OUTDOOR RECREATION
Hike through the mountains, bird watch on the shores of a lake, camp in your RV or out in the wilderness, fish along the Cimarron River, hunt a Rocky Mountain Elk, geocache in surprising places, or just spend some time in the great outdoors with clean, crisp air under New Mexico blue skies. You can do it all in and around Cimarron, New Mexico!
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CAMPING
Camping is available at sites right here in Cimarron, including the Hikers Cimarron Inn & RV Park. Other places to camp include Cimarron Canyon State Park, only 15 miles west of Cimarron, or "rough it" in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Kit Carson National Forest. Camping is also available at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge for up to 3 days on a seasonal basis. Please visit each public land website for details, prices, and regulations. |
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FISHING
For licensing, rules, and regulations, please visit NM Department of Game and Fish. Fishing abounds around Cimarron. One hot spot is along the Cimarron River in Cimarron Canyon State Park. Enjoy both stream and pond fishing. Also try the Valle Vidal Unit of the Kit Carson National Forest, one of New Mexico's best kept secrets, nestled back in the mountains northeast of Cimarron; truly a place to enjoy fishing. Special permits are required for some waters. Other nearby areas that allow fishing according to state regulations are Eagle Nest Lake and Lake 13 and 14 at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Lake Maloya at Sugarite Canyon State Park, and Springer Lake. Private fishing packages are also available through Express UU Bar Ranch and Vermejo Park Ranch. |
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GEOCACHING
There are many fun geocaching adventures in the area. Visit Geocaching.com for more information. |
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HIKING
Enjoy hiking in the Cimarron Canyon State Park, a forested area located between the communities of Ute Park and Eagle Nest. It is part of the 33,000 acre Colin Neblett Wildlife Area. It offers easy access to campgrounds and the Cimarron River. As you hike, follow streams, see waterfalls, and visit the Gravel Pit Lakes. Many trails follow old logging roads and are appropriate for horseback rides and excellent wildlife viewing. Be aware that a GAIN permit is required to hike many of the trails, and there is a $5 day use fee to park anywhere in the canyon. The 100,000 acre Valle Vidal Unit of the Kit Carson National Forest access is located 5 miles Northeast of Cimarron on Highway 64. The 21 miles of scenic access road to the Valle Vidal is somewhat rugged and passes through Vermejo Park Ranch, which is currently under the ownership of Ted Turner. (Make sure to start with a full tank of gas and bring plenty of water, as there are no services out here!) Along the road one is often rewarded with wildlife viewing, usually elk, turkey, mule deer, black bear, and an occasional bobcat. Once in the forest, overnight camping is permitted in designated areas for a fee and in the back-country according to forest guidelines. The Valle Vidal is a good place to practice your orienteering. There are few established trails and the vast open spaces are easy to explore. It is also home to Little Costilla peak, over 12,000 feet high. Many people enjoy horseback riding, camping, hunting, and backpacking in the area. (Note: The Valle Vidal is generally closed on the east side from January 1 through March 31 to protect elk winter range and on the west side from May 1 - June 30 for elk calving. Through traffic is permitted at this time, but you are not to leave the vehicle.) For further information about Valle Vidal, click here. Other recreation areas are within about an hour's drive. Some of these include: Elliott Barker Wildlife Area, Sugarite Canyon State Park in Raton, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area and other trails in Red River, Angel Fire, or Taos, NM. |
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HORSEBACK RIDING
Cimarron Canyon State Park-
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HUNTING
Hunting is available throughout the area in private, state, and federal properties. Licenses, regulations, and information available at NM Department of Game and Fish. Hunting packages are also available through Express UU Bar Ranch, CS Hunting & Outfitters, the NRA Whittington Center and Vermejo Park Ranch. Lands available for hunting are the Valle Vidal Unit of Carson National Forest, and Elliott Barker Wildlife Refuge. |
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ROCK CLIMBING
Rock climbing is now prohibited in Cimarron Canyon State Park, according to the Cimarron Canyon State Park Management Plan 2010: "Rock climbing is prohibited in the canyon per the joint powers agreement with DGF. Prior to the establishment of this rule, the Palisades Cliffs was an attraction to climbers." Sugarite Canyon State Park still offers Rock Climbing opportunities. According to the Sugarite Management Plan 2015: "The Park has some long cliffs, created by the caps of the basalt rock columns near the tops of the mesas. These formations create good climbing areas for rock climbers. Rock climbing is allowed in the Park, but bolting is not permitted. Park staff request that climbers check in at the visitor center." The download below offers more specific information. Please check with the park for current rules, routes, and regulations. |
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WILDLIFE
The Cimarron area offers great wildlife viewing. Mule deer roam right through town. Elk roam nearby Philmont Scout Ranch land and all lands surrounding Cimarron. 5,415 acres of wildlife area straddle Ponil Creek, just north of Cimarron. A few miles further north, more than 100,000 acres of prime elk habitat are managed at the Valle Vidal Unit of the Kit Carson National Forest. The area is generally closed from January 1 through March 31 to protect elk winter range. The western portion of this unit of the Carson National Forest is also closed May 1 - June 30 for elk calving. Cimarron Canyon State Park, part of the Colin Neblett Wildlife area, lies in along Highway 64 about 15 miles west of Cimarron. It is a favorite destination of campers, hikers, and those hoping to catch a glimpse of deer, raccoons, black bear, or the work of beavers in the Cimarron River. Another popular location for viewing wildlife is Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, just over 20 miles east of Cimarron. It was established in 1966 on 2,800 acres of grassland and agricultural land. It is managed primarily for migratory waterfowl and is used extensively by ducks and geese during fall and winter. |
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Angel Fire Resort began in 1966, as a small ski destination in Northern New Mexico. We are proud to have grown into a four-season resort offering a memorable Rocky Mountain experience for families, outdoor enthusiasts and groups. The resort is located 8,600-feet above sea level in the Southern Rockies and has views of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico.
Free shuttle service is offered between the Lodge and the Nordic Center at the Country Club for added convenience. Every Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the resort hosts torchlight parades to celebrate the holidays. Angel Fire Resort is a four-season resort offering a memorable Rocky Mountain experience for families, outdoor enthusiasts and groups. For more information, call (844) 218-4107. | Angel Fire is located about 36 miles west of Cimarron.
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