Cimarron Canyon State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Cimarron Canyon State Park is about 40 miles east of Taos, New Mexico. It’s home to the Cimarron River, which runs for eight miles between Tolby campground and Ute Park, passing by the Palisades Sill cliffs along the way. You'll find the gorgeous wooded canyon in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area, which hosts thriving populations of elk, deer, bears, songbirds, and trout. Fly fishermen, hikers, campers, bird-watchers, horseback riders, and wildlife enthusiasts enjoy the park’s Rocky Mountain ranges, trails, and star-filled skies year-round. You can enjoy the high elevation, bright sunshine, and clean, crisp air as you immerse yourself in their rugged, naturally beautiful surroundings.
Nearby cities:
Eagle Nest, NM
Cimarron, NM
Taos, NM
Angel Fire, NM
Spring 33-68 F
Summer 55-82 F
Fall 34-73 F
Winter 26-48 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cimarron Canyon State Park
Campground Accommodations
Maverick Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 34 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets
Ponderosa Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, drinking water available, big-rig-friendly, toilets
Tolby Campground, Cimarron Valley
Water hookup: No
•Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 33 feet
Other amenities: ADA accessible, drinking water available, picnic tables, trash receptacles, firewood available, showers, toilets, dump station
Angel Fire RV Resort
Angel Fire RV Resort is just a half-hour drive from the state park and offers a luxury RV experience like no other. It’s rated the number one RV park in New Mexico by Good Sam and offers on-site activities, in-park dining, and events. On average, sites cost $50 - $70 per night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: clubhouse, hot tub, bath house, community fire pits, laundry facilities, bark park, horseshoe pits, putting green, playground, onsite hiking trail.
Golden Eagle RV Park
Another short drive from the state park isGolden Eagle RV Park, which is conveniently located on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. They also have a convenience store on-site and host weekly farmer’s markets. Nightly rates range from $41.95 - $45.95 + tax.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: convenience store, farmer’s market, on-site food / beverages, BBQ area, fire pit, gift store, RV supplies and maintenance, weekly arts and crafts, horseshoe pits, laundry facilities, propane station, dump station, toilets, showers.
Monte Verde RV Park and Campground
30 minutes’ south-west of the state park is theMonte Verde RV Park and Campground, which contains 30 RV Sites – some of which have full hookups. It serves as the perfect base for things to do within the region and features helpful amenities to keep the whole family comfortable.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: laundry room, convenience store, showers, restrooms, pet area, pavilion, fire pits, propane sales.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
What to Do at
Cimarron Canyon State Park
Guests at Cimarron Canyon State Park can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, go hunting or fly fishing, hike the trails, and catch a glimpse of the local wildlife. Many beautiful picnicking spots are available, and the park is also a favorite destination for birders.
Inside Cimarron Canyon State Park
While Cimarron Canyon State Park is popular due to its camping, it’s also a widely visited region because of the number of fun recreational activities on offer. From fishing and wildlife viewing, to hiking or horse riding the miles of trails – you certainly won’t be disappointed.
Fishing : The park is well known for its excellent trout fishing, including brown and rainbow trout, which are stocked in the Cimarron River. Clear Creek and Tolby Creek are also home to smaller trout species. Fishing season is busiest during the summer months.
Wildlife viewing : The park sits at the center of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area. With its sprawling land and high observation points, the park provides great wildlife viewing opportunities. Keep your eyes open for deer, elk, bear, bobcat, mountain lion, turkey, grouse, and songbirds.
Hunting : Hunting of elk, deer, turkey, bears, and grouse is another popular pastime at the park in the fall and winter. The surrounding Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area provides prime hunting grounds for some of the biggest game in the state.
Hiking : The Clear Creek Trail is perhaps the most popular hike among visitors and its trailhead is at mile marker 292. It takes you on a three-mile, mostly level hike through the creek and past several picturesque waterfalls. AGAIN permit is required to hike many of the state park’s trails.
Horseback riding : There are a number of areas available for horseback riding, including the Tolby and Maverick Trails, which are open year-round except May 15 - July 3. There are two pipe corrals within the park (at the trailhead of Tolby Canyon and near Maverick campground), as horses cannot be kept at campsites.
Fishing
The Cimarron River flows eastward for eight miles, starting upstream from Tolby Campground and ending at the edge of the state park near the community of Ute Park. It's popular with fly fishermen, who fish for brown and rainbow trout from mid-April through October. The river, one of the best fisheries in the southern Rocky Mountains, has an estimated 4,000 wild brown trout per mile. The most peaceful fishing spots can be found along Clear Creek and Tolby Creek.
Geocaching
Geocaching enthusiasts can enjoy searching for the earth cache at the Palisades Sill parking area at Cimarron Canyon State Park. Anyone who has access to a hand-held global positioning system (GPS) or smartphone app can participate in this high-tech treasure hunt. The goal is to find your souvenir and leave something fun for the next person to find.
Nature Watching
Cimarron Canyon State Park is part of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area, the largest wildlife area in New Mexico, which spans 33,116 acres. Wildlife enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to spot deer, elk, bobcats, and bears. Bird watchers can find hummingbirds, songbirds, turkeys, Steller’s jays, downy woodpeckers, Clark’s nutcrackers, pygmy nuthatches, and more. Violet-green swallows and western tanagers can be seen in the summer. Dawn and dusk are the best times to view wildlife, and good binoculars are recommended.
Stargazing
Stargazing is an ancient and spectacular way to pass the time at Cimarron Canyon State Park. The park’s secluded location, dry climate, and high elevation provide viewers with clear, dark skies throughout the year. You may enjoy looking up into the heavens past the Cimarron Palisades, which are striking granite formations that rise 400 feet above the earth.
Flora and Fauna
Cimarron Canyon State Park is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, fish, and plants, including great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, wild turkeys, hairy woodpeckers, and mountain chickadees, plus deer, elk, turkey, grouse, and plenty of evergreen trees.
Hiking
Hikers can explore the three-mile-long Clear Creek Trail beginning at mile marker 292. This mostly level hike passes through the creek and features several lovely waterfalls.
How to Get to
Cimarron Canyon State Park
Cimarron Canyon State Park is about 9.5 miles east of Eagle Nest, NM, located on and accessible from U.S. Route 64, also known as the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.
From Eagle Nest, head east on Gold Button Trail toward North Tom Boy Drive. At the first cross street, turn right onto North Tom Boy Drive. Turn left onto US-64 E/E Therma St., and continue to follow US-64 E. Cimarron Canyon State Park will be on your left at 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718.
Entering Cimarron Canyon State Park
Parking for day use is $5 per motor vehicle. An annual pass is available for $40.
Cimarron Canyon State Park Daily : $5.0
Cimarron Canyon State Park Annual : $40.0
Cimarron Canyon State Park is a rugged and exceptionally scenic destination that offers its visitors wonderful views of the Palisades and an abundance of outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cimarron Canyon State Park
Most people find that the warm summer months of June, July, and August are the best time of the year for hiking and fishing. Visitors who love snow can enjoy a winter wonderland between the months of November and March.
Cimarron Canyon State Park is home to a fantastic and diverse wildlife population that includes bears, bobcats, mountain lions, deer, elk, and many species of birds.
Cimarron Canyon State Park has three designated RV campgrounds that feature drinking water and toilets but no hookups.
Overnight camping fees range from $10 to $18 per vehicle per night, depending on the campsite amenities. Annual day-use permits are $40 and should be placed on the dashboard so that they are visible to park rangers at all times.
Cimarron Canyon State Park allows pets on-site at no additional charge. Owners must supervise and clean up after their pets to ensure that the park remains pleasant and safe for everyone.