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On March 25th 2013, by Presidential Proclamation, the the Upper Rio Grande river basin was designated as a National Monument! This has been a work in progress by those of us who live and work in this amazing place and are absolutely thrilled that the President and others throughout the nation agree that this area deserves national protection.

The Río Grande carves an 800 foot deep gorge through layers of volcanic basalt flows and ash. This section of the Rio Grande within the monument comprises a variety of river sections that adventurers can enjoy throughout the rafting season, including the Ute Mountain, Razorblades, La Junta, the Taos Box and Rio Grande Gorge sections of the Rio Grande within the new National Monument.

The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument includes the Río Grande Wild and Scenic River and Red River Wild and Scenic River, designated by Congress in 1968 to provide present and future visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of rivers in a natural free-flowing state.

Wouldn’t be wonderful if we could only design our weather and water to fit our needs each and every year. Unfortunately we cannot and with these uncertain climates, we enjoy everything that Mother Nature produces. Whether its low water, high water, windy, raining, snowing or bright and sunny, the river is always a great place to be. In the early spring, we offer wetsuits, splash jackets and warm layers for our clients to use at no extra charge. During the monsoon season, don’t worry if you forgot your rain jacket for the afternoon storm because we have you covered! Some years we have high river flows, some years we have low river flows, regardless of the season, we are lucky enough to be permitted on such a large variety of sections of the Rio Grande and Rio Chama that there is always a great option for you to have a great time whitewater rafting with New Mexico River Adventures!

Lately, the press seems to enjoy highlighting the fact that recent years have brought New Mexico disastrous drought and along with the low water, a bad river season for whitewater rafting. Conversely, if this were a huge water season, you can guarantee that the press would be putting out countless articles about how dangerous the river is and how everyone should stay away from whitewater rafting. The truth is that when it comes to whitewater rafting in New Mexico, there is always something great available for everyone. Whether it be the hardcore adrenaline junkie looking for a high water Taos Box trip or an inflatable kayaking trip through the Racecourse, or the wilderness junkie or family looking for a multi-day adventure through the Rio Chama wilderness canyon or the Lower Rio Grande Gorge.

Very few people know just how great we have it here in New Mexico compared to our neighbor to north, Colorado. In Colorado, California and many other places, once the river levels drop to a certain point, they have to completely stop rafting and kayaking trips. They close! In New Mexico this is simply not the case!  We are extremely lucky to have 2 different rivers that we can count on year after year from March through October for spectacular river trips.

Rio Grande Racecourse Half Day

River
Rio Grande
Duration
Half Day
Price
$70 Adult
$60 Child
Age
5

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Rio Grande Gorge Rafting Full Day

River
Rio Grande
Duration
Full Day
Price
$110 Adult
$95 Child
Age
5

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Rio Chama River Rafting 3 Day

River
Rio Chama
Duration
Multi Day
Price
$545 Adult
$450 Child
Age
6

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