Cimarron, NM is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that New Mexico camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near Cimarron, reviewed by campers like you.
"Pit toilets and recycling at the entrance. The lake was completely dry but has fishing and trolling motor boats only allowed when there is water. Very quiet place to stay the night."
"Easy access and camping adjacent to a dam overlooking a lake."
$15 / night
"Cimarron Canton State Park is a wonderful place to stay, right on the Cimarron River. Bring your fishing gear and license for some relaxing fishing."
"This campsite sits on the edge of a road next to two little ponds that are great for trout fishing. The river runs next to the ponds and you can find a few fish there too."
$15 / night
"Beautiful spot next to a stream and within short walk of maverick trail. Fire ban right now."
"The campground itself is nothing to write Mother about, but the short walks in and around it are beautiful!"
$25 - $50 / night
"We needed a spot to stay and found a happy location at Hikers Cimarron Inn & RV Park. Their reservation system on their website was easy to use and navigate."
$25 / night
"Eagles Nest is about 19 miles west of Taos near the Carson National Forest. The campground is on the west side of a beautiful lake I the town of Eagles Nest."
"Perfectly located on a picturesque a beautiful lake with the Sangre de Cristo mountains as a backdrop."
$60 - $96 / night
"The resort has fire pits, pickleball courts, large dog park, putting range, walking path, laundry facilities. It is also close to several towns. One that you can ride your bike too."
"We enjoyed the dog park with our furry buds and enjoyed the hikes around AF. So much to do in this area. Some of it was shut down during the pandemic, but this place is top notch!!"
$15 / night
"We stayed here on the way to Taos New Mexico. The canyon is along highway 64 in between Cimarron and Taos. The Cimarron Canyon State Park runs for about 8 miles along the base of the canyon."
"Site #30 was probably the other best one as it was in the back and last camp site and right next to the water. Only downside to that one is father back to walk with camp gear."
$22 - $40 / night
"Carson National Forest in Cimarron is absolutely beautiful. We hiked near Shuree Ponds and camped between Ash Mountain and Little Castillo Peak."
"I wondered how rough the roads were, but driving from Castillo to the campground and then on to Hwy 64 east of Cimarron on 1950 was all very doable in a Subaru Ascent towing a trailer despite some heavy"
ScoutI give this campground 2 stars - one because it is a lovely spot and two, because it is well-maintained considering its remoteness. The other 2-3 stars it may well have deserved were blacked out by the sheer numbers of outright rude and inconsiderate campers.
The drive into the canyon is, indeed, bumpy but doable in a high-clearance car or SUV. There is no cell service. The campground is near the river but does not have river access - it is possible to get to it but the stickers make it extremely uncomfortable, especially if your bring your pooches. There are some places to walk and see both the ruins of the Mills orchard homestead, as well as access the river, but walking was made very unpleasant by the numbers of trucks, ATVs, and motorcycles zooming by - very loud and lots of dirt in the eyes and mouth.
Not sure if it's the "COVID camping" phenomena but the campground was full to near-full the 3 days, 2 nights we camped there. During that time there were multiple very large groups (10-16 people) of people pulling in and out. One group from Texas brought along very loud 50cc motorcycles and large ATV/Side by sides for their kids, who would make rounds around the campground loop, sending plumes of fine dirt into all of the campgrounds around the loop, not to mention the noise. Another large group of trucks from Texas pulled into the campsite next to ours and literally drove 6 vehicles into the actual camping spot and proceeded to then set up tents all the way into my spot -- loud music, loud talking, loud wood chopping, 4:30 am trucks in and out (I suppose they were driving to the bathroom, which was about a 2 minute walk away). I was forced to sleep in my car, instead of my tent thanks to the noise and the fact that I was not comfortable sleeping with a bunch of strangers who didn't seem to care that I had already set up there. As I packed up the next day and was checking my campground for trash I noticed theirs was strewn with it - I considered cleaning it until I noticed it was mostly used toilet paper.
Camping in New Mexico is amazing and one of the reasons I live here. I don't understand why people need to come to the middle of nowhere to be obnoxious, ruin the experience for everyone else, and trash the place in the process.
Until the COVID camping phenomena ends, expect the worst.
LegendWe stayed here on the way to Taos New Mexico. The canyon is along highway 64 in between Cimarron and Taos. The Cimarron Canyon State Park runs for about 8 miles along the base of the canyon. The park has 4 small roadside campgrounds which have good facilities and camp hosts. The sites aren’t the best but the nightly fee is only $10. We found room at two of the camps during the summer peak season without a reservation. The canyon has suffered from major wildfire events in recent years, especially on the eastern side. The forest is in better shape as you rise in elevation closer to Taos. The elevation is around 7500. So the temps stay fairly moderate even in the summer. The Cimarron River runs through the canyon with great fishing as well.
GuideWe really like this RV Park! The spaces are wide and angled enough to allow for great views! There are no trees, so you will be using your AC and awning when it’s hot out. Sites were quite level and hookups are easy access. There are both full hookup sites and water and electric only sites; there is an RV dump. Laundry, restrooms and convenience store are still closed due to Covid - much of New Mexico is still this way. It is right off Highway 64 which has a minimal amount of road noise, but provides easy access.There’s a Pet Resort across the road where you hear dogs barking in the distance in the mornings. They do need to start working on weed control before the weeds get out of hand. Each of those negatives are so minimal, I still rate this as a five! Wide spaces and good views are always strong points in my reviews!
GuideCimarron Canton State Park is a wonderful place to stay, right on the Cimarron River. Bring your fishing gear and license for some relaxing fishing. Some of the sites are immediately adjacent to the river. My favorite campground is Tolby, the Westernmost. It has a Ranger/Information Station in the east end of the campground. It has flush toilets and sinks, but no shower. This is my favorite, because I love to hike and backpack. Just south across Highway 64 from the campground entrance is the Tolby Trailhead. The Tolby Trail takes you all the way back to Tolby Meadow on an excellent trail. A good spot for overnight tent camping. Tolby campground is also just minutes from Eagle Nest, NM and within easy range of Angel Fire, Red River, and a little less than an hour from Taos.
There are two other campgrounds for RVs, Maverick and Ponderosa, as well as one more for tent camping. Maverick sits right next to a pair of gravel pit lakes for added Fishing opportunities. Ponderosa is across the street from that, but is more like a parking lot with painted camping slots around its perimeter.
In the town of Cimarron I recommend dining at the Historic St. James hotel (very haunted) or lunch at the Creemee. Stop in at the headquarters of Philmont Scout Ranch for the National Scounting Museum and a Tour of the Villa Philimonte (Waite Phillips’ mansion). Also recommended is the Tooth of Time Traders at Philmont. It’s a camping/hiking store that is like an REI.
If you’re coming via Raton, the Colfax Tavern between Raton and Cimarron at Cold Beer New Mexico is a great place to stop for food and drinks.
GuideThis park was a great choice. Tucked in a canyon with a stream running through it, we secured a spot on the water. Large pine trees, tiered spots, walking distance to the cute town of Red River.
Small gift shop with very few items, no firewood for sale that I could see. Friendly staff, dog park, fishing, deer come in every night
ScoutThis RV resort has beautiful views of the mountains. Angel Fire RV Resort has beautiful grounds, the bath houses and very nice and modern, very nice hot tub, beautiful clubhouse. The resort has fire pits, pickleball courts, large dog park, putting range, walking path, laundry facilities. It is also close to several towns. One that you can ride your bike too. This is a A+ resort for TV camping.
LegendThe Raton KOA is conveniently located off I-25 in Raton, NM. The campground offers of a mixture of back-in and pull through sites that are a mix of mostly live gravel and dirt. Most sites have 20/30 amp service, water, and septic hookups, although less expensive sites with fewer amenities are also available.
The campground offers a fenced in dog park where the pups can run off leash. There is also a nice grassy walking path around the perimeter of the property with trash cans and dog waste stations positioned every 100 yards.
The campground owner, Grant, is great to work with. He helped us get setup with the park WiFi and was super responsive to any questions we had. Don’t forget to ask him for the WiFi access code when you check in!
ScoutTrashy trailer park with spots for rv travelers. We needed a spot for the night after spending a good part of the day dealing with new Mexico roads. Dog poo everywhere so if you step out if your rv, I suggest removing your shoes before reentry. Paid $45, worth about $10.
LegendStayed in spot R1 which is pretty small/crowded in, but near river and trees. Lovely duck and geese ponds and river walk, also dog park. Clean restrooms and showers but no changing stalls in either mens/womens shower. Very quiet and affordable. Near to grocery. Grounds are well-kept and healthy & green (lots of trees, shrubs, beautiful walk by river). Sorry pics are a bit washed out, doesn't do it justice.
Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Cimarron, New Mexico, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cimarron, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cimarron, NM is Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
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