The Cimarron River, a significant waterway in the American West, stretches approximately 698 miles across New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. Its headwaters begin west of Folsom in northeastern New Mexico, and it eventually joins the Arkansas River at Keystone Reservoir in Oklahoma. The river's name comes from the Spanish "Río de los Carneros Cimarrones," meaning "River of the Wild Sheep." Historically, the Cimarron River played a crucial role in westward expansion, with a branch of the Santa Fe Trail, known as the Cimarron Cutoff, running along its path. This route, though often dry, was vital for travelers and traders.
The river's enduring presence in the landscape has inspired numerous musical tributes. Our collection features five songs that capture the spirit of the Cimarron. Artists like Bruce Springsteen with "My Oklahoma Home" and Red Steagall with "When The Cimarron Was Red And On The Rise" evoke the river's character and its place in regional history and culture.
The river as RoadyGoat maps it; pins mark songs placed along it.