The Valle Vidal in Northern New Mexico
Outdoor Adventures in the Carson National Forest
Located in Northern New Mexico, the Valle Vidal is home to elk herds, sprawling meadows, and a 12,526 foot mountain. Encompassing over 100,000 acres of land, this beautiful area of the Carson National Forest offers the public outdoor adventures ranging from car camping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
How to Get To Valle Vidal
To access the Valle, begin near Cimarron, the closest town, and drive north on U.S. Highway 64. There will be a sign on the east side of the highway indicating the start of a dirt road which takes visitors into the Valle Vidal. Follow this road for about an hour-and-a-half until signs indicating the boundary for the Valle Vidal and the Carson National Forest can be seen.
Note that until reaching the Forest Service boundary the land on either side of the road is privately owned. Drive conservatively and follow the speed limit, not just for safety, but also because flat tires can occur when driving too fast. Do not drive vehicles off the main graded road.
Camping Options
The McCrystal Creek Campground and is just one campground available for car camping, with facilities for campfires. Backcountry camping is permitted, but campfires are not allowed outside of designated fire rings. Drought conditions are often present, especially during the warm summer months. Follow Forest Service regulations for any campfire restrictions.
Things to Do
There are many opportunities for visitors to explore the surrounding area. It is not uncommon to see people riding horses through meadows and along the road system. Hikers can enjoy climbing Little Costilla Peak, which offers views of mountains to the south and north. The whole area is accessible to mountain biking. Bikers can utilize the road system to visit places such as Beatty Lakes. Elk herds roam the open terrain, and the Valle Vidal is considered a prime location for elk hunting.
In the winter it is possible to snowmobile and cross-country ski, but roads are not plowed and the area can be difficult to get to. The Forest Service advises that snowmobilers bring extra fuel.
Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont is a Boy Scout High Adventure base located to the south of the Valle Vidal. During the summer months the camp sends crews of Scouts in to the National Forest to explore the area, practice low impacting camping skills, and to participate in programs at three backcountry camps. These camps specialize in mountain biking, astronomy, and search-and-rescue.
Seasonal Closures
Parts of the Valle are closed during the year to accommodate the seasonal migrations of elk herds. The western side of the Valle is closed between May 1st and June 30th, which includes Little Costilla Peak, while the east side is closed from January 1st to March 31st.
Contact Information
For more information about the Valle Vidal, visit the official United States Forest Service website.
