Best Tent Camping near Raton, NM

My boyfriend and I took a 13 state journey this summer over the course of 3 weeks and this was one of my favorite campsites we stayed at. The site itself was quaint and very nice to tent camp in. The tent sites had raised platforms to put your tent on and the ground underneath was softer, so it wasn’t that uncomfortable to sleep on👍🏻10/10 would go back🏕 they had bear boxes to keep all your food and odorants in over night. They have wood for sale for fires, there’s showers up the road and bathrooms within walking distance of every site. The camp hosts were very kind and helpful.

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.

Sugarite Canyon is a Sweet Park to visit!

Campground Review:

Located in NW Raton, New Mexico... Sugarite Canyon State Park ( http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/sugaritecanyonstatepark.html ) borders the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains.

During this two month camping and hiking roadtrip, I chose campgrounds purely based on our traveling trajectory...which landed us in Raton, New Mexico at Sugarite Canyon State Park.

The Sugarite Canyon State Park (pronounced "Sugareet") was easy to locate off I-25 in Raton, (72 to 526 six miles NE straight into the park) just a few miles south of the Colorado border. The only campground area open during our mid April visit was the Lake Alice Campground, roughly 6,664 ft. elevation.

The Lake Alice Campground was perched along 526 inside the state park. Being early spring at elevation, the bare trees and bushes were barely budding, so the other three tent sites were fairly visible (four total tent sites), but nicely spaced out. Water (which, at that time, needed to be filtered or boiled by posted warning) and vault toilets were a 40 yard walk from the tent sites. The shower house was located a short drive down 526 across from the Ranger headquarters...and it had electric, modern plumbing and hot showers (however, check with hours of operation).

Gravel tent pads were raised the height of a 8-10" timber box...and roughly 7'x10' in dimension. Each tent site had a picnic table (which could be moved), a stationary and elevated metal food container, and a fire pit/grill on a cement pad. Because of the tight spaces, I felt the fire pit was located too close to the tent pad for my liking...though the wind blew favorably during our visit, keeping embers off the rainfly.

Lake Alice is a small 3 acre reservoir along the Chicorica Creek that spills from the larger Lake Maloya (120 acres). Fishing and hiking (13 miles within the park) are extremely popular in this state park, drawing daily crowds as well as an annual fishing contest. I was advised around 100,000 visit during each summer. Neighboring Colorado State Wildlife Areas, Lake Dorothey SWA (10 acre lake) and James M. John SWA are a stones throw down the gravel road, offering extended hiking and fishing.

Hiking trails from the Ranger Headquarters offer a history lesson with the remnants of the 1920's coal mining town that prospered in this canyon. Purpose to spend some time in the Ranger headquarters perusing the small dioramas depicting life in Sugarite Canyon during the turn of the 1900's. Rangers Scott and Bob were knowledgeable, helpful and knew the history thoroughly. Artifacts and photos in the Ranger Headquarters offer a tremendous pictorial history of the people and events of that era. A few original stone buildings remain intact and usable...the Post Office, which now houses the Ranger Headquarters and the Mule Barn, now the maintenance facility. Self-guided placqards line a walkway surrounding the Ranger Headquarters.

Trails vary from worn singletrack to wide service roads. Be aware of your surroundings for the wildlife that inhabits this area. Gobblers cackled on and off 24 hours, and the beautiful Towhee mountain bluebird flitted around our campsite providing a photo op.

The rushing Chicorica Creek, across the roadway, offered soothing whitenoise to the Alice Campground. There is also tent overflow on the creekside, across from Alice Campground, but no real definable sites...pretty much pitch 'em where you can.

A fire ripped through this area in 2011 with the effects still visible but plenty of lush vegetation growing up.

A hike around Lake Maloya is possible, offering great views of both the alluring waters and towering mountains. The higher elevation Soda Pocket Campground was closed during our visit. The Ponderosa Ridge/Opportunity Trail begins at the Lake Maloya spillway and offers great views (6 mile). The Little Horse Mesa Trail is a two mile roundtrip but climbs to the highest point in the park, flat and giving long mountain views. Snow was still heavy on the peaks. Elevation ranges from near 7,000 ft above 9,000 ft. with a variation of flat-top mesas to sharp peaks and lava flows.

Sugarite Canyon State Park offers numerous activities throughout the year to draw the avid outdoorsperson. Cross country skiing, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, boating (human and electric power only), hiking and picnicing.

We made the short trek over the Colorado border to Lake Dorothey and walked those trails. I read there is an annual butterfly festival there in the adjacent meadow, and one year yielded a one day count of 637 buterflies of 38 species.

Tent camping is $10 a night, in addition to a $5 park vehicle fee. Note: I would give five stars to the Sugarite Canyon State Park overall...but I dinged them one star in this review because of the Lake Alice Campground proximity to the roadway and limited amount of dedicated tent sites. Though, it won't dissaude me from coming back.

**Nearby National Park System Capulin Volcano is a must visit. Like a lone sentinal it towers alone in the high plains. We were fortunate enough to get a visit on one of the sixteen free days each year. Driving the switchbacks and circling the mountain to the parking lot just short of the peak was breathtaking. Without guardrails it is not for the faint of heart. A paved one mile walkway circles the rim of the volcano mouth...and another trail travels down into the mouth. There are pit latrines at the south end of the upper parking lot.

Gear Review: Leatherman WAVE Multi-tool

As a Dyrt Ranger gear tester, I was offered an opportunity to test the latest version of the Leatherman WAVE Multi-tool ( http://www.leatherman.com/wave-10.html ). I have used an original Leatherman folding multi-tool on my dutyrig since 1991. Before getting in too deep on the WAVE review...the Original mult-tool has undergone rigorous daily use for nearly three decades and it still looks and functions like new...so I was anxious to try the latest version of the WAVE and see if that level of quality still remains. Much has changed since the Original version...which is to be expected...and there are improvements from my son's well used military issue Leatherman WAVE.

Having the option, I chose the matte black over the brushed stainless finish...for subdued tactical reasons and anticipated crossover usage. I have attached a photo of all three of the Leatherman tools mentioned above for a visual comparison.

I had ample opportunity to use the function of each of the tools represented during my testing.

Pros

• Razor sharp knife blades
• Positive/Secure Liner-lock function
• Tight tolerances
• Reversable/Interchangeable driver bits
• Durable finish
• Great Customer Service and Warranty

Cons

• Brushed Stainless easier to clean than Matte Black finish
• Interchangeable driver bits (more to store/lose, etc)

The flat blade, while not a filet knife specifically, worked effectively on Rainbows and Browns. The saw blade made short work of saplings for gigs, tarp poles, and roasting sticks (disclaimer: no live trees were harmed in the testing of this tool). The scissors made intricate work easier and safer when my waistband button jettisoned off my Mountain Khakis (I guess too many trout, beans and s'mores)...for hasty handsewing with braided fishing line without removing said trousers.

I liked the reversable function of the removable driver bits, allowing the selection of the right size tool for the job. Enjoying the reversable function of the driver bits also brings with it a disdain for adding or keeping track of additional driver bits...not a fan of that. I also welcomed the web case and snapping that will permit attachment to any backpack, belt or Molle gear. My old leather case, though still fully usable...is extremely limited to a belt, unless jury-rigged.

As a sidenote: I have owned and used other brand multi-tools. Big box mult-tools have regularly failed and in my opinion not worth removing the wrapper. Popular named mult-tools have similar features, but use a "polymer" slide locking mechanism that I have had break or pop off, resulting in blades and tools that move and have no dependable rigidity (ie. sharp knife blade closing on gripping fingers...not good).

Overall, I believe the Leatherman WAVE mult-tool is a fantastic addition to both my tactical and outdoor adventures...and trust it will fulfill my expectations of longevity and durability as the Original.

Good small KOA. People are friendly. Gravel tent sites

First off - we tent camped in this RV heavy campground. sites were a little too close for comfort. Coin-operated showers were nice but got dirty and gross quickly. Not far from town, and lake has lots of fun opportunities.

Great fishing opportunities, and wonderful hiking all around. Close by to two towns where you can pick up provisions. Campgrounds are great for tent camping, with many right by the river. Even though some sites are close to the road, the traffic is light so we didn’t notice.

Awesome 4 tent campsites tucked away at end of parking lot. A short jaunt from vehicle to campsites so does require carrying your gear. Pretty neat. Highly recommend.

There are 3 different campgrounds within the state park. Each has their own toilet facilities while the bathhouse (aka clean, hot, free showers) is located just across from the park entrance/visitor center. Tent camping was $10/night and super easy for someone passing through - there were 4 sites available as first come first served in the morning. Three were still available at 7pm (on a Tuesday). The visitor center was great, helpful staff and you can buy ice there. There are several hikes to do and the scenery is beautiful.

Nice campground amongst pinons and juniper trees. Not your typical rows of spaces. Sites are spread out along several wandering loops.

Different size spaces and tent sites! No walk ups, must reserve online.

WalMart just south of Trinidad CO; which is full of interesting history.

Fire pits and firewood available.

Full hook ups at $41 and nine dollar park fee daily.

Lots of shore birds at the lake. Lake wasn’t visible from our site but nearby. 

This campground far exceeded our expectations. We arrived a bit earlier on a stoo over than we had planned. That gave us a bIt more tIme to explore the lake and traIils. We tent camped overlooking the lake and it was an amazing view and sunrise. The bathroom was the nicest I have seen yet in a camp. Very clean but the showers are quarters only. There is a change machine just outside though. InsIde the bathroom facilities there is also a laundry mat. It’s a great place to bring your boat and kids as there is a nice playground area as well.

Camped in a small RV in site 13 which had a fairly level gravel pad. There was a tent site, but it looked to have been washed away. This site had great views of the mountain and lake. Enjoyed the short hike on Levsa - a one mile loop with up high views of Lake Trinidad. The Carpios trail was steep and rocky. Didn't have time for the 3 other trails. Showers and Laundry nice. Saw some deer and a wild hare. Somewhat nearby is Capulin Volcano National Monument. Highly recommended.

BE PREPARED FOR HIGH ALTITUDES! Stay hydrated. Get here early. This a VERY POPULAR area. About a miles beyond the quandary Point trail head, but easily accessible to public. Not everyone will stay, but come and go all night. No phone service. Very remote if you can get a spot on the other side of the lake. Unsure how many sites, if I have to guess 15-20. You do not need 4x4 or high clearance, but will make the drive easier, as it is very rocky at points. Perfect for tent camping and disconnecting from your phone and reconnecting to nature. No facilities - Water, power, toilets.

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.

Nice, level gravel sites. Only a handful of FHU’s. Most are water/electric in the section nearest the ranger station. Lots of electric only sites in a pretty area with Great Lake views. Many tent sites. This campground has a laundry facility with 3 washers and 3 dryers. Also has vending machines with snacks and cold drinks. Restrooms are super clean. You have to pay to take a shower, it takes quarters only and based on time. There are great hiking trails and you can hike to the lake. Sites are fairly close together, and many are not long enough for large RV’s. This is an expensive park that is well maintained. We paid $41 a night for a FHU, and on top of that there is a $9 per day park entrance fee.

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.

We've lived in New Mexico (Alamogordo and Albuquerque) for 30+ years, but had never made it up north to Sugarite Canyon State Park. But on our RV trip back home from Rocky Mountain National Park, we decided to spend a night here rather in the small town of Raton(eight miles away). It's a lovely park, with some steep walls, small lakes and an interesting history. We took a few of the smaller hikes(time was limited) and the one of the Coal Camp was very interesting.

Our 29ft RV barely fit in our site, and there were some tricky branches and overhanging trees to work around. The site was fairly narrow, but I will say we were spread out nicely between the sites. We were at a site with electric(30 amp only) and water(water pressure very low, due to a lower aquafer). The dump station was nearby, but no water available by it for flushing out the tank.

Camp hosts were super friendly. It was a very easy going place. Most of the sites are pretty small, and our"small" Class A was the biggest rig there, except for the hosts' 40' RV. So if you've got a bigger rig, you might have trouble finding a site to accommodate. But for smaller RVs, I think this is a great place to stay. VERY dark and quiet at night!! A lovely and reasonably priced spot that I can easily see spending a long weekend at.

(OH, there is NO wifi and no cell signal. Be prepared to be off-grid completely! You're at least 5 miles from a signal.)

The 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!

I had the pleasure of staying several nights at Raton Pass Camp & Cafe, I wasn't disappointed at all! The views are spectacular, with a panoramic landscape! Close to town but far away to see some stars of the eve.

After a long drive from south Texas, this was my first visit to Sugarite Canyon and it definitely exceeded my expectations! The staff was friendly and helpful and the amenities were accommodating. The area is absolutely beautiful. This little park has something for everyone. Highland trails, lakes and streams, primitive and car-camping sites. Plenty of wildlife to see, birds and other critters everywhere. And of course the vistas. I will definitely be back there soon. Thanks, New Mexico!

We stopped for a night on our way from Great Sand Dunes National Park to Palo Duro Canyon, needing to dump our tanks and do some laundry after boondocking for a number of days. Raton KOA was just what we needed. The staff members were friendly, bathrooms were clean, and the laundry facilities did the job. The close proximity to grocery stores was an added bonus!

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. 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.

We traveling through Northern New Mexico on our way back to Austin. The campsite was a bit of a disappointment after so many get camps in Colorado. Cimarron Canyon is still recovering from a major wildfire with large sections of the pine forest destroyed. As you travel up the canyon the damage is less so in the State Park. The highlight here is the trout stream that runs through the camp. We stayed at Tolby Campground. The park headquarters and park rangers are based here. So it’s resource for those looking to information or assistance. The campsite has a nice day use area with lots of parking excellent restrooms with for ADA. The camp host was very personable and welcomed each of the guests as they came in throughout the day. You had a mix of families and retirees at the camp enjoying the summer retreat. They firewood for sale as well. Our big grip was the lack of privacy and the size of the sites and campground itself. The sites are right next too each other and many of the huge 5th wheel RVs were running generators all day and night while others were lighting fires in the rain and smoking out the campground. It’s only $10 per night to camp here. So it may be an option for those looking to do some fishing and perhaps visiting in the week when the site isn’t completely full. The road is also very close and trucks can be heard all day long. I can’t recommend this place based on our experience, the condition of the sites,and the location.

Capulin RV Park is a pretty nice private RV park across the highway from the Capulin Volcano National Monument entrance road. We stayed one night. Some of the sites are shady. The park streets and sites are crushed limestone. The park was clean and quiet. The sites are very close together; fortunately, it was not full and we had room. Restrooms and showers were clean (did not use shower). Amenities include: common fire ring with seating and view of volcano, swing with view of volcano.

Stayed in pull-thru campsite #25 which had evening shade and level. It was a crushed limestone site. There was barely enough parking for my 34 ft TT. Neighbors are VERY close. Utilities: 20/30/50A electric in middle of site. Water in middle of site, good pressure. Sewer in middle of site with 4-in screw-on fitting.

AT&T had two bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 36.6 Mbps down, 7.5 Mbps up. Free WiFi is available, but did not use it.

The town of Capulin, NM is very small. The closest restaurant is The Sierra Grande Restaurant in Des Moines, NM, which is open year round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other restaurants and fast food are available in Raton and Clayton.

Would stay here again.