Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Eagle Nest, NM

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. 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.

This is one of the nicest state parks we have visited. 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. This is one of the most beautiful places in Northern New Mexico and well worth the visit. The campground caters to the RV and boating community. They have first class facilities including two boat launches, group meeting venues, and a huge visitors center. The facilities are well maintained and have been recently upgraded. The sites are spacious but exposed with no tree cover or privacy. The view more than makes up for these negatives. The altitude of the site provides for a nice summer climate and a frozen winter park near top class downhill skiing. You will need to make reservations well in advance to get a spot at this popular venue. They are typically full throughout the weak. They have fresh water taps throughout the site, a dump station, and nice site toilets and showers.

Amost all the sites have a lake view, with little obstruction from other sites. There is plenty of room between sites, allowing for a level of privacy. There are no trees, but the views make that OK. If you want to fish, go to the marina on 64 ( leave the park and turn Left…on the left side about 1/4 mile down). You'll pay $17 for a day, but you can buy more days. Don't think you can get a way with no license, you can't! Even on weekdays, the officers checked. Still, great fishing and almost a guarantee that you will catch at least one trout.  

As for hiking there are great hikes within 45 minutes, toward Taos and Angel Fire. Stop by the Eagle Nest Visitor center off 64 for a map or two. We hiked the South Boundary Trail, off the El Nogal trailhead just outside of Taos, off 64 W. 

I recommend the Taos Mothership Brewery in El Prado (20 min drive from the trailhead) for a beer and nachos. If you have a dog with you, great patio area. 

We enjoyed the quiet of Eagle Nest Lake and the availability of a nice walking trail and great trout fishing. We will go back!

We visited here for a week in October and loved this area. The topography is unmatched! The RV sites were so beautiful and ample. 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!!

Perfectly located on a picturesque a beautiful lake with the Sangre de Cristo mountains as a backdrop. The drive into the park isn’t that impressive, but it just makes me more appreciative of the beauty of this place, which is set behind several RV/trailer parks. The campground is small with ample space between sites. Each site has a gravel pad, covered picnic table set on a concrete pad and with a view of the serene and pristine lake. There’s a pier and boat ramp, a day use area and an office/store. The campground gate closes at night, with an on site ranger. 

Awesome wildlife in the area. The deer would come by every evening and the prairie dogs were constantly entertaining. There’s a hiking trail worth checking out too.

This was the perfect place to spend the Fourth of July holiday. The parade in Eagle Nest was perfect small town America! Must see in the area is the Vietnam Veteran’s Museum, the Cumbres & Toltec railroad and nearby Chama and Angel Fire.

We 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!

The National Forest Service campground is located on highway 64 between Angel Fire and Taos New Mexico. The site is just a few feet off the highway next to a small creek. They have about a dozen small campsites along the creek with privacy between the sites. The sites are very basic and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. The location had availability during the summer peak season. The site is self serve pay and does not have a camp host. The location may be a good option for those looking to visit Taos which is about 30 minutes away. I gave this a low rating due to the condition of the sites which needed basic maintenance and cleanup. The site was also far to close to the highway to enjoy a good camping experience. I think this is the type of place you use as a last resort while in transit to Taos or Eagles nest.

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.

I grew up going to this campsite almost every summer, so this review may be a little biased. The campsites are great, specially for tent camping. There are some big spots for RVs but those get pulled quickly. The campsites are a little close together, but I have never had any problems. The facilities are nice enough as well.

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. I like to walk up and down the river to find some good spots that are a little quieter. The ponds fill up with quite a few people now.

You will need to bring everything you need. There are not any stores really close by, you will have to go to Cimarron ot Eagle Nest to stock on supplies if you are missing anything and they can be 30 minutes away. There are also no big box stores in these towns so things close down early.

If you have a pet and want to overnight versus stay at the Casitas, it’s just a short walk to the spa and hot springs (20% discount). RV/campsites offer simple flat overnight spaces and picnic benches. On-site showers too.

Eagles Nest Lake State park campsites are pretty wide open like the valley it is in. There is a nice cement pad with an awning and fire pit. Not much else and I wouldn't recommend it for tent campers. There were a few people braving the cool nights and crisp mornings. Water available when you drive in and that is about it. So plan on boondocking. Our site was level and drive through. The drive through sites are not huge so if you have a big rig you might want one of the back in sites. The sky was beautiful at night with the milky way visable. If it wasn't so cold I would of been taking photos. Access to the lake is a relatively short walk and may change if the lake wasn't so low.

FREE campground! Large relatively flat grass lot with garbage cans and picnic tables. 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. There was only one other camper that showed up when we stayed here. Lots of wildlife and pets allowed on leash.

This park isn't really meant for camping in my opinion although you can. I would find a nearby state park to camp in (Cimarron Canyon) and just visit the lake and town. If you have a camper, this one would be ok. The bathrooms are pretty nice and the scenery is awesome, but it doesn't really feel like camping. Eagles Nest is awesome though, and you are a short drive to Angel Fire, Red River and Taos. The fishing is great on the lake too, specially if you have a boat. If not, you can rent one from the local shop and even take a guide if you want. Trolling for trout is the best way to catch lots of fish in my opinion. You can also snag for Salmon during the spawn. Overall, great place to visit but I would find another camping spot nearby.

Not a bad setting. Surrounded by mountains, yet you are really in the city of Taos. Prices are fair, pull through with Electric and Water $43.00. The landscape is really cool, fits the New Mexico motif. A little noisy in the morning with the barking dogs in the surrounding neighborhood. We felt safe with no problems.

At $55/night I initially was a little skeptical. What is worth $55/night to pitch a tent. The owners here showed me. They really go above and beyond making each campground unique, hospitable, and artsy. There’s solar powered lights that come in at night that give just the right amount of festive touch without overdoing it or being too bright. There’s solitude yet connectedness. The spit we’re at, #3, is perfect for tents. Huge fire pit, great huge log benches, an awesome campfire cooking set, a charcoal grill as well, portapotty, trash can, water, and even a small welcome packet with cards and dish soap. It’s a lovely and thoughtful place. Just a hint of glamping - the perfect amount in my opinion. We’ll be back for sure. Oh the animals! How could I forget!?!?!? My daughter would come back for the pigs, goats, horses, cats, chipmunks, prairie dogs, and assorted other animals as well.
The owners are over the moon wonderful. Can’t say enough. One of the best camp sites I’ve ever been to.

Our first time in New Mexico and obviously Angel Fire! Stayed here with friends that have been coming since it opened! Highly recommend!!

This campground holds a land of beauty and is a must go to if you are in the New Mexico area, highly recommended!

If your wanting to get out and play in the snow or explore more in depth the beautiful culture of New Mexico, Taos has a little for everyone