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New Mexico whitewater, Rio Grande
Taos
county,
John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.
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CLASS III-IV 14 miles
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This is the Taos Box run. Remote run through deep basalt canyon. Season is fairly short compared to the Racecourse below, but it is a great run. Can be a little crowded on weekends and holidays. Says Cullen Hallmark
Whitewater rafting and kayaking in New Mexico is often easier than elsewhere, so you'd better keep in mind that quite a few of the sections in this state are pretty easy. The starting location is a short drive from Taos, |
as you can see on the road map further down. The wonderful New Mexico scenery and the water flowing gracefully down Rio Grande are reasons enough to come here and paddle. There's camping available near Rio Grande. The John
| Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge section of Rio Grande in Taos County is 14 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class III-IV section. There aren’t any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. You can enjoy this section more if you take your time, so go ahead and pack your camp stove. This is not the only paddling | |
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stretch in this river system, there are others too. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots.
Briefly about
the general area: It's always wonderful to check out Yellow Bank Rapid; lots of people from Taos come here. Take a hike on the Devisadero Peak Loop Trail. Summertime highs at Rio Grande mostly tend to be in the 80's,
and through summer nights temperatures are in the 40's. Daytime highs during the winter are in the 30's; after the sun is down through the winter temperatures at Rio Grande fall into the 0's.
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Rio Grande, John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.
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Map
 Detailed Map
Stats
 Stats for this river stretch
Weather
 Local weather forecast
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These outdoors activities are available near Rio Grande. |
| Whitewater Near Rio Grande:
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Rio Pueblo de Taos, -blank- County, 5 miles away Class V+ - 3.5 miles long (to Taos Junction Bridge) |
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Rio Grande, Taos County, 6 miles away Class III-IV - 14 miles long (John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge) |
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Rio Grande, Taos County, 11 miles away Class III - 5 miles long (Taos Junction Bridge to Embudo Station Restaurant) |
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Rio Grande, Taos/Rio Arriba County, 12 miles away Class II-III - 8 miles long (Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge) |
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Rio Embudo, -blank- County, 14 miles away Class IV-V(V+) - 5 miles long (Close to Rio Lucio to Highway 75) |
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Red River, -blank- County, 15 miles away Class IV+ - 14 miles long (Highway 515 to Dunn Bridge) |
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Rio Pueblo, Taos County, 15 miles away Class -blank- - 15 miles long (Rio Lucio to Confluence Rio Grande) |
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| Ski Areas Near Rio Grande:
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Sipapu, New Mexico
, 20 miles away, 1055 foot drop, 4 lifts, 31 runs |
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Taos, New Mexico
, 21 miles away, 2612 foot drop, 13 lifts, 110 runs |
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Red River, New Mexico
, 26 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 7 lifts, 58 runs |
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Angel Fire, New Mexico
, 31 miles away, 2077 foot drop, 7 lifts, 74 runs |
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Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico
, 36 miles away, 1725 foot drop, 7 lifts, 69 runs |
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Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico
, 55 miles away, 1410 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs |
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Sandia Peak, New Mexico
, 83 miles away, 1700 foot drop, 6 lifts, 30 runs |
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Wolf Creek, Colorado
, 94 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs |
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| Hotels Near Rio Grande:
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Sagebrush Inn Conference Center, Taos
, 9 miles away |
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Super 8 Taos, Taos
, 9 miles away |
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Days Inn Taos, Taos
, 9 miles away |
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Hampton Inn Taos, Taos
, 9 miles away |
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Quality Inn Taos, Taos
, 10 miles away |
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| Trails Near Rio Grande:
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Devisadero Peak Loop Trail, Taos
, 13 miles away |
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Comales Sheep Driveway, Taos
, 16 miles away |
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North End Trail, Taos
, 17 miles away |
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Simpson Memorial Trail, Taos
, 17 miles away |
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| Public Lands Near Rio Grande:
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Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Santa Fe - NM
, 39 miles away |
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Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos - NM
, 49 miles away |
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Carson National Forest, New Mexico
, 31 miles away |
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Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico
, 35 miles away |
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Morphy Lake State Park, New Mexico
, 36 miles away |
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