USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
McCrystal Campground
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 8,140 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- VALLE VIDAL (NFSR 1950) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Carson National Forest
- Nearest town
- Ring Place
- Address
- NM
- Activities
- <p> Opens May through November. 60 campsites at elevation 8,100.</p> , Horseback Riding, Picnicking, Wildlife Viewing
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
These 55 sites in Valle Vidal elk/bear country are a great hunting, hiking, fishing destination.
From the town of Cimarron, drive 5 miles northeast on Highway 64 to Cerrososo Canyon. Follow this canyon approximately 21 miles to the Valle Vidal Unit Boundary. The route is marked by signs. From the boundary, travel 7 miles on Forest Service Road 1950. These graveled roads are not maintained during the rainy season and may be passable only with a four wheel drive vehicle.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 15° | -20° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 40° | 15° | -12° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 47° | 26° | 1° | 73° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 58° | 31° | 10° | 72° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 39° | 15° | 80° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 79° | 50° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 81° | 54° | 47° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 52° | 47° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 48° | 25° | 86° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 64° | 36° | 18° | 74° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 28° | -9° | 66° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 42° | 20° | -4° | 55° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
All 120 trails in Carson National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Cimarron Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 36 sites
- Cimarron Canyon State Park · New Mexico State Parks · 18 mi · 94 sites
- Eagle Nest Lake State Park · New Mexico State Parks · 19 mi · 19 sites
- Junebug Campground · USDA Forest Service · 19 mi
- Elephant Rock Campground · USDA Forest Service · 19 mi · 21 sites
All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.