Cimarron Canyon State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cimarron Canyon State Park
The Palisades Sill in Cimarron Canyon
Cimarron Canyon State Park Location in New Mexico
Location	Colfax, New Mexico, United States
Area	378 acres (153 ha)
Elevation	7,500 ft (2,300 m)
Established	1979
Governing body	New Mexico State Parks Division

Cimarron Canyon State Park is a cool state park in New Mexico, USA. It's about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Eagle Nest. You'll find it inside the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area.

The park stretches for 8 miles (13 km) along the beautiful Cimarron Canyon. It runs between Tolby Creek and Ute Park. Look closely and you'll see the amazing Palisades Sill. These are huge cliffs that stand tall above the Cimarron River.

The park has a new visitor's center at the Tolby campground. There are also three special areas for day use. You can find many trails for hiking in summer. In winter, these trails are great for snowshoeing. The Clear Creek Trail is very popular. It follows Clear Creek and offers views of small waterfalls. You might see deer, elk, bear, and turkeys here. Many kinds of birds also live in the park.

Fun Activities at Cimarron Canyon Park

Cimarron Canyon State Park offers lots of outdoor fun. You can enjoy fishing, hiking, and camping. It's a great place to explore nature and see wildlife. Remember to check for fees before you visit.

Catching Fish in Cimarron River

The park is a popular spot for trout fishing. You can fish in the Cimarron River and its smaller streams, Clear Creek and Tolby Creek. The river is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. This means new fish are added regularly. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish makes sure there are plenty of fish. They aim for about 3,000 fish per mile!

The best time for fishing is during the summer. You can also fish at the Gravel Pit Lakes. These lakes are inside the Maverick Campground. They got their name because material was dug from here to build nearby roads. The park even hosts a special children's fishing derby. It happens every Mother's Day weekend.

Camping Adventures at the Park

Cimarron Canyon State Park has three great campgrounds. They are all located along the river. You'll find them between the villages of Eagle Nest and Ute Park. These campgrounds are called Maverick, Tolby, and Ponderosa. There's also the Black Jack Tent Area for tents only.

All three campgrounds have many spots for RVs or tents. They have full bathrooms with running water. However, there is no electricity at the campsites. You can have campfires if the weather is safe. Park rangers and the fire marshal decide this. The main camping season is from mid-May to mid-September. Winter camping is usually avoided because of snow and cold. Camping costs $10 per vehicle per night. You can also buy annual camping permits. These permits work at any New Mexico State Park.

Gallery

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  Cimarron Canyon State Park, just below the dam for Eagle Nest Lake.

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  Deer at Cimarron Canyon State Park