Cimarron Campground
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.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Equestrian | 11 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
36 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Loop A | Equestrian | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Loop A | Equestrian | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 16 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 41 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 190 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 180 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Carson National Forest |
| Booking | A reservation fee will be added to the price. |
| Fees | 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. Fees are not charged in the fall. |
Weather by month
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.
| Coordinates | 36.7703° N, 105.2054° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedComanche Powderhouse Fall Rx
6 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMartinez Fall Rx
45 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 11.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Seco Bubble ↗ | 26.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cimarron Campground
Worth a stop
- 0.7 miShuree Lakes Fishing ↗Fishing site
- 12.1 miRed River Fishing ↗Fishing site
Public land it sits in
Latir Peak Wilderness begins about 13.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.2 miLatir Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,420 acres
- 14.5 miColumbine-Hondo Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 44,372 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Ring Place, TheHistoric district · Cimarron · 4.6 mi
- Melson-Oldham CabinBuilding · Red River · 11.6 mi
- Red River SchoolhouseBuilding · Red River · 11.7 mi
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.
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.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cimarron Campground?
Sites at Cimarron Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. A reservation fee will be added to the price. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cimarron Campground?
Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $22/night. Double campsite $40/night. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cimarron Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cimarron Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cimarron Campground have?
36 sites, including 25 standard sites without power and 11 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cimarron Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Cimarron Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cimarron Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cimarron Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Cimarron Campground?
Anglers can fish for Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Cimarron Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mccrystal Campground (5.2 mi, first-come), Junebug Campground (13.5 mi, first-come), and Fawn Lakes Campground (13.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby