New Mexico's Captivating State Park Boasts A Lush Canyon With Riverside Camping And Outdoor Fun

New Mexico holds the southeast flank of America's Four Corners region, giving it a perfect blend of Colorado's Rockies, Arizona's deserts, and the Southwest's unique cultural heritage. As a tourist destination, New Mexico is perhaps most famous for major historical sites, like the ancient village of Pecos nestled in New Mexico's glorious mesas and meadows. Yet New Mexico also contains natural wonders that easily match the breathtaking grandeur of attractions in neighboring states. 

New Mexico's Cimarron River, for example, cuts a picturesque profile through the state's northern landscape, creating one of the most underrated canyon viewpoints you'll find anywhere in the Southwest. Cimarron Canyon State Park is one of the most captivating features in the Land of Enchantment, showcasing towering cliffs and enchanting forest systems that more than deserve a spot on your Southwest travel itinerary. Located about a three-hour drive from Albuquerque International Sunport, Cimarron Canyon is the perfect spot for a New Mexico day-trip into the state's rugged and wonderful northern terrain. 

Thanks to the Cimarron River, Cimarron Canyon State Park has much better water resources than many drier, desert state parks farther south. As a result, the park is an ideal place for both fun days on the water and amazing hikes through some of New Mexico's most beautiful scenery. And while Cimarron Canyon's forests and riverbanks provide a lovely backdrop, it's the park's mighty palisade cliffs that steal the show (and most of the Instagram pics). Even better, Cimarron Canyon State Park offers some of New Mexico's best overnight camping, with both cozy, developed campgrounds and endless settings for outdoor adventures. 

Cimarron Canyon State Park is about an hour east of Taos. Already well-known for important historical preserves, like the enchanting Taos Pueblo UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taos also plays a lesser-known role as a gateway to northern New Mexico's natural wonders, like Cimarron Canyon. The state park's ancient forests and even more ancient geology are the perfect complement to Taos' centuries-old history. Cimarron Canyon lies within northern New Mexico's magnificent and geologically complex Cimarron Range. At an elevation of over 7,000 feet, Cimarron Canyon State Park also enjoys a crisp alpine climate that fosters vibrant communities of oak and pine trees, adding a green touch to the underlying canyon rock. 

The most eye-catching feature in Cimarron Canyon is the towering Palisades Sill. At a height of 300 feet, the Palisades Sill cliffs tower over the rest of the park, creating truly awe-inspiring vistas that conjure images of the much more famous red rock canyons of Arizona. If you're a geology buff, the Palisades Sill provides the bonus of showcasing a natural museum of the region's geologic history for all to see. The rocks that make up these cliffs are largely a type of igneous (i.e., volcanic) rock called dacite, which formed around 40 million years ago during the same mountain-building events that created the Rockies. 

Once you've gotten your fill of impressive cliff views, you can also look out for Cimarron Canyon's abundant wildlife. The state park lies within the larger Colin Neblett Wildlife Area and protects thriving populations of elk, bears, foxes, coyotes, and porcupines, among others. If you're hoping to add a few more entries to your birding life list, Cimarron Canyon State Park is one of New Mexico's top spots for birdwatching!

Cimarron Canyon State Park has some of New Mexico's most impressive cliffs, but note that these cliffs are for viewing, not touching. Rock climbing is prohibited to protect the canyon's complex and ancient geology. Still, even without climbing opportunities, Cimarron Canyon State Park is arguably the area's best destination for much-needed outdoor recreation. 

The park's many trails offer fun and memorable hiking trips, with excellent opportunities to see the stunning Palisades Sill, the park's resident wildlife, and many other impressive natural features. For example, the Clear Creek Trail passes by three different picturesque waterfalls. Many trails going through Cimarron Canyon and the surrounding Colin Neblett Wildlife Area are also great for horseback riding. The Cimarron River is a superb spot for fly fishing, with many local outfitters even offering guided fishing trips to the best angling spots, complete with equipment and gear rentals. 

For the full experience, you can stay overnight at one of its excellent developed campsites. Along with neighboring Eagle Nest State Park, there are currently 94 campsites across four main campgrounds, as well as much-needed amenities like restrooms. Cimarron Canyon's campgrounds are open year-round, though Spring and Fall may offer an ideal combination of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. For all of its (relatively) convenient infrastructure, Cimarron Canyon also has an isolated quality that makes it one of the nation's best spots to camp in peace. Finally, the neighboring city of Eagle Nest serves as a great base of operations, including direct access to New Mexico's Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (one of the most delightful American road trips for a romantic getaway). Eagle Nest also has hotels, lodges, and restaurants for both overnight stays and day trips.