Highlights:
Narrowthickly wooded canyon containing the Cimarron Riverbordered in some places by sheer granite cliffs. Hikingcamping and fishing are the main activitiesbut for many people the attraction is the road itselfone of the most scenic drives in New Mexico
Nearby town:
Eagle Nest4 miles
Management:
Location:
Seasons:
All year
Rating (1-5):
★★★★★
The Cimarron Range is a part of New Mexico's Rocky Mountainswest of the quiet town of Cimarron and northeast of the highermore extensive Sangre de Cristo Mountains. From the townhighway US 64 follows the valley of the Cimarron Riverthrough land that changes from arid prairie to chaparral to forest as the elevation increases.
After Ute Park villagethe valley narrowsthe scenery becomes more dramatic and the river enters Cimarron Canyon8 miles of which is contained within a 33,000 acre state park (part of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area); besides the ravine itselfthe park includes several miles of the mountains to the north and souththough this is rather inaccessible and most visitation is confined to the river corridor.
After Ute Park villagethe valley narrowsthe scenery becomes more dramatic and the river enters Cimarron Canyon8 miles of which is contained within a 33,000 acre state park (part of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area); besides the ravine itselfthe park includes several miles of the mountains to the north and souththough this is rather inaccessible and most visitation is confined to the river corridor.
Photographs
5 views of Cimarron Canyon State Park.
Activities in the State Park
Since a main road runs through the valleythere is no charge to enter Cimarron Canyon State Parkthough fees are due for many of the parking spots. The highway passes plenty of pullouts and picnic areasand several campgroundsthe largest near the tranquil Gravel Pit Lakes. The western part of the canyon is wider and the sides less steepand at the end the land opens out to a high mountain valleysite of Eagle Nest Lake (elevation 8,167 feet)which was formed in 1918 by damming the Cimarron Riverand is popular for boating and fishing. Another campsite is found near the damand more facilities are available at the nearby town of Eagle Nestwhere the main highway turns south towards Taosand a lesser road to the north crosses more mountainous terrain to Red Rivers and Questa. Fishing is also one of the main activities along Cimarron Riverthrough the canyonas the waters are especially plentiful for rainbow and brown trout - though not for some months during winter as the flow is cut off at the damto build up lake levels. Rafting and canoeing along the river are possible most of the year.
Scenery
Much of Cimarron Canyon is quite narrowso the road runs right next to the creekcrossing it several times. Aspen trees grow on the river banks and in occasional patches higher up though most trees are pine. Some parts of the walls form sheer cliffsespecially the Palisadesa 400 foot tall jagged granite outcrop. Climbing the valley sides at either side gives a much better view of the rocksthough in generaleasy routes up into the mountains are limited because of steep slopes and dense forest. There are however several official trails - two heading south along Tolby Creek and Clear Creekand two leading into the hills on the north side (the Maverick Canyon and Jasper/Agate trails). The river is fast flowing but quite shallowand is home to a sizeable population of beaverwhile other less common animals in the state park include black bearelk and mule deer.
Cimarron Canyon - Nearby Places
- Capulin Volcano National Monument (85 miles) - ancient volcanorising 1,000 feet above the surroundings
- Wild Rivers Recreation Area (41 miles) - the Red River and the Rio Grandeflowing through deepvolcanic canyons
Cimarron Canyon - Similar Places
- Oak Creek CanyonSedonaArizona - deepwooded canyon with a stream flowing through
- San Juan MountainsColorado - superb mountain scenery
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