New Mexico whitewater - Rio Grande, Sangre De Cristo Mountains, Taos/Rio Arriba County

Taos/Rio Arriba county, Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS II-III     8 miles
  The Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge stretch of Rio Grande is 8 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class II-III section. The starting location is a short drive from Taos, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking in this state are often easier than in other states, so keep in mind that quite a few of the sections here are pretty easy. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the
    river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. This stretch has has enough mileage, you can easily run it on an afternoon. The beautiful scenery of Taos/Rio Arriba County and the cool fresh water beats anything. The beautiful Sangre De Cristo Mountains
scenery is an added bonus. There are so many stretches to paddle in this river system, the Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge stretch is just one of many. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way there are lots of good spots for that around here. Great exercise and just hanging out with mother nature are great attractions for lots of people.

Briefly about the general area:
If you want a great time in the great outdoors just come on up to the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Rio Grande is usually a reasonably dry spot;
 
most of the rain falls throughout August while January is the month with the least amount of precipitation.
Summer brings highs in the 80's to Rio Grande. Through the moonlight hours it's commonly in the 40's. Highs throughout the winter are ordinarily in the 30's, and after the sun is down all through the winter temperatures at Rio Grande sink into the 0's. A good spot near Rio Grande is Ojitos Canyon, and a short tour to Horse Thief Shorty Rapid is always worthwhile.

Rio Grande, Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: II-III
Length: 8 miles
Average Gradient: 12 fpm
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 36.6481
Longitude: -105.6935

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 36.53499
Longitude: -105.7084

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Current weather conditions at Rio Grande, Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico
WXPort

Local climate location: TRES PIEDRAS 13 miles away


RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS

There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river.

Adobe and Stars Inn, Taos
8 miles away
Come see the starry skies! In March of 1996, Adobe & Stars opened its doors to guests seeking striking accommodations and a high level of hospitality in a majestic setting. It is situated just outsi...

Hotel La Fonda, Taos
13 miles away
Taos*s newest upscale hotel is also one of its oldest and the only hotel located on historic Taos plaza. All that the historic district has to offer is right outside the front doors of this newly and ...

Sagebrush Inn, Taos
14 miles away
Capture the elusive Southwest past at the Sagebrush Inn. Long a Taos landmark, the inn offers tradition, aesthetics and comfort - all at a reasonable price. Three miles South of Taos, it is removed ...



OTHER_INFO
  Sangre De Cristo Mountains Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.

Sangre De Cristo Mountains Outdoors Info
Complete outdoors info for the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.

All New Mexico Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in New Mexico.
Books about whitewater paddling on Rio Grande, New Mexico
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Rio Grande, New Mexico.
Find a whitewater outfitter in New Mexico

Whitewater Basics
If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info.
Outdoors Recreation Near Taos, New Mexico
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Taos, New Mexico, the metro area neareast to Rio Grande. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near Rio Grande.
 Whitewater Near Rio Grande:
Red River, -blank- County , 2 miles away, Class IV+ - 14 miles long (Highway 515 to Dunn Bridge)
Rio Grande, Taos/Rio Arriba County , 6 miles away, Class V - 6 miles long (Chiflo Campground to Little Arsenic Trail)
Rio Grande, Taos County , 9 miles away, Class III-IV - 14 miles long (John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge)
Rio Grande, Taos County , 12 miles away, Class II-IV - 14 miles long (Lee Trail to Chiflo Campground)
Rio Pueblo de Taos, -blank- County , 13 miles away, Class V+ - 3.5 miles long (to Taos Junction Bridge)
Rio Grande, Taos County , 21 miles away, Class III - 5 miles long (Taos Junction Bridge to Embudo Station Restaurant)
Rio Grande, Taos County , 21 miles away, Class II-III - 24 miles long (Lobatos Bridge Colorado to Lee Trail)
Rio Embudo, -blank- County , 24 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 5 miles long (Close to Rio Lucio to Highway 75)
 Ski Areas Near Rio Grande:
Taos, New Mexico , 17 miles away, 2612 vertical feet
Red River, New Mexico , 21 miles away, 1600 vertical feet
Ski Rio, New Mexico , 23 miles away, 2150 vertical feet
Sipapu Ski, New Mexico , 26 miles away, 1055 vertical feet
Angel Fire, New Mexico , 32 miles away, 2077 vertical feet
Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico , 45 miles away, 1703 vertical feet
Eldora, Colorado , 58 miles away, 1600 vertical feet
Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico , 61 miles away, 1410 vertical feet
Wolf Creek, Colorado , 90 miles away, 1604 vertical feet
Sandia Peak, New Mexico , 91 miles away, 1700 vertical feet
 Hotels Near Rio Grande:
Adobe and Stars Inn, Taos , 8 miles away
Hotel La Fonda, Taos , 13 miles away
Sagebrush Inn, Taos , 14 miles away
Best Western Kachina Lodge & Meetings Center, Taos , 14 miles away
Comfort Suites Taos, Taos , 14 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near Rio Grande:
Cebolia Mesa Campground, Taos County, 3 miles away
La Junta Campground, Taos County, 4 miles away
Little Arsenic Springs Campground, Taos County, 4 miles away
 Trails Near Rio Grande:
Devisadero Peak Loop Trail, Taos County , 16 miles away
Number 3 Lift Trail, Taos County , 17 miles away
Simpson Memorial Trail, Taos County , 18 miles away
Twining Blue Lake Trail, Taos County , 20 miles away
 National Parks Near Rio Grande:
Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Santa Fe - NM , 48 miles away
Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos - NM , 56 miles away

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater