4.4351 reviews
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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18555 Hwy 47A Suite B, Cheyenne, OK 73628
Anglers, birders, and families with kids will do well here. The 1.75-mile lake trail is short enough for little legs, channel catfish and bass are catchable from the bank, and a resident pair of geese with goslings shows up reliably in spring. Bring a long stake for your tent.
Pets with tender paws take a beating from goathead stickers in the grassy areas, and wind hits every site with nothing to stop it. No showers and no dump station mean anything beyond a weekend primitive kit requires a 30-50 mile supply run to Elk City or Sayre.
Reference information about Skipout Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>The elevation of Skipout Campground is 2,100 feet. Twelve camping units are available for public use. </p>
The elevation is 2,000 ft. The campground stretches along the north side of Skipout Lake. There are two areas for camping. The first is well shaded by mature cottonwood trees and contains the campground's only RV sites as well as some walk-in tent sites. The understory is grass offering little privacy. The second section is completely open with tent-only sites. Two sites have picnic tables under a roof providing some shade. The other sites are on the lake and have immediate access to Skipout Lake. Popular for day use, sites may be occupied by picnickers on weekends.
The parking aprons, all about the same size, are paved and gravel and lined with large curbstones. A RV waste station is located at the Flying J Fuel Stop on I-40, Exit 20 in Sayre, OK. Facilities Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Vaults: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 2 No. Threaded: 2 Water Sports Lake: Yes Water Skiing: No Swimming (provided): No Rafting (whitewater): No Sailing: No Kayaking (whitewater): No Power Boating: Yes Boat Ramp: No Boating (no power): Yes Boat Carry-Down Access: Yes Comments: Skipout Lake is 50 acres and is no-wake. Hiking: Skipout Lake trail (foot only) - 1.75 miles Fishing: Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Bluegill and Crapper Carson National Forest 63 Carson National Forest New Mexico The Carson National Forest is comprised of 1,491,355 acres and is located in northern New Mexico. There are 34 developed campgrounds of which 15 met the selection criteria. From pinon-juniper woods at 6,000 feet to the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the Carson National Forest offers visitors magnificent mountain scenery, cool summer temperatures and diverse recreational opportunities. With the lure of camping, hiking, fishing, exploring, and just plain loafing around, the Carson National Forest has something for everyone. To share in the experiences of early European visitors to northern New Mexico, the Carson offers a 100,000-acre tract of land called Valle Vidal Unit. Donated to the people of the United States by the Penzoil Company of Houston, Texas in 1982, the Unit retains much of its original features. Valle Vidal is managed as a wildlife habitat. It is not quite a wilderness but does have seriously limited vehicle use. Cimarron and McCrystal are the only two developed campgrounds in the Unit. At either location, campers can enjoy the luxuries of a developed campground and still experience the vast openness of the Unit. However, the entire Unit is open to dispersed camping for those who want to experience how the West really was not too long ago. One of the more unique features of the Valle Vidal Unit is its total lack of trails. The Forest seems to encourage visitors to park their vehicle (in a designated parking area), and packing water, a compass, map, and whatever else might be needed, head out to explore the pristine Unit. The crystal clear rivers, rolling grass covered hills, and towering tree-covered mountains will keep hiker or horseback rider entertained for many, many hours. For those visitors to the Carson National Forest who prefer more formalized trails, there are over 330 miles of maintained trails within the Forest. Trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain bikes, and four-wheel drive vehicles abound. The trails in the Carson offer visitors a range of opportunities from exploring the Forest close up to quiet solitude and physical challenge. These trails are, in general, maintained by volunteers. (For more information and maps, contact the Carson National Forest Supervisor's Office.) With 400 miles of cold mountain streams and numerous lakes, the Carson National Forest offers some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the area. Some popular spots are: Canjilon Lakes near Lower and Middle Canjilon Lakes campgrounds; Rio Pueblo near the Agua Piedra campground; and Red River associated with Junebug, Elephant Rock, and Fawn Lakes campgrounds. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 84-mile driving loop from Taos to Eagle Nest then to Red River through Questa and back to Taos. This drive features panoramic vistas of the southern Rocky Mountains, a major molybdenum mine, several downhill ski resorts, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico's equivalent to The Wall in Washington, D.C. Carson National Forest 64 Another pleasant day trip, this one from the Canjilon campgrounds, is the Ghost Ranch. Not a working ranch, the Ghost Ranch offers a full range of educational courses for all ages. Although closely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, the Ghost Ranch builds on its close proximity to the land that inspired Georgia O'Keefe with a large number of classes in the Arts and the Outdoors. The co-located Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology and Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, found on the Ghost Ranch grounds, provide the basis for many classes in their areas of study for the young and young-at-heart. (For more information try their website at www.ghostranch.org or contact the Cuba Ranger District Office.) Wildlife viewing is another popular activity found within the Carson National Forest. Once a native to this area, the Bighorn Sheep were re-introduced in the early 1990's. Since then they have done very well and can be found in several of the Carson National Forest's wilderness areas. Marmots, pikas, elk, mule deer, golden eagles and many other species of mammal and bird are more readily accessible for viewing by the Forest's many visitors. The variety of vegetation and topography found within the Carson National Forest provides excellent habitat for wildlife and adds to the robust populations. Along with a large number of developed campgrounds, the Carson National Forest has five wilderness areas: Wheeler Peak, Latir Peak, Cruces Basin, and northern portions of both the Pecos and Chama. These 86,163 acres have been set aside to preserve their pristine and wild nature. Humans are considered only a visitor here and are asked not to disturb the natural environment. All mechanized equipment, including bicycles, are prohibited. This balance between developed recreation opportunities and the undeveloped nature of a wilderness give visitors a wide assortment of activities to enjoy. It is also one of many reasons why many visitors return - far too much to do for one visit. Carson National Forest 65 Forest Supervisor's Office Forest Service Building 208 Cruz Alta Rd. P.O.B. 558 Taos, New Mexico 87571 575-758-6200 Ranger District Offices Canjilon District P.O.B. 469 Canjilon, New Mexico 87515 575-684-2486 Camino Real District P.O.B. 68 Penasco, New Mexico 87553 575-587-2255 El Rito District P.O.B. 56 El Rito, New Mexico 87530 575-581-4554 Jicarilla District 664 E. Broadway Bloomfield, New Mexico 87413 505-632-2956 Questa District P.O.B. 110 Questa, New Mexico 87556 575-586-0520 Tres Piedras District P.O.B. 38 Tres Piedras, New Mexico 87577 575-758-8678 For the latest information on fees, seasons and much more, visit the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide website at www.forestcamping.com Carson National Forest 66 Campground Map No. Campground Page No. Campground Page 1 Santa Barbara 88 9 Columbine 71 2 La Junta Canyon 81 10 Elephant Rock 75 3 Duran Canyon 74 11 Fawn Lakes 76 4 Agua Piedra 68 12 Junebug 79 5 Comales 73 13 Cimarron 70 6 Lower Canjilon Lake 83 14 McCrystal Creek 85 7 Middle Canjilon Lake 86 15 La Sombra 82 8 Hopewell 78 16 Capulin 69 Carson National Forest 67 Carson National Forest Quick Look-Up Table - Campground Locations and Descriptions STATE NEAREST CITY/TOWN CAMPGROUND TOTAL SITES PAGE NO. New Mexico Cebolla Lower Canjilon Lake 11 O O 83 Cebolla Middle Canjilon Lake 32 O O 86 Costilla Cimarron 35 O O 70 Costilla McCrystal Creek 60 O O 85 Penasco Agua Piedra 42 O O O 68 Penasco Comales 13 O O 73 Penasco Duran Canyon 12 O O 74 Penasco La Junta Canyon 41 O O 81 Penasco Santa Barbara 21 O O 88 Questa Columbine 27 O O O 71 Red River Elephant Rock 17 O O O 75 Red River Fawn Lakes 20 O O O 76 Red River Junebug 22 O O O 79 Taos Capulin 11 O O 69 Taos La Sombra 12 O O 82 Tres Piedras Hopewell 31 O O O 78 Carson National Forest 68 Carson National Forest - Campground Descriptions
Skipout Lake is 50 acres and is no-wake. Hiking: Skipout Lake trail (foot only) - 1.75 miles Fishing: Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Bluegill and Crapper Carson National Forest 63 Carson National Forest New Mexico The Carson National Forest is comprised of 1,491,355 acres and is located in northern New Mexico. There are 34 developed campgrounds of which 15 met the selection criteria. From pinon-juniper woods at 6,000 feet to the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the Carson National Forest offers visitors magnificent mountain scenery, cool summer temperatures and diverse recreational opportunities. With the lure of camping, hiking, fishing, exploring, and just plain loafing around, the Carson National Forest has something for everyone. To share in the experiences of early European visitors to northern New Mexico, the Carson offers a 100,000-acre tract of land called Valle Vidal Unit. Donated to the people of the United States by the Penzoil Company of Houston, Texas in 1982, the Unit retains much of its original features. Valle Vidal is managed as a wildlife habitat. It is not quite a wilderness but does have seriously limited vehicle use. Cimarron and McCrystal are the only two developed campgrounds in the Unit. At either location, campers can enjoy the luxuries of a developed campground and still experience the vast openness of the Unit. However, the entire Unit is open to dispersed camping for those who want to experience how the West really was not too long ago. One of the more unique features of the Valle Vidal Unit is its total lack of trails. The Forest seems to encourage visitors to park their vehicle (in a designated parking area), and packing water, a compass, map, and whatever else might be needed, head out to explore the pristine Unit. The crystal clear rivers, rolling grass covered hills, and towering tree-covered mountains will keep hiker or horseback rider entertained for many, many hours. For those visitors to the Carson National Forest who prefer more formalized trails, there are over 330 miles of maintained trails within the Forest. Trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain bikes, and four-wheel drive vehicles abound. The trails in the Carson offer visitors a range of opportunities from exploring the Forest close up to quiet solitude and physical challenge. These trails are, in general, maintained by volunteers. (For more information and maps, contact the Carson National Forest Supervisor's Office.) With 400 miles of cold mountain streams and numerous lakes, the Carson National Forest offers some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the area. Some popular spots are: Canjilon Lakes near Lower and Middle Canjilon Lakes campgrounds; Rio Pueblo near the Agua Piedra campground; and Red River associated with Junebug, Elephant Rock, and Fawn Lakes campgrounds. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 84-mile driving loop from Taos to Eagle Nest then to Red River through Questa and back to Taos. This drive features panoramic vistas of the southern Rocky Mountains, a major molybdenum mine, several downhill ski resorts, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico's equivalent to The Wall in Washington, D.C. Carson National Forest 64 Another pleasant day trip, this one from the Canjilon campgrounds, is the Ghost Ranch. Not a working ranch, the Ghost Ranch offers a full range of educational courses for all ages. Although closely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, the Ghost Ranch builds on its close proximity to the land that inspired Georgia O'Keefe with a large number of classes in the Arts and the Outdoors. The co-located Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology and Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, found on the Ghost Ranch grounds, provide the basis for many classes in their areas of study for the young and young-at-heart. (For more information try their website at www.ghostranch.org or contact the Cuba Ranger District Office.) Wildlife viewing is another popular activity found within the Carson National Forest. Once a native to this area, the Bighorn Sheep were re-introduced in the early 1990's. Since then they have done very well and can be found in several of the Carson National Forest's wilderness areas. Marmots, pikas, elk, mule deer, golden eagles and many other species of mammal and bird are more readily accessible for viewing by the Forest's many visitors. The variety of vegetation and topography found within the Carson National Forest provides excellent habitat for wildlife and adds to the robust populations. Along with a large number of developed campgrounds, the Carson National Forest has five wilderness areas: Wheeler Peak, Latir Peak, Cruces Basin, and northern portions of both the Pecos and Chama. These 86,163 acres have been set aside to preserve their pristine and wild nature. Humans are considered only a visitor here and are asked not to disturb the natural environment. All mechanized equipment, including bicycles, are prohibited. This balance between developed recreation opportunities and the undeveloped nature of a wilderness give visitors a wide assortment of activities to enjoy. It is also one of many reasons why many visitors return - far too much to do for one visit. Carson National Forest 65 Forest Supervisor's Office Forest Service Building 208 Cruz Alta Rd. P.O.B. 558 Taos, New Mexico 87571 575-758-6200 Ranger District Offices Canjilon District P.O.B. 469 Canjilon, New Mexico 87515 575-684-2486 Camino Real District P.O.B. 68 Penasco, New Mexico 87553 575-587-2255 El Rito District P.O.B. 56 El Rito, New Mexico 87530 575-581-4554 Jicarilla District 664 E. Broadway Bloomfield, New Mexico 87413 505-632-2956 Questa District P.O.B. 110 Questa, New Mexico 87556 575-586-0520 Tres Piedras District P.O.B. 38 Tres Piedras, New Mexico 87577 575-758-8678 For the latest information on fees, seasons and much more, visit the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide website at www.forestcamping.com Carson National Forest 66 Campground Map No. Campground Page No. Campground Page 1 Santa Barbara 88 9 Columbine 71 2 La Junta Canyon 81 10 Elephant Rock 75 3 Duran Canyon 74 11 Fawn Lakes 76 4 Agua Piedra 68 12 Junebug 79 5 Comales 73 13 Cimarron 70 6 Lower Canjilon Lake 83 14 McCrystal Creek 85 7 Middle Canjilon Lake 86 15 La Sombra 82 8 Hopewell 78 16 Capulin 69 Carson National Forest 67 Carson National Forest Quick Look-Up Table - Campground Locations and Descriptions STATE NEAREST CITY/TOWN CAMPGROUND TOTAL SITES PAGE NO. New Mexico Cebolla Lower Canjilon Lake 11 O O 83 Cebolla Middle Canjilon Lake 32 O O 86 Costilla Cimarron 35 O O 70 Costilla McCrystal Creek 60 O O 85 Penasco Agua Piedra 42 O O O 68 Penasco Comales 13 O O 73 Penasco Duran Canyon 12 O O 74 Penasco La Junta Canyon 41 O O 81 Penasco Santa Barbara 21 O O 88 Questa Columbine 27 O O O 71 Red River Elephant Rock 17 O O O 75 Red River Fawn Lakes 20 O O O 76 Red River Junebug 22 O O O 79 Taos Capulin 11 O O 69 Taos La Sombra 12 O O 82 Tres Piedras Hopewell 31 O O O 78 Carson National Forest 68 Carson National Forest - Campground Descriptions
Skipout Lake is 50 acres and is no-wake.
The parking aprons, all about the same size, are paved and gravel and lined with large curbstones. A RV waste station is located at the Flying J Fuel Stop on I-40, Exit 20 in Sayre, OK.
In Reydon, OK, at intersection of State Rts. 47 East/30 South/47 West, take Rt. 47 east 4.9 to Skipout Lake sign. Turn left after sign onto RMNS 175 and go 0.5 miles to campground sign. Turn left into campground.
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Summer delivers the fullest lakeside experience. Daytime highs typically reach 85–100°F, with cooler evenings in the 60s–70s near the water. Cottonwood shade provides relief from the prairie sun. Winter brings crisp, dry conditions for solitude seekers. Wind is a constant across seasons. Pack accordingly and stake tents well.
Summer offers the fullest lakeside experience; warm days (85–100°F) and cottonwood shade provide relief.
Skipout Campground offers a range of basic amenities. Restrooms and potable water are available onsite. While flush toilets and showers are not provided, vault toilets are available and described as clean and well-maintained. Picnic tables and fire pits are included at each of the campsites, and there are two threaded water spigots available for campers.
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