake, with large tenter sites on the opposite bank of the lake. We set up amongst the trees in a relatively open spot but there weren’t many campers there so it was no problem. Had a view of the lake and a vault toilet nearby (it was pretty disgusting). Clean showers/toilets on other side of lake. No picnic table on site, but it did have a box grill and a fire pit — burn ban was in effect though. A little stream nearby. Camp store, restaurant, boat rental on site. In all we were thankful for a spot in the summer with no reservations.

4k River Ranch is the best campground in Red River. They've got RV sites, apartments, cabins and a beautiful penthouse in the center of town overlooking the town and mountain. The Red River runs through the park, so you can fish in it or in the stocked private pond. The have 50amp & 30amp sites. Pull-thrus, back-ins & buddy sites. WiFi is good for checking emails and browsing websites. Very nice bathrooms with showers plus a laundry room. The staff is fantastic and they've got a really nice new office/store. They're building new cabins along the Red River plus a new pavilion for family gatherings along with a playground for the kids.

I had been boondocking up in the mountains in the rain all week and needed FHU to recharge.

Can't remember the price I paid, but it was very reasonable.  Minutes from state park, lake access, and Eagle Nest.  Close to Angel Fire as well.

Owner was super nice and invited me to come to the clubhouse for some chili - which was excellent!

Views were shockingly good.  Because of the weather I felt like I was in the Scottish highlands or something, not New Mexico lol.

Could use this as a stopover or a legit home base to explore surrounding areas.

Great spot for group camping of 20-40 campers. Nice shaded/wooded area for primitive tent camping with plenty of space to spread out. Gorgeous open meadow at base of camp area perfect for group games, sports. 1930s cabin with tables for meals and cooking under shelter. Campfire ring and outdoor table. Vault toilet. Beautiful views of Sangre de Cristos and Carson National Forest. Trail to Indian Lake is an easy hike of 2.5 Miles each way and perfect for families or hikers with the need for low-impact trails. There is an awesome swimming hole just a few miles west on Hwy 518 past Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort—worth the short drive!

Only a few cons—water onsite is listed as potable but smells and tastes so strongly of sulphur that it cannot be tolerated for drinking or cooking. Make sure to haul in water. Also tent camping area in woods is not level so there will be some incline. Important for those with circulatory issues.

This is your quintessential mom n pop RV stop in all the right ways. Owners are super helpful in guiding us to our site (which is necessary as there are some spots that are a tight squeeze). They have a great restaurant attached that we utilized for breakfast. They have live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and a farmers market that set up on property on Wednesday if i remember correctly. A lot of full time residents and everyone was so lovely and helpful. Eagle Nest Lake is literally across the road and a wonderful trail to walk or bike. We definitely will stay here anytime we are back in the area.