Cimarron Canyon State Park
The Palisades Sill in Cimarron Canyon
Map showing the location of Cimarron Canyon State Park
Map showing the location of Cimarron Canyon State Park
Location of Cimarron Canyon State Park in New Mexico
LocationColfax, New Mexico, United States
Coordinates36°32′16″N 105°10′30″W / 36.53778°N 105.17500°W / 36.53778; -105.17500
Area378 acres (153 ha)
Elevation7,500 ft (2,300 m)
Established1979
Governing bodyNew Mexico State Parks Division

Cimarron Canyon State Park is a state park of New Mexico, United States, located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Eagle Nest in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area. The park extends for 8 miles (13 km) along the Cimarron Canyon between Tolby Creek and Ute Park. The Palisades Sill forms spectacular cliffs above the Cimarron River here.

The park is home to a newly constructed visitor's center in the Tolby campground, as well as three developed day use areas. The park includes numerous trails, which are used for hiking in the summer and snow shoeing in the winter, the most popular being the Clear Creek Trail, which follows the Clear Creek and offers views of several small waterfalls. Throughout the year, you can expect to see deer, elk, bear, turkey, and many species of birds. Self pay stations are located throughout the park at all campgrounds and some day use areas. Day use permits are $5 per vehicle per day, although other fees may apply for users of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area.

Fishing

The park is popular for trout fishing in the Cimarron River and its tributaries, Clear Creek and Tolby Creek.[1] Stocked trout include rainbow and brown. The river is maintained by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at a trout density of approximately 3,000 fish per mile, although water flow can vary between 2 and 50 cfs.[2] Fishing season is busiest during the summer months. There is also popular fishing at the Gravel Pit Lakes within the Maverick Campground. The lakes got their names as material was drawn from where the lakes now sit, to be used as base course for U.S. Route 64. The park hosts a children's fishing derby every Mother's day weekend.

Camping

Cimarron Canyon State Park boasts three full campgrounds, which are located along the river between the villages of Eagle Nest and Ute Park. These include the Maverick, Tolby, and Ponderosa campgrounds, as well as Black Jack Tent Area. All three campgrounds offer numerous individual sites for RV or tent camping. Full bathrooms with plumbing (and potable water) are available at each campground, although electricity is not. Campfires are allowed weather permitting, at the discretion of the county fire marshal, in combination with the local park rangers. Normal camping season takes place between the middle of May to mid September, but is usually avoided during the winter months due to snow and freezing temperatures. Camping costs are $10 per night per vehicle and annual camping permits, valid at any New Mexico State Park, are also available.

See also

References

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