One of the Game and Fish Department's largest wildlife areas at 33,116 acres, the canyon is only a small part of the wildlife area. The area is home to large populations of elk, deer, bear, turkey and some grouse. Raptors, songbirds and small mammals also call this area home. Selective logging in the 1960's opened even more of the area to wildlife, and the logging roads are now closed to vehicle traffic. The fall and winter seasons find hunters horseback in search of game.
Anglers fish Cimarron River for stocked rainbow trout or stream-bred brown trout.
The Cimarron is renowned for brown trout fishing. Clear Creek and Tolby Creek. The camping in this area is run by NM State Parks and Recreation Division, under contract to the Game and Fish Department. The state park, known as Cimarron Canyon State Park, has many excellent campsites with modern conveniences. There are also developed parking areas for day-use for fishing and hiking activities.