Best Equestrian Camping near Raton, NM
Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Raton? Camping with your horse in Raton just got easier. These scenic and easy-to-reach Raton campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Raton, NM (4)
1. Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Raton, New Mexico7 Reviews•25 Photos•13 SavesThe nature enthusiast will appreciate the abundance of wildlife, birds, butterflies, and wildflowers among the lakes, creeks, forests, and meadows. Nearly all outdoor recreation activities are possible: Fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Group
- Equestrian
$10 - $30 / night
2. Cimarron Campground
Red River, New Mexico10 Reviews•46 Photos•152 SavesOverview
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.
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.
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
$22 / night
3. Purgatoire Campground
Weston, Colorado6 Reviews•17 Photos•51 SavesOverview
Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce.Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.
Recreation
The North Fork Trail # 1309 is located on the north end of the campground and offers non-motorized access to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The 5-mile trail delights with mountain vistas and shade from forested terrain. The river, which is creek-sized at these upper reaches, provides opportunities for anglers to cast for trout.
Natural Features
The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River. Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby towns of Stonewall and Cuchara offer shopping and restaurants.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
$23 / night
4. Mccrystal Campground
Ute Park, New Mexico1 Review•5 Photos•20 SavesThese 55 sites in Valle Vidal elk/bear country are a great hunting, hiking, fishing destination.From the town of Cimarron, drive 5 miles northeast on Highway 64 to Cerrososo Canyon.__Follow this canyon approximately 21 miles to the Valle Vidal Unit Boundary. The route is__marked by signs. From the boundary, travel 7 miles on Forest Service Road 1950. These__graveled roads are not maintained during the rainy season and may be passable only with a__four wheel drive vehicle.
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Toilets
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Raton
24 Reviews of 4 Raton Campgrounds
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Bill
Guide
Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Very easy to get to off of I-25
Traveling from Denver to Southern New Mexico, this is a nice stopping point. Very easy to get to off I-25.
Pit toilets are very clean. Unfortunately the camper next to me had his generator running the whole time until 10 pm. Even when they left their camper for the day. Very annoying. Other than that it was a quiet campground. The campground is less than half full (Tuesday night).
Note: The park office closed at 4. The sites are reservation only and there is no cell service. The sign at the gate states that you need to drive down the road to get cell service and make a reservation. Also the gate closes at dusk, so make sure you get there before then on your first night. After that you can get the combination to get in after dusk.
The campground staff were very friendly and helpful.
Mary C.GuideSoda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Sugarite Canyon Soda Pocket
Nice state park tucked into a valley. We were in the last part of Soda Pocket loop. Great views of area but it does catch the wind! Vault toilets were super clean and not smelly. Very dark at night so great for star viewing.
- MMatt B.Guide
Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Perfect for a Weekend
This State Park is beautiful, with hiking/fishing/historic walks galore. We arrived late on Friday, June 23 after a 10 hour drive from Arkansas. We were in Site #23 in the Soda Pocket Campground. Every site had a covered picnic table and was relatively level.
Sites 20-23 have spectacular views of the canyon, but you trade that for some serious wind and neighbors as there is no natural shade. Sites 1, 3, 14 and 16 have shade and a little more distance. Bathrooms were in great shape, and there is a free shower near the park entrance which had good water pressure and was very clean.
The visitor center is small but with a lot of good exhibits, and adjacent to the hiking trails of the abandoned coal camp and mine. The coal camp trails have lots of informative stands explaining what everything was, how the people lived, etc. The two lakes (Lake Alice is more like a pond) have nice walking paths. There is another lake just across the Colorado border and you can drive to the parking area just a mile or so away.
There are numerous nature hikes, and I did the short (.5) miles Vista Grande Nature Trail which has a beautiful bench for a sunrise view. Uphill some but not too strenuous and with lots of information.
A really beautiful hike is the Little Horse Mesa Trail which takes you to the top of the mesa you can see to the north of Soda Pocket Campground. It meanders a bit but at some point the trail builder said "I've given you all the switchbacks I can, you'll just have to go straight up" and the last 50 yards are pretty much straight uphill. When you get to the top though it's like another world. It's a pasture like setting with trees, and beautiful views from a trail that follows the cliffs. You'll have to make your own way over to the Lake Maloya overlook but it's well worth it. Highly recommend this.
The camp hosts and visitor center people were great, and the ranger came by one night and showed a group of kids a mountain lion pelt and a bear pelt. There was a report of bears on the road up to Soda Pocket Campground but we did not see any. The road was a typical dirt road, and not in bad shape at all.
I'm not a fisherman, but could easily spend two full days here hiking alone, much less fishing or kayaking Lake Maloya.
- ddrew
Traveler
Cimarron Campground
Great remote time
Took my boys camping and had a great time. We went June 2 and the water was not on yet. The facilities were very clean and the staff agent was present and available. We had no issues. It is a long way down a dirt road but well worth the drive to be remote. No cell service at the camp site but a short 5 min drive back to the first cattle guard allowed for service to multiple cell providers. A short beautiful hike to the ponds allowed for some fishing for the kids. All artificial lures and barbless hooks. It’s not glamping but is some great camping!
Fred S.
LegendSoda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Soda Pocket Campgound Review
Made advanced reservation for site 17 in Soda Pocket Campground. Driving up the unpaved road to this campground was no problem. Site 17 was in a corner by itself, distant from other sites. It's a pull-thru site. Level enough for our campervan. Nice patch of nature behind the site. Site has a shelter over the picnic table. Site also has a bear box & fire ring. Trash & recycling receptacles at campground. Two vault toilets; very clean with toilet paper. No potable water. Restroom/shower house across from state park visitor center is very good. Fantastic camp hosts at Soda Pocket. Park law enforcement ticketed a rowdy group of campers. Nice hiking trails in state park. Fishing opportunities in park.
Ken M.Traveler
Mccrystal Campground
Remote camping with plenty of wildlife to see
A remote location and popular with horse campers and hunters. The campground has sites with horse corrals installed. The campground was quiet and mostly clean. There are pit toilets on site and well maintained. Level spots with good separation. Nice hiking accross some flat lands and a smal creek runs near by. Early one morning we saw a herd of elk down in a valley near a turn out off the road. Bears frequent the area trying to raid the garbage bins during the night. Makes tent camping a bit unnerving. If you want to explore the area, this is good place to camp. It takes an hour to get to the campsite on a graveled road off the highway out of Cimerron. 25mph was best speed to go to handle the washboard road to the campsite.
Jade T.TravelerCimarron Campground
Beautiful!
We stayed July 1st-5th, 2021. Beautiful location in a place I wasn’t expecting it to be sooo green! Very relaxing and remote as there is zero service. It was perfect & exactly what we were looking for. Vault toilets are well kept and within good proximity to most sites. The grass was about knee high, so yard games/ activities weren’t possible. The hiking trail to the lake was reasonable and not too inclined/strenuous. It rained only in the afternoons but everyday.
- KKathy W.Guide
Purgatoire Campground
Purgatoire Site #8
This was a beautiful peaceful camp ground. Very quiet. It has a pit toilet which was decent - better than having to use or portable. No cell phone service.
- JJeff T.
RangerPurgatoire Campground
Fantastic high mountain FS campground
I can understand rating this campground low if you were hoping to find a Ritz Carlton at the end of the 4-mile rough road, but if you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place! The worst we can say about it was that we visited in the height of mud season and it made leveling our rig a little tricky as the levelling blocks kept sinking in the soft Dyrt under the weight of our wheels, but we eventually figured it out. There was snow on the ground and snow flurries during our visit. We basically had the whole campground to ourselves on a mid-week evening, maybe two others in the entire campground. Our rig is 28' long, and if the place had been more crowded we may have had trouble finding a spot long enough for us, but given how empty it was we had our pick of multiple sites that worked. Overall a very cool spot off the Highway of Legends. If you're in the vicinity of the Spanish Peaks and looking for some great mountain camping, this is your place!
- JJeff T.Ranger
Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Soda Pocket - worth the drive up the mountain!
We stayed at Soda Pocket in mid-May 2022. Actually we had reserved site 06 in the Lake Alice campground, because it was full hookups, but upon arriving at Lake Alice we confirmed what another reviewer had said - it's a tightly packed campground, very close to a busy road and not close to the lake itself. On top of that, there was a boil water notice for the water hookups, and to top it off, the utility hookups for Site 06 are on the *Wrong* (i.e. the passenger) side of the rig, given the orientation of the driveway for backing in. Put all that together and we decided to forego our reserved site and see if we could do better up at Soda Pocket on top of the mountain. The campground host at Lake Alice warned us that the road up to Soda Pocket was treacherous and without guardrails, but we disregarded this warning and took our chances...
Man are we glad that we did that! The view from Site 23 was incredible of the canyon below. And we arrived just as a thunderstorm was passing to our east, and witnessed an incredible double rainbow over the canyon. The pics don't even do it justice. There's great hiking and viewpoints from Soda Pocket, and the so-called "treacherous" road up to the campground is gravelly and a bit steep in a few places, but very passable (there was a Class A rig up there, and a number of 30+ ft 5th Wheelers as well). The sites were well spaced, and Site 23 was fairly level and wide, easy to back in. It looked like Site 18 is a nearby pull-through site that still offered nice views even though it's situated more in the middle of the campground circle.
Overall this state park was extremely cool, kind of off the beaten path, and well worth the visit! Check out Soda Pocket, it's worth the drive up the mountain!
- GGreg K.
ScoutPurgatoire Campground
Good camping spot
Liked the camp spots (ours was 14). Mark (the camp host) kept everything clean. Beautiful star viewing. 4 mile dirt road was a bit rough bringing my camper. Verizon coverage had 1 bar at the south end.
- Angie S.Guide
Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Great Campground
We very much enjoyed our time here. It was beautiful. A dry campground with no hookups and no water (water is available at the lower Lake Alice campground and showers st the park entrance). Vault toilets were clean, sites nicely spread out with covered picnic tables, fire circles and bear boxes to store your food and supplies. Highly recommend!
- eemoryScout
Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
Amazing Campground
Amazing site with all of the amenities. Nice, clean bathrooms and SHOWERS! Gazebo over the picnic table to help you out if you visit during monsoon season like us. Best sites 22-25 with beautiful views overlooking the canyon. Potable water across from lake Alice Campground. Firewood for $5 from campsite leaders. Rangers and campsite leaders are so nice and even gave us dishwashing soap when we forgot ours! No problem with bugs or animals and site was PERFECT!
Stephen K.GuideCimarron Campground
lovely hidden gem
We stayed here over July 4, 2021. The campground was mostly full until Sunday (July, 4) and then cleared out. It stayed quiet even when full, though. 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 rains.
There were pit toilets which were clean, but flies at them got thick as the day warmed up. Flies and mosquitoes were rare at the campsite, though. The campsites were large and surrounded by trees. A few of the outer loop had nice, partial views of the meadow.
There's a nice easy/moderate half mile hike down to the Shuree Ponds which were stocked with trout. it seemed a fair amount of people would drive to the larger of those two ponds for day use fishing. The smaller was reserved for kids's fishing. Both are classied as "Green Chile" waters so only flies or artificial lures with a single, barbless hook are allowed. 2 fish limit.
The area looked like a mecca for wildlife, but we only saw 3 deer in our hikes to and from the ponds and then a muskrat at the pond.
- JJen M.Traveler
Cimarron Campground
Good homebase for exploring the Valle Vidal
This is 1 of 2 options for campgrounds in the Valle Vidal area. It is on the West side of the preserve and is equine friendly. This is a large campground, with 36 camping sites. We stayed at #24 which had a nice partial overlook to the opposing valley, mountainside.
This campground is well loved, but clean and my only gripe is the pit toilets are old and in need of replacement. The host did keep them as clean as possible with odor control devices in the stalls.
Our campsite had a very worn and splintering wooden picnic table that really needed replacing. We brought a table and sat at that with our 2 small children.
Overall it is quiet and peaceful with amazing stargazing at night.
There is a walking trail at the back of the campground to get to Surree Ponds. I would say it is of medium difficulty as there is a precarious creek crossing, and it is uphill the whole way back to camp. The view you can get from the meadows and the ponds are gorgeous at sunset.
Word of warning, the road to get here from Amalia becomes very wash boarded. It is a long road to get here and is wash boarded the whole way. The drive through Rio Costilla Canyon is gorgeous and if you only can go that far it is well worth it.
Bryan P.TravelerPurgatoire Campground
Average at Best
Didn’t stay here but visited it while in the area to review and also scout for next trip to the area. Not sure how the listing can state fresh water when there isn’t any. This is a very basic and primitive campground so don’t expect too much.
- Keri F.Guide
Purgatoire Campground
Mountain Isolation
No access to electric or water. Road to camp is rough. Beautiful scenery. Short drive to Chucara and Stonewall.
- Terry R.Traveler
Cimarron Campground
Quiet secluded campgrounds miles from civilization.
There is trout fishing near by. Miles of hiking and an abundance of wildlife, we watched several herds of Elk down in the valley on one of our hikes. We had deer roam through our campsite, they could care less that we were even there. The kids had a few streams to keep them busy. We were there the week of the 4th of July 2016. The weather was great we had a short shower just about every evening but nothing bad.
Mike S.ScoutPurgatoire Campground
Elk hunt camp
Camp site is basic. Simple sites, some with a better set up for tents than others. It was late in the season but the outhouse was still open. There is water from the stream, I didn't see a fresh water spigot.
phillip L.LegendCimarron Campground
Wonderful
The sites here were absolutely wonderful. When I came there weren't much camper. There are around 36 campsites all included with a grill, tables and showers. You really have your privacy and is so beautiful at night. They recommend you don't burn the firewood there because some sort of insects live in there. The nearest gas station is about a half hour ride away and is where we bought ours. The sunset was so pretty and in the morning it get pretty chilly
- KKimberly S.Guide
Cimarron Campground
Many campsites available
There were 36 sites and they were all well kept
Ricky B.GuideCimarron Campground
Great Campground, Long Drive
This campground is really seclusive. Miles of dirt road to get to with beautiful green grass on the way. It doesn't open until the first of July sometime because elk are caving and they don't want people to bother them. The road can be tough if it is raining a bunch, but worth the trip if you have time. Campgrounds are secluded, definitely bring everything you need because you are over an hour from a good store. Lots of good hiking and potential to see wildlife. It will also be cold at night, so be prepared. Great spot!
Dusty G.RangerCimarron Campground
Stunning!
Carson National Forest in Cimarron is absolutely beautiful. We hiked near Shuree Ponds and camped between Ash Mountain and Little Castillo Peak. The weather was all over the place, but the views were stunning. Bear precautions are necessary. Water was plentiful as the streams and creeks were rapid with snow melt. We will absolutely be returning!
- WWill S.Scout
Cimarron Campground
Awesome Camp Ground!
I have driven through this canyon more times than I can count. The area is beautiful! The drive through the Palisades (huge Sand and Limestone faces that line the canyon wall. The camping in the area is also quite good. The vault toilets are consistently clean and the area is quite friendly.
Guide to Raton
Horse camping in New Mexico offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse camping, adventurers can enjoy the great outdoors alongside their equine companions.
Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities
- Mccrystal Campground provides horse corrals, ensuring your horses are secure and comfortable during your stay.
Campers appreciate these amenities for horses
- Cimarron Campground features spacious sites that are perfect for setting up your horse camping gear while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.
Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails
- Soda Pocket Campground offers access to numerous hiking trails, allowing you to explore the area on horseback and take in breathtaking views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Raton, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Raton, NM is Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park with a 5-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Raton, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Raton, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.