Overview
Cimarron is a small town in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northeast New Mexico. Popular in the summer for world-class fly-fishing in the Cimarron River it is the closest town to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. Outside of the town, the area is dominated by very large ranches, some owned by celebrities or wealthy corporate scions. The town's historic downtown area was once a stopping point for settlers heading west on the Santa Fe Trail, and it still has the feeling of a dusty frontier town.
1 sights · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cimarron
Aztec Mill Museum
Regional history museum housed in an 1860s grist mill. Numerous displays about the town's colorful characters and stories.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Santa Fe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TSM Taos Regional Airport, Taos — 42 mi away. Directions
- ALS San Luis Valley Regional Airport/Bergman Field, Alamosa — 83 mi away. Directions
- ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 139 mi away (major hub). Directions
The nearest commercial airports are in Santa Fe, New Mexico or Colorado Springs, Colorado. From either airport, rent a car and drive to Cimarron. It might also be possible to get there via Amtrak to Raton.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $25–$25 a night (typical $62), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$120, comfortable ~$140.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The town is small with a population of just under 800 (2020).
Get in
The nearest commercial airports are in Santa Fe, New Mexico or Colorado Springs, Colorado. From either airport, rent a car and drive to Cimarron. It might also be possible to get there via Amtrak to Raton.
By car
Cimarron is about 160 miles (2-1/2 hours) from Santa Fe, New Mexico, or about 190 miles (2-3/4 hours) from Colorado Springs, Colorado, both via interstate 25.
From Santa Fe, drive north on interstate highway 25 to exit 419 and drive west on New Mexico state highway 58 for about 20 miles to Cimarron.
From Colorado Springs, drive south on interstate highway 25 to exit 446 and drive west on U.S. highway 64 for about 35 miles to Cimarron.
Get around
Cimarron is a very small town with wide open ranch country all around. There is no scheduled bus service or public transit to or in Cimarron. Boy scouts usually hike. Ranchers usually ride horses when they aren't driving around in their gigantic air-conditioned 4WD trucks. Tourists drive around in their air-conditioned rental cars.
See
- Dawson is a ghost town about 17 km northeast of Cimarron. The former mining town once had a population over 9,000 but suffered a pair of deadly mining accidents before the mines were shut down in 1950 and the town completely abandoned within a few short years.
Do
- Cimarron Canyon State Park - mountainous park with four campgrounds with 94 campsites, miles of hiking trails through the pine forests, picnic grounds with tables and grills provided, fly-fishing in the Cimarron River, hunting permitted seasonally (autumn). Popular for snowshoeing in winter months.
- Carson National Forest
- Fly-fishing in the Cimarron River
Eat
Eat Kit Carson Restaurant
Western motif restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily.
Eat Cimarron House of Pizza
Casual pizza place also serving calzones and subs.
Eat Cree-Mee Drive In
Local drive-in with fast food fare including burgers, ice cream, and shakes.
Eat Cimarron Mercantile
Touristy place with rustic atmosphere, friendly service, and good food. Breakfast includes burritos and breakfast tacos. Lunch is sandwiches, paninis, tacos, etc. Good homemade salsas.
Drink
Drink Hikers Coffee Co.
Small, local coffee shop with friendly atmosphere and good coffee drinks. Also serves breakfast items, donuts, churros and ice cream.
Sleep
Stay St. James Hotel
Historic hotel built in 1873, famous for its many famous outlaw and lawmen guests, including Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill, Jesse James (room 14), Annie Oakley and more. The hotel was notorious for being the site of frequent murders. Today, it offers rooms in two sections: the old historic section, and a newer modern section. The restaurant serves regional New Mexican and western dishes. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Go next
Nearby
Eagle Nest
City / town · 6 listings · 19 mi away
Angel Fire
City / town · 9 listings · 22 mi away
Red River
City / town · 9 listings · 30 mi away
Taos Pueblo
City / town · 35 mi away
Taos
City / town · 49 listings · 37 mi away
Raton
City / town · 6 listings · 38 mi away
Mora
City / town · 5 listings · 44 mi away
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Park · 6 listings · 45 mi away
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