How much does camping cost at Cimarron Campground?

Camping fees at Cimarron Campground range from $22-$40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cimarron Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Cimarron Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cimarron Campground before I book?

Yes! Cimarron Campground has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cimarron Campground?

Cimarron Campground is open May 15 to September 20. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cimarron Campground?

Cimarron Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Cimarron Campground have?

Cimarron Campground has 36 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cimarron Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Cimarron Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Cimarron Campground?

Cimarron Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cimarron Campground?

Popular activities at Cimarron Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cimarron Campground

3.76

55 reviews

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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

9,300 ft

Price

$22 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

36 campsites

Season

Opening and closing ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Recreation Resource Mgmt. of America Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

9,300 ft

Price

$22 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

36 campsites

Season

Opening and closing ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Recreation Resource Mgmt. of America Official Website

Get Directions

Cimarron Campground

$22.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC: $22.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC-322927: $40.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $22.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

575-586-0520camping@rrmofa.com

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Campground Map

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Cimarron Campground

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Nearby places

Costilla, NM (29 miles, approximately 1.5-hour drive)

Cimarron, NM (approximate 45-minute drive)

Philmont Scout Ranch (access restricted).

Driving directionsFrom 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 Cimarron Campground.

Weather at Cimarron Campground

Best Time to Camp at Cimarron Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the clearest access and best weather for high‑country recreation — expect cool, pleasant days (roughly 55–75°F) and chilly nights (25–40°F) at 9,300 ft. Trails, equestrian sites, and Shuree Ponds are fully accessible so hiking, trout fishing, and wildlife viewing are at their peak; however, plan for afternoon thunderstorms and bring warm layers for evenings. Expect moderate crowds in July–August and busier weekends, with quiet weekdays and excellent solitude on lesser trails. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open and popular in summer; cool days and good fishing make summer best season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 20. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Opening and closing dates are weather permitting, please call 928-537-8888 for more information.

About Cimarron Campground

Cimarron Campground sits at 9,300 feet in Carson National Forest near Costilla, New Mexico, operated by Recreation Resource Mgmt. of America. The high-elevation alpine setting offers spacious, shaded tent and RV sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors hike trails, fish Shuree Ponds for trout, ride horses, and watch for wildlife in the surrounding backcountry.

Cimarron Campground accommodates a variety of campers with options for standard nonelectric campsites, equestrian sites, and double-family sites. The campground is tailored for primitive and equestrian camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the clearest access and best weather for high‑country recreation — expect cool, pleasant days (roughly 55–75°F) and chilly nights (25–40°F) at 9,300 ft. Trails, equestrian sites, and Shuree Ponds are fully accessible so hiking, trout fishing, and wildlife viewing are at their peak; however, plan for afternoon thunderstorms and bring warm layers for evenings. Expect moderate crowds in July–August and busier weekends, with quiet weekdays and excellent solitude on lesser trails. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation9300 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryValle Vidal's high country spreads out from the campground in a mix of dense evergreen forest, shimmering aspen groves, and open meadows. Shuree Ponds and Comanche Creek offer clear trout water. The Rio Pueblo flows nearby. Wildlife sightings are common: elk herds, mule deer, pronghorn, and occasional black bears or mountain lions. The elevation creates diverse ecosystems, with peaks climbing above 13,000 feet in the surrounding Sangre de Cristo range. Sites sit beneath tall spruce and fir, providing good shade and a genuine alpine feel.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges or similar accommodations are available at Cimarron Campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are indicated in the authoritative content or user reviews.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights allowed within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Recreation Use Fee allows only ONE camping unit per site. Additional guests or vehicles must coordinate with the host.

Groups

There are no designated group camping sites at this campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov online portal or contact center.

Site SizeThe campground offers a mix of single-family sites, double sites, and horse sites, but no specific dimensions for the sites are provided.

PrivacySites are described as 'spaced nicely,' providing 'some sense of privacy and seclusion.' However, the overall level of privacy may vary depending on the site's location within the campground.

Total Campsites36 campsites

Recommended SitesLoop B is recommended for scenic views and privacy; avoid sites near horse corrals if sensitive to smells and flies.

Best CampsitesSite 032 in Loop B gets mentioned in reviews for privacy and views. Equestrian sites include stalls and corrals, useful for horse campers willing to haul their own water.

Need help booking Cimarron Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Cimarron Campground offers a mix of essential and specialized amenities within its remote location in Carson National Forest. The campground features 36 overnight campsites, including horse sites and a double site. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Additional amenities include horse corrals and water troughs, designed to support equestrian campers. Vault toilets are available, but water facilities are currently non-functional, and visitors are advised to bring their own water. Trash services are also unavailable, and the campground follows a pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy. There is a campground host on-site to assist campers (though reviews on their helpfulness vary).

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Cimarron Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities suitable for campers of all interests. Visitors can engage in fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and horseback riding. Seasonal hunting opportunities for elk and deer are also available. The nearby Shuree Ponds provide fishing options for kids and adults, including stocked rainbow trout and opportunities for float tubing. However, fishing restrictions apply, and visitors are advised to review them before fishing.

Hiking

Fishing

Fishing is a prominent activity at Cimarron Campground, with opportunities to catch Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo. Shuree Ponds, located nearby, offer fishing for kids under 12 in a smaller pond and stocked rainbow trout in the larger pond. Float tubing is also popular in the main pond. A reviewer mentioned, 'Fishing is not great before stocking, but the hiking, nature, and seclusion was perfect.'

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; vault toilets are provided instead.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.8

55 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Cimarron Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Cimarron Campground receives mixed reviews. Common praises include its beautiful and remote location, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for fishing and horseback riding. However, issues such as poor road conditions, lack of water and trash services, and inconsistent campground host performance are frequently mentioned.

Review Summaries

Based on 55 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 55 reviews.

Site 007Loved
Site 007 received mixed reviews, with one user noting difficulties in parking a large trailer and another highlighting its peace and quiet.
Site 032Loved
Site 032 is praised for its proximity to scenic features like Shuree Pond.

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciate the 'beautiful area,' 'plenty of wildlife,' and 'peaceful surroundings.' Multiple users highlighted the scenic drive and opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and...

Based on 55 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include the rough and lengthy drive to the campground, which some described as 'grueling.' The lack of water services and cleanliness of facilities, such as 'filthy' vault toilets, were...

Based on 55 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of water, as there is no onsite supply. Pack all trash out due to the lack of waste services. Prepare for rough roads by bringing a spare tire and tools. Horse campers should ensure they...

Based on 55 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer and early fall are popular seasons due to the pleasant weather and active fishing. However, the remote location and rough roads deter some visitors. Winter visits are not detailed but may be...

Based on 55 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The area is beautiful, but the camp is good, but I wish they had the water and trash service running.' - Danny M. 2. 'This is by far one of the nicest campgrounds that I have been to.' - Adam...

Based on 55 reviews