Can you reserve a site at Cimarron Campground?

Yes, Cimarron Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Cimarron Campground?

180 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Cimarron Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cimarron Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Cimarron Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Cimarron Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Cimarron Campground — 36 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

Facilities

The campground contains 36 overnight campsites, which includes eleven horse sites and one double site. Vault toilets are provided.
Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Horse corrals and water troughs are available in the campground. A host is on-site.

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.

The facts

36 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 180 ft
Up to 16 people per site
Loops: Loop A, Loop B

Site types

25 Standard Nonelectric
11 Equestrian Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

36 campsites at Cimarron Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
001	Loop A	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	44 ft	8	🐾
002	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	44 ft	8	🐾
003	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	39 ft	8	🐾
004	Loop A	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	44 ft	8	🐾
005	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	40 ft	16	🐾
006	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	41 ft	8	🐾
007	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	180 ft	8	🐾
008	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	38 ft	8	🐾
009	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	43 ft	8	🐾
010	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	36 ft	8	🐾
011	Loop A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	32 ft	8	🐾
012	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	44 ft	8	🐾
013	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	27 ft	8	🐾
014	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	40 ft	8	🐾
015	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	32 ft	8	🐾
016	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	36 ft	8	🐾
017	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	34 ft	8	🐾
018	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	36 ft	8	🐾
019	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Moderate	70 ft	8	🐾
020	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	40 ft	8	🐾
021	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	52 ft	8	🐾
022	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	42 ft	8	🐾
023	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	36 ft	8	🐾
024	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	38 ft	8	🐾
025	Loop B	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	61 ft	8	🐾
026	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	53 ft	8	🐾
027	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	24 ft	8	🐾
028	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	38 ft	8	🐾
029	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	44 ft	8	🐾
030	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	34 ft	8	🐾
031	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	45 ft	8	🐾
032	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	70 ft	8	🐾
033	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	65 ft	8	🐾
034	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	38 ft	8	🐾
035	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	35 ft	8	🐾
036	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	28 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

Driving Directions: From Costilla, NM, on State Highway 522, travel east on State Highway 196 past Amalia to the intersection of Forest Service Road 1950. Travel on 1950 (a gravel road) east to the unit boundary. Follow Forest Service Road 1950 to the junction with Forest Service Road 1900. Turn right; you will cross Costilla Creek. Continue on Forest Service Road 1950, 10 miles to the junction with Forest Road 1910. Climb 1 mile up the hill to Cimmarron Campground.

36.77030, -105.20540 · 36°46'13.1"N 105°12'19.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	1.4	1.9	1.9	1.9	1.8	1.2	3.5	2.4	1.4	1.7	1.6	1.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Cimarron Campground

Can you reserve a site at Cimarron Campground?: Yes, Cimarron Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cimarron Campground have?: 36 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Cimarron Campground?: 180 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cimarron Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Cimarron Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Cimarron Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Cimarron Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Cimarron Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cimarron Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $22/night
Double campsite $40/night
Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night
Extra vehicle $11/night
Day use parking $11/night

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Cimarron Campground

Fawn Lakes Campground 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Elephant Rock Campground 14.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Columbine Campground (NM) 18.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
McCrystal Campground 5.2 mi · Campground
Junebug Campground 13.4 mi · Campground
Fawn Lakes Campground 14.7 mi · Campground
Cabresto Lake Campground 16.3 mi · Campground
Twining Campground 18.1 mi · Campground
Taos Ski Valley 18.4 mi · Facility
Goat Hill Campground 19.4 mi · Campground
Cuchilla Campground 22.3 mi · Campground
Cuchillo Del Medio Campground 23.2 mi · Campground

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Cimarron Campground