Best Equestrian Camping near Cimarron, NM
The Horse Corrals Group Area at Sugarite Canyon State Park features designated spaces for equestrians and their horses just 50 minutes northeast of Cimarron. The park accommodates equestrians with trailer parking, water hookups, electrical connections, and access to sanitary dump stations. Sites in the horse area include fire rings where campfires are permitted, with firewood available for purchase. Shower facilities are accessible to all campers, providing essential amenities for multi-day equestrian stays. Reservations are required for the equestrian camping area, allowing riders to secure space for their horses and camping equipment in advance. McCrystal Campground, located in a remote area west of Cimarron, also attracts horse campers with installed horse corrals at select sites. The campground is popular among equestrians and hunters seeking a quiet backcountry experience.
Located within Carson National Forest, these horse-friendly campgrounds provide access to numerous riding trails through diverse terrain. McCrystal Campground sits about an hour from Cimarron on gravel roads, offering level sites with good separation between camping areas. Horse campers frequently observe wildlife in the surrounding valleys and meadows, with elk herds commonly spotted in early mornings. Valle Vidal trails connect to both campgrounds, allowing for extensive riding opportunities through mountain meadows and forested areas. The road to reach these equestrian sites becomes wash-boarded during dry periods, making high-clearance vehicles advisable when towing horse trailers. Bears are known to frequent the area, particularly around McCrystal Campground, so proper food storage is essential when camping with horses.