Recreation area

Valle Vidal Unit

Carson National Forest · New Mexico — managed by USDA Forest Service

First-come, first-served — no online reservations

About this campground

The Valle Vidal has two campgrounds and numerous parking areas for those heading into the backcountry. The Campgrounds in the Valle Vidal Unit are the McCrystal and Cimarron campgrounds. The McCrystal campground sits at 8,100 ft., it has 60 units for camping and can accommodate a trailer 32’ and under. The Cimarron campground sits at 9,400 ft., it has 35 camping units and can also accommodate a trailer 32’ and under. Click here to view the Big Valle NatureWatch Viewing Site Recreational Information on the Valle Vidal Unit

Getting there

Road access is via Costilla from the west and Cimarron from the east. Valle Vidal boasts spectacular scenery plus timber, minerals, and grazing land. It is being managed to enhance its most important feature-wildlife- which includes a trophy elk herd of up to 2,000 head, mule deer, Merriam’s turkey, black bear, mountain lion numerous varieties of birds and fish. Motorized travel is restricted and, working together, the Forest Service and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have implemented special hunting and fishing seasons and bag limits. In addition to regular hunting and fishing licenses, Habitat Improvement Stamps are required.

Activities

  • BIKING
  • HIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING
  • CAMPING
  • FISHING

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.