Orilla Verde Recreation Area

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

FEES 

• Self-service pay stations are located at the campgrounds and Taos Junction Bridge. Please bring exact change or checks to pay the fees.  

• Day Use (6 a.m. to 10 p.m): $3/day per vehicle to use the area. A $20 annual day use pass, good for the calendar year, is also available.  

• Camping: All camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations are available. Maximum 2 vehicles and 8 people per site.

  • $3/day for additional vehicles may park in day use parking areas
  • $5/night primitive campsites 
  • $7/night developed campsites
  • $15/night RV site
  • $30/day use or $40/overnight Taos Junction Group Site & Rio Bravo Group Shelter. 
    • The Rio Bravo Group Shelter and Taos Junction Group Site does not include a shelter or electricity, but group camping and day-use is still available. Each of the group sites accommodate up to 40 people which includes up to 15 vehicles. 
    • Reservations are made by submitting a request through Randy Roch at rroch@blm.gov, Kyle Conway (Assistant Lower Gorge Manager) kconway@blm.gov, or calling 575-751-4718. 

FACILITIES 

• Río Grande Gorge Visitor Center. For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 575-751-4899. 

  • From Mid-April - October, the Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days/week. 
  • Winter hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Staffing issues may result in unexpected closures. 
  • Ample parking, a large changing room building, two restrooms, and a gift shop. 

• Orilla Verde Recreation Area includes many trails, seven campgrounds, boat launches, picnic tables, grills, drinking water, restrooms, and campground hosts. 

  • The Pilar and Río Bravo Campgrounds offer RV sites with water and electric hookups (no sewer).  
  • Most campgrounds are equipped with shelters, tables, grills, and restroom facilities.  
    • The showers at Rio Bravo campground are open now; showers take only quarters. The cost is $1 (4 quarters) for 4 minutes, then a quarter per minute. 
    • Arroyo Hondo, Lone Juniper, and Rio Pueblo campground do not have shelters or water.  
    • Taos Junction campground closes for the winter, Nov. 1 - Mar. 15. 

• Boat Loading Docks – The Río Grande is a whitewater river ranging from Class I to Class VI rapids, and other river hazards. The segment through Orilla Verde provides an ideal area for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.   

  • Launching or takeout is only allowed at the following boat ramps: Taos Junction, Lone Juniper, Río Bravo, and Quartzite.
    • Please observe the Pilar Quiet Zone through the village of Pilar.  
  • Life jackets, with the interior label showing for whitewater use, is required to be worn for all boating and floating including stand up paddle boards and inflatables.  
  • All boaters must comply with State of New Mexico and BLM regulations for boating safety, equipment, and registration.  

Nearby Amenities 

• The nearest location to acquire food, gas, and water is ~13 miles away in Rancho de Taos via NM-68 N.  

Season/Hours 

• Open year-round. 

Special Rules 

• An overnight camping fee is required for anyone choosing to remain in the recreation area beyond the day use hours. 

• Camping is permitted at designated sites only.  Please observe quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. No amplified music allowed 

• Campfires are allowed in grills or fire rings only. Camp stoves are recommended. 

• Firewood collection is prohibited. Please do not leave your fire unattended. 

• Pets must be kept under control and on a 6-ft leash at all times, and owners must clean up pet waste. 

• All anglers must have a valid New Mexico fishing license and a Wildlife Habitat Improvement Validation in their possession. Licenses are available online.  

  • Anglers need to be aware of special restrictions which apply in this area. New Mexico’s fishing proclamation is available at the Visitor Center.    

• Biking is not allowed on the La Senda del Medio and Picuris trails. 

• Discharge of fireworks or firearms is prohibited within the Recreation Area.  

• Trash receptacles are located at all campgrounds/picnic areas. Pack out what you pack in! 

• Sites and artifacts dating back many centuries have been found within the Recreation Area. Please protect these valuable resources of the past.  

  • Removal or disturbance of these artifacts destroys valuable information and is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. 

• Nudity is not allowed in the Recreation Area. Swimming is not recommended in the Río Grande is dangerous due to swift currents and cold temperatures, if you do so it is at your own risk.  

BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

• Río Grande del Norte National Monument Orilla Verde  

Wildlife in Area  

• Bighorn sheep 

• River otters 

• Bobcats 

• Waterfowl 

FACILITIES

The Visitor Center is located 1 mile south of the Recreation Area in the village of Pilar at the intersection of NM 570 and NM 68. The Orilla Verde Recreation Area is located along NM 570.

The Recreation Area includes trails, seven campgrounds, boat launches, picnic tables, grills, drinking water, and restrooms.

Four of the campgrounds have drinking water and shelters available. Pilar Campground and Río Bravo Campground both have RV sites with water and electric hookup (no sewer).

FEES

Self-service pay stations are located at the campgrounds and Taos Junction Bridge. 

• Day Use: $3/day per vehicle to use the area for 30 minutes or more. An annual day use pass, good for the calendar year, is available for purchase at the visitor center for $20. 
• Camping: 
  • All camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations are available.
  • $5/night primitive campsites.
  • $7/night developed campsites.
  • $15/night RV site.
  • Extra vehicles $3/day.
  • Maximum 2 vehicles and 8 people per site. (Additional vehicles may park in day use parking areas for $3/day).
  • Please bring exact change or checks to pay the fees. 
  • Annual day use passes do not apply to camping fees.

The Rio Bravo Group Shelter and Taos Junction Group Site reservations can be made by emailing Mariah at mariahmartinez@blm.gov or calling the TFO main line at 575-758-8851. 
Taos Junction Group Site does not include a shelter or electricity but group camping and day-use is still available. Each of the group sites accommodate up to 40 people which includes up to 15 vehicles. Fees for the group sites are $30/day use (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.) and $40/overnight (7 p.m. - 10 a.m.).  Additional vehicles are $3 per vehicle.

The showers at Rio Bravo campground are open. Showers take only quarters and the cost is $1 (4 quarters) for 4 minutes, then a quarter per minute.