Too Small To Fail

Every two weeks, we’re offering a new deal to all of our customers during shelter in place. As a small family-owned business, our Too Small To Fail initiative is all about bringing in the community and offering special promotions for future adventures.

We know it’s difficult to make travel plans right now, so we want to offer our adventures in a more tentative way. Purchasing and booking online is easy, and our friendly office staff is available to help. Here’s to your next adventure!

Receive A Free $40 Photo Package!

When You Purchase A Gift Certificate Of $200 Or More

Some exclusions apply.

Photo packages available for Racecourse, Rio Grande Gorge, Taos Box, the Rio Grande 24 Hour, and Taos Box overnight trips.

We’re all feeling a little anxious about getting out on adventures and moving on. We hope that you’ll help us see this through so that the 2020 rafting season is the best one yet! Things may be on hold for now, but we are still planning to offer exciting river adventures this season.  Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the latest news about the 2020 Rio Grande and Rio Chama rafting seasons.

Too Small To Fail

Every two weeks, we’re offering a new deal to all of our customers during shelter in place. As a small family-owned business, our Too Small To Fail initiative is all about bringing in the community and offering special promotions for future adventures.

While your travel plans may have been put on hold by COVID, that doesn’t mean that your adventurous spirit has to. Plan the perfect New Mexico adventure by purchasing a gift certificate valid for any future trip.

SAVE 10% on gift certificates valued at $200 or more until April 22nd!

Some exclusions apply. Not valid for specialty trips.

To all of our valued customers, we truly hope that you and yours are in good health and staying safe during these uncertain times. We feel empowered and dedicated to flatten the curve and protect our staff, family, and community. Things may be on hold for now, but we are still planning to offer exciting river adventures this season.  Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the latest news about the 2020 Rio Grande and Rio Chama rafting seasons.

Let us lead your family into adventure and lifetime memories!

New Mexico River Adventures is a family-run business that understands and values how important it is to expose children to new experiences while keeping your most precious cargo safe. The best and most popular time of year for any of these family whitewater rafting trips is during the summer break from school when the weather in the high desert is right around perfect every single day! Our impeccable safety record and highly trained guides speak for themselves, but let us fill you in on a few of the family-friendly trips we offer. We believe these are the three best family whitewater rafting trips in New Mexico!

1. Half-Day Orilla Verde

The perfect family whitewater rafting trip in New Mexico that suits most ages is the half-day Orilla Verde, with the minimum age being 3. The launch point is in the lower section of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument which offers gorgeous scenery and ample wildlife sightings. The calm stretch of river is punctuated with few very mild rapids to give the kiddos something to get excited for. As with all of our trips, we will stop midway down to have a snack and give your family a chance to stretch your legs and go for a dip in the river.

2. Half-Day Racecourse

If your children are a bit older and looking for more adventure, then our class 3 half-day Racecourse rafting trip will be perfect for your family. Our most popular trip on the Rio Grande dishes out super fun rapids with great opportunities between to take in the gorgeous canyon and to hop in the river for a swim. The teamwork required to maneuver through the whitewater will find your family feeling accomplished while giving paddle high fives for a job well done. The minimum age for this trip is 5, but can go up in higher water scenarios.

3. Rio Chama 3 – Day

Want even more time on the river together? Then look no further than our 3 Day Rio Chama rafting trip. Nothing will bond you all closer than spending two nights camping under the stars and 3 days soaking in the amazing Rio Chama river canyon. The whitewater on this trip is mild and suitable for kids as young as 5. We often suggest that the older kids in the groups (adults, too!) opt to run the trip in one of our inflatable kayaks as they add more adventure to the experience. There are great options for family hikes to check out the famous dinosaur tracks and side canyons behind each camp for sunset or sunrise hikes, the possibilities are endless!

We hope you’ll join us for these family white water rafting trips near you!

To All Of Our Valued Guests and Adventurers

With the ongoing progression of COVID-19 throughout our state, country and world, as the leading outfitter in New Mexico, New Mexico River Adventures has the responsibility to suspend the operations of our trips for the next three weeks or however long is necessary. We are still accepting reservations for the summer season. We also would like our guests that plan on rafting with us in the future to buy Gift Certificates in the form of dollar amounts or for specific trips. Our Gift Certificates have no expiration.

Our first priority has always been keeping our employees and guests safe and it always will be. We agree with most that the only way to keep our community and country safe is to stay home so that hopefully we can all get back to the many amazing adventures New Mexico has to offer sooner than later.

Please keep in touch with us about the many great trips we have planned for the summer as we are looking forward to another season of great water levels for all of our trips. In the meantime, we will continue to closely monitor and follow all protocols put forth by the CDC, WHO and NM Dep’t of Health.

So please stay home, wash your hands and let’s do everything we can to stop the spread of this virus. Our entire NMRA family will keep heading through these class 5 rapids with swift and powerful paddle strokes, and most importantly, in sync with everyone else in the boat.

Thank you for your continued trust,

Matt, Wendy and Scout

Attention New Mexico Adventurers:

We wanted to reach out to all of our past, present and future guests of New Mexico River Adventures regarding our response to COVID-19.  NMRA is closely monitoring the situation as it evolves and will do everything in our power to keep our guests and employees safe while in our care.

New Mexico River Adventures will continue to run trips with the utmost attention paid to hygiene.  All of our guides, front office staff, photographers and shuttle drivers are vigilant about washing hands, wearing gloves when handling food, cleaning vans out after each trip, disinfecting gear after each use as well as thorough cleanings of our shop every single day.  We are holding a staff meeting which details the increased importance of all of the above practices.

Currently, we are recommending all of our guests adhere to the recommendations put forth by the CDC, WHO, and the New Mexico Department of Health.  We ask that all of our guests who are symptomatic please stay home. Should we encounter a situation on one of our trips that involves a guest starting to show symptoms of COVID-19, we will take immediate action to remove the guest from the river trip in order to avoid any other guest becoming ill. We do believe that we are still able to safely run our trips, but will not hesitate to make changes as this situation progresses. Please feel free to call our office to share any concerns or ask any questions that may arise.

We are looking forward to another great season on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama and we can’t wait to show you why our team is the best out there.

Best,

Matt,  Wendy and the entire NMRA family

If you’re seeking an exciting and adventurous destination, Santa Fe is the perfect place for you. With its abundant sunshine, rich historical heritage, and vibrant Native American culture, this enchanting town offers a wide range of activities to suit every taste. From exploring the oldest government seat, church, and house in the United States to immersing yourself in the traditions of the 23 Native American Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos, Santa Fe has it all. And if you’re craving an adrenaline rush, don’t miss out on the exhilarating experience of Santa Fe rafting. Get ready to dive into the breathtaking beauty and thrilling adventures that await you in Santa Fe!

1. Jemez Hot Springs 

Between 10,000 waves and Ojo Caliente, the developed hot springs scene around Santa Fe is great.  But if you are looking for something more off the beaten path, then you should head up the mountain to Jemez Hot Springs.  There are a number of different pools to enjoy in the Jemez area, with the most popular being the San Antonio pools. 

2. See A Show At Meow Wolf

At this point, a visit to Meow Wolf is one of the most popular activities in Santa Fe for locals and visitors alike. And for good reason! But what most visitors don’t know is that it is a music venue as well.  You can enter one hour before the show to wander the psychedelic halls and try to work out what happened in the House of Eternal Return all before dancing the night away to your favorite band.

3. Inflatable Kayaking The Rio Chama

The landscape of the Rio Chama is one of the most beautiful areas in all of New Mexico! The banded sandstone cliffs will take your breath away as you navigate your kayak down the river beloved and depicted by the incomparable Georgia O’Keefe. With the meeting location only one hour from downtown Santa Fe, this is a perfect day trip.

4.  Take A Wine Tour

I know what you’re thinking, ‘A wine tour in New Mexico?!?’  Yes, you heard me right! New Mexico is actually one of the oldest regions of winemaking in the country.  Spanish grapes smuggled into the state in the 1600s and planted in the southern region began what has become of rich culture of wine in New Mexico.  If you are looking to add adventure, NM Wine tours and New Mexico River Adventures has teamed up to pick you up at any hotel for a morning of rafting and an afternoon of wine tasting at La Chiripada, Vivac and Black Mesa wineries. 

5.   Eat!

If you like food, Santa Fe will feel like heaven.  With so many dining options, you will be sure to find something that will excite your taste buds.  Some of my recommendations are Clafoutis for morning coffee and perfect pastries, La Choza for the local fare for lunch and dinner at Paloma for delicious cocktails and inventive twists on old favorites!!

Activities in Santa Fe are diverse and plentiful. From enjoying New Mexico’s outdoor recreation and rich cultural history to tasting fine cuisine after a day of adventure, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to add one of New Mexico River Adventures‘ many offerings to your Santa Fe activities list during your visit. We can’t wait to see you on the river!

By: Seth Smith

When you travel somewhere new you are usually rewarded with all kinds of new sensory experiences. You’re seeing new sights, hearing unfamiliar sounds, and my favorite of all, tasting new and delicious foods! Living at home it’s easy to get stuck in the routine of cooking the same few meals month after month, or even week after week. When you are traveling though, it’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing something new! Here in New Mexico, we have five unique dishes that are sure to leave your taste buds smiling and wanting more.

Red Chile: A very common chile used on all kinds of New Mexican dishes such as burritos, eggs, and enchiladas. It is simple yet delicious made out of dried red chile pods, water, onion, garlic, and seasonings, giving it a nice earthy flavor profile. This is something you don’t want to miss out on!

Green Chile: This chile is the cousin of the previous red chile that we mentioned. Green chile is made with; you guessed it, green chiles, tomatillos, onions, garlic, water, and spices. Typically jalapenos are one variety of green chiles that go into this chile, making it a little spicier than red chile.

Carne Adovada: This is New Mexico’s take on Adovada. It is pork that is slow cooked in red chile giving it a tremendous amount of flavor. Carne Adovada is typically served with bean, rice, and tortillas.

Posole: Posole is an ingredient and also a stew. The ingredient is corn that is boiled and soaked in limewater, this is a type of posole is also known as hominy. Posole stew is typically a combination of pork, hominy, and either red or green chile. My mouth is watering just thinking about this!

Calabacitas: Calabacitas, which means little squash in Spanish, is a combination of squash, corn, and green chiles. One of the most simple yet absolutely delicious veggie dishes that New Mexico is known for.

All right, if I just read about all these tasty foods I would be wondering, where can I go to try some of this after a day of white water rafting? Well, if you were going to be near Taos, I would recommend checking out Michaels Kitchen Restaurant and Bakery, as well as Orlando’s New Mexican Café. On the other hand, if you were headed back down to Santa Fe I would say to visit, Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen, The Shed or La Choza.   Maybe you are heading back the airport in Albuquerque and need some food before that full day of travel that lies ahead, don’t worry there are plenty of spots down there as well! Make sure you swing by either Mary and Tito’s Café or Frontier Restaurant. Wow, after writing this my stomach is grumbling, time to go get some New Mexican food!

By: Seth Smith

Everyone loves that feeling of a rush you get while running some rapids. The cool water splashing you combined with the breeze moving over the river is the perfect contrast to the heat in the heart of summer. All these elements create an experience that is unparalleled. Staying safe while white water rafting is certainly a way to keep the experience enjoyable. Here are a few safety tips that we would recommend to ensure you have a wonderful experience while out on the river!

1. Wear Your PFD (Personal Flotation Device) AKA Your Life Jacket

This may seem like common sense, and it is! But wearing your PFD is one of the single-handed most important things to remember while out on the river. It must be worn correctly though to be effective! Make sure all the buckles are clipped and that the PFD fits nice and tight so that you can still breathe, but it cannot be pulled over the top of your head. Never, ever, loosen your PFD while out on the water. If you have any questions when fitting your PFD before the trip never hesitate to ask your guide for help.

2. Besides your PFD, wear all other necessary protective gear

Depending on the season the water could be a bit chilly! Wetsuits, proper river shoes, and splash jackets are great ways to ensure that you stay warm while on the river. When you are thinking of layers to wear with this gear, we always recommend synthetic clothing versus cotton. Cotton tends to get wet and stay wet. Synthetic clothing will help wick off the water and keep you dry and warm.   Another very important piece of gear is your helmet! Most companies will require you to wear a helmet whether you like it or not, which you should be grateful for!

3. Hold onto your T-Grip

The T-Grip is the part of your paddle that looks like a T. It’s the handle that you ALWAYS hold onto at the top of the paddle. If for some silly reason you let go of this while going through a rapid the person next to you in the raft may end up with a knocked out tooth or a black eye. Hold on to that T-Grip

4. Choose a licensed professional to go rafting with

When you are going rafting, go out with a licensed professional! When booking your trip don’t be afraid to ask questions on why you should choose them to guide you down the river!

5. Know what to do if you or someone else falls out of the boat

These are all things that your guide should be explaining to you at the beginning of the trip! If you fall out, make sure that you don’t panic, and then find where you are in accordance with the boat. If you are right next to the boat, grab it so that you stay next to it! If you are only a few feet away swim back over to the boat. If you find yourself far away from your boat always look to your guide, they will be able to give you directions on where to swim. There are a few different techniques for swimming when you are in a river. The first position is to lay on your back with your toes and nose up, feet pointing downstream. Your feet will be used to absorb the shock of any obstacles in the river such as rocks or logs. Arms will be out off of your side to help you control yourself. Also, keep that butt up so you don’t hit it on any rocks! The second swimmer’s position is on your stomach swimming like you are Michael Phelps going for the gold medal! Another important thing to remember is to never stand up in the river where there is moving water. You could get your foot trapped and end up doing underwater push-ups on the bottom of the river! Make sure you are all the way to shore before trying to stand up. On the other hand, if someone else falls out of the boat, know the proper technique for pulling them back in. Bend down bracing your knees on the tube of the boat, and grab ahold of their shoulder straps on their PFD. Use your own weight to pull them straight on top of you by falling backward into the boat. This is a big reason to keep the straps on your PFD nice and snug!

6. Listen to your guide

Your guide is guiding you down the river for a reason. If you followed one of our previous tips and found a licensed professional to go with then they will know all the proper safety procedures to ensure you have a great time on the river!

Here at New Mexico River Adventures all of our guides are required to have CPR and First Aid certifications, but many of them step up themselves and also get their Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or EMT certifications.   Before every trip, our guides will give you a detailed safety talk to make sure you understand the protocol for staying safe on the river. We also have wetsuits, splash jackets, PFDs and helmets that you can use free of charge. Our top priority is ensuring that our guests have a safe and enjoyable experience out on the river!

After days of endless gloomy skies and rain, the clouds parted and the sun came out to shine. It was almost as if the powers above knew that it was about time for the 62^nd annual Mothers Day Race to begin! I walked swiftly back to my hut in the staff campground behind New Mexico River Adventures to get my boating gear on. In my hut, I slid into a cool wet suit that was still a little damp from the previous use, slipped on my wool socks and sandals, put chums on my eyeglasses, and grabbed my synthetic shorts and hoodie.

Back at the boatyard, we had already picked out our boat for the race, an NRS Osprey, it was all loaded on the trailer, river ready. My team was supposed to consist of three other staff members from NMRA, Jacob, Tony, and Auston. Ten minutes before leaving for the race we realized none of us had seen or heard from Auston the entire day.  In a frantic panic, we called his phone and found out that he was sick and sleeping in his van, unable to compete in the race.  We scrambled around the boatyard pleading to other staff members from NMRA to join our team last minute. The problem was everyone was already on a team and those who were not were too tired to compete after running a Taos Box overnight trip. With one man down we had no other option but to jump in the company van and head to the put in, hoping for a miracle.

The Quartzite put in was madness when we arrived, a sea of bodies gearing up and prepping boats near the edge of the rushing Rio Grande. Along with the contenders, there were spectators all over the place. We hopped out of the van and unloaded our boats and paddles, threw on our PFD’s and helmets, all while mentally preparing ourselves. My heart rate began to rise with anticipation of the race that was about to begin shortly. As we were waiting around for the race to begin Jacob came running back over to our boat with great news! A staff member from NMRA, Jack, had just arrived today for the 2019 season. He had no team for the race but had all his gear with him, our prayers had been answered, and we now had a four-man team!

With our spirits rejuvenated we devised our plan for the race. Tony and I would be up front in the boat, and Jacob and Jack would take the rear. The plan was set, and just then we heard the announcer over the megaphone say, “Racers, please take your position behind the yellow rope. The race is about to begin.” After a short introductory speech, they pulled the yellow rope tight and everyone got into their places.  The energy wafting through the air was a mix of excitement and nervousness.  “Racer’s take your marks, 5,4,3,2,1, GO!” announced one of the organizers through the megaphone. I watched the yellow rope drop to the ground in front of me and bolted towards our boat. With a running jump from shore, I dove into our boat feet first and smashed into the front tube launching our boat offshore and straight out into the current. It was the perfect boost to start the race! When I jumped in I had fallen backward over the front thwart and was lying on my back with my feet in the air. I scrambled into position as quickly as I could, grabbing my paddle while simultaneously shoving my left foot into the front foot cup and bracing my right foot under the thwart I had just fallen over. “DIG IT IN, ALL FORWARD!” yelled Jacob from the back right side of the boat. Like a Viking warship, we all instantaneously began to paddle forward.

For the beginning portion of the race, we stayed in first place. Jacob would call out commands, urging us to paddle hard for short bursts, and then we would take a few seconds to pause and catch our breath as we drifted downstream. The intention was to stay ahead but also conserve some energy in case we needed it later in the race. We whizzed past Saddle Rock and headed for Albert’s Falls! Between Albert’s Falls and Herringbone Rapid, we all paddled as hard as we could, taking long strokes with our paddles deep in the river. The second place boat was on our rear and we wanted to stay in the lead. As we entered the class III section of the Rio Grande known as The Narrows I began to feel a fuzzy sensation throughout my body. It felt as if I was a little dehydrated. “This is not the time for this to happen,” I thought to myself not daring to mention anything to my teammates. Then from behind me, I heard Jacob’s encouraging voice boom “All forward! Keep it together fellows!” Concurrently the bow of our raft crashed through the waves in The Narrows, and we kept paddling downstream, making sure to dig our paddles in at the trough of the waves and ride over the crests.

After exiting The Narrows and passing through Cheese Grater Rapid we began to get sucked into the big eddy that is on the river right.  As this happened the second place boat stayed in the current, passing us and taking the lead. We maneuvered our way back out into the river.  All of us were a bit flustered by what had just happened. “Take a moment boys, get it back together!” Shouted Jacob from behind. I felt my spirits drop as I watched the new leaders paddle out ahead of us. My arms and abs were tired from paddling my face off but there was no giving up. Tapping into my depleting energy reserve I kept paddling forward with all my might. A strategy I developed was to match the pace of my breathing with my paddling in order to take in oxygen and give my body a fighting chance to operate as efficiently as possible.

Up ahead was Glenwoody Bridge. At this point the river was at a high water level, making the gap between the river and the bottom of the bridge extremely tight. The normal move at times like this was to head to the left side of the bridge where you could safely pass under. But the current of the river passed under the right side of the bridge.  Jacob made the judgment call as we watched the first place boat head out of the current and to the left, “Alright boys, get ready to get down! We’re taking the right line under the bridge and staying in the current, this is a good chance for us to catch up!” Just before we were about to pass under the bridge all of us laid down in the raft getting as low as we could. The massive bolts and wooden posts passed mere inches over the tops of our heads. We jumped back into position immediately as we exited the underside of the bridge. Now, we were directly behind the first place boat with only inches between us.

We tried to pass them in the snake section before Big Rock Rapid but were unsuccessful.  As we approached Big Rock Rapid we took the line directly to the right of Pyramid Rock, launching our boat down the rapid. Still, though, we remained in second place. We were neck and neck as we passed Sleeping Beauty Rapid. Both of us passed the rapid on the left side not wanting the giant wave to slow us down.  After Sleeping Beauty we were determined to gain the lead again. We went for a pass on the left side of their boat and were unsuccessful. Then, we backed off and went for it again, this time on the right side, paddling with all our might. The sides of our boats were so close there was only room for one person on each boat to get paddle strokes in. I paddled vigorously using all my strength to get my paddle strokes in before their front right boatman could get his in. With a stroke of luck we passed them and regained the lead. At that moment all the pain and suffering that had been coursing through my veins seemed to dissipate. In its place, newfound energy I didn’t know existed fueled my body.

Looming ahead was the last rapid of the day, Souse Hole, the infamous rapid known to flip boats if you didn’t choose a good line. On the shoreline near Souse, some staff members from NMRA were waiting, screaming, cheering us on as they saw us come around the bend in first place. It gave us a much-needed boost of energy hearing the encouraging support from the edge of the river. We dropped into Souse on the left side hurling the boat through the granny line barely making a splash. “WOOOO, Yes BOYS!” hollered Jacob from the backend. We took the little sneak route after Souse seeing that it would be the fastest option at this high water level. The only remaining portion of the race was the Mellow Mile. No more big rapids, just smooth current. The objective now was to just stay in the current and paddle with everything we had left in us. It was the most intense moment of the race with the second place boat right behind us. I dug my paddle into the water using my whole body to pull the water. At one point we drifted a bit out of the main current and the boat behind us tried to go for a pass. Luckily Jacob was great at steering and nudged our front end just in front of their boat and forced them to bump our boat and keep us in the lead. We gained some ground ahead of them at this point and could see the finish line ahead. We were about to do it, we were about to bring home first place not only for us but also for the entire NMRA rafting family! As we crossed the finish line we screamed with joy! At the take-out point, a few of us flipped backward off the boat soaking ourselves in the river. I stood up in the river, my legs were shaking I was so exhausted from using all my energy.

Shortly after pulling the boat onto shore our staff that had been cheering from the edge of the river pulled into the take out and ran down to our boat, giving us all big hugs and congratulating us. Little did we know we had set a record, with a time of 31 minutes and 7 seconds, with our win at the 62^nd annual Mothers Day Race!

Everyone loves to have fun right? It’s a way we bring happiness into our lives. It’s a good thing. However, some fun things are a little more expensive than others; like a cruise, for example. But, having fun does not have to be expensive. There are many ways you can have fun without breaking the bank. And today, we want to show you one of those ways. We are going to be showing you why a Rio Grande rafting trip is better than a cruise.

Time Limits!

While a cruise is a fun first-time experience, the truth is that if you want to see spend more time in the place you arrive at, you won’t get the chance to. Most cruise ships port for about 10 hours, which is barely enough time to get off, get some food, maybe buy a souvenir and get back on. With a Rio Grande rafting trip, however, you’ll have plenty of time, before or after the trip, to go exploring the surrounding areas. So, when it comes to time limits, a ride down the Rio Grande has the upper hand.

Not on time? You’re left behind!

If you’ve gone on a cruise a few times, chances are you’ve heard stories about passengers who were left behind because they missed “Last Call.” Cruise ships are on tight schedules, which means that when they make the last call for people to get back on board, you either get on, or you will be stranded on whatever island you’re on. When that happens, if you left anything in your cabin onboard, it’s there for the remainder of the trip, and so are you.

Of course, when you go on a Rio Grande river adventure, people like to be on time, but, the difference here is that you won’t be stranded on a some island or foreign country. If you need to use the restroom one more time before you head down the rapids, you won’t have to worry about us waiting for you.

Not having fun? Too bad, you’re stuck!

When you’re on a cruise, whatever package you chose is the one you’re stuck with until the end of the voyage…even if you don’t like it. Of course, cruise passengers are usually able to meet people and mingle, but, if the activities onboard don’t interest you, or are too expensive for you, you’ll often find yourself with nothing to do.

On the flip side, however, when you book a trip down the Rio Grande, you won’t be stuck for days with nothing to do. In fact, since the trip themselves don’t usually take that long(unless you book a multiple-day trip), you’ll easily be able to go experience the other places near the river.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, you should know that, of course, cruise trips are fun in their own right. But, remember, you don’t need to spend a fortune simply to have fun. That is why we believe that a Rio Grande trip is far better than a cruise. But, it’s up to you to decide which is better for you.