Red River Wild and Scenic River
2025 update: The La Junta Trail is closed until further notice due to unsafe trail conditions. Access to the confluence of the Red River and Río Grande can be reached by hiking down Little or Big Arsenic Trails.
The Red River, located within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, is designated Wild and Scenic for its lower 4 lower miles before it joins with the Río Grande. Flowing out of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, the Red River was the head of a smaller Rio Grande of ancient times. Scientists believe that some 400,000 years ago, a closed drainage basin with no outflow existed in the San Luis Valley to the north in Colorado. With changes causing the region to become wetter, the lake within this basin overflowed to the south and drained into the Red River. The volume of water continued to increase as it cut through the earth, forming the modern Río Grande Gorge we know today. As a result, the Red River became a tributary and the headwaters of the Río Grande repositioned to central Colorado.
The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is on the mesa above the Red River. Exceptional views of the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River is found at the La Junta overlook in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.
Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
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Trails are steep and hiking can be strenuous, most have an elevation gain anywhere between 300 – 800 feet and are two miles or more roundtrip. A parking area, some interpretive signage, and water spigots can be found at the trailheads.
- To safely navigates these trails, visitors need to be able to handle steep, technical trail sections, have sturdy shoes, be able to carry drinking water in various weather conditions, and camp in primitive conditions.
- Boating in this area can be extremely hazardous, requiring superior skills and endurance. Visitors need to be able to handle rapids, cold water, boating for several miles, and/or swimming to safety if the need arises.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Fees
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Day Use: $3 per vehicle.
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A $20.00 annual day use pass, good for the calendar year, is available.
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Camping: $7.00/night for up to two vehicles. Maximum two vehicles and 10 people per site.
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Additional vehicles may park in day use parking for $3.00/day.
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Wild Rivers Inner Gorge Primitive campsites: $5.00/night.
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Wild Rivers, La Junta, and Aguaje group shelters: $30.00 per day, $40.00 per night.
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Group shelter reservations are made by submitting a request through BLM_NM_TAFO-Admin@blm.gov.
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Facilities
- Wild Rivers Zimmerman Visitor Center
- Open five days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Wednesday and Thursday. Inclement winter weather may impact these hours.
- For more information, contact the Taos Field Office at 575-758-885.
- Wild Rivers Inner Gorge Primitive campsites. Three trails provide access to Red River:
- The Big Arsenic Trail is a difficult 1-mile one-way trail with a 680-foot elevation drop to the Red River.
- The Little Arsenic Trail is a difficult 1-mile one-way trail with a 760-foot elevation drop to the Red River.
- El Aguaje Trail is a moderate ¾ miles one-way trail with an elevation drop 560 feet to the Red River.
Nearby Amenities
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The nearest location to acquire food, gas, and water is ~15 miles away in Questa, NM via NM-378 E.
Season/Hours
- Open year-round.
- Winter conditions can be severe and make hiking/boating conditions difficult.
Special Rules
- Boating – Boating in this area can be extremely hazardous, requiring superior whitewater skills and specialized equipment. River access requires hiking boats and equipment into the gorge.
- All boaters must register by calling the River Program at the Taos Field Office (575) 758-8851 prior to launching.
- Fishing – Río Grande anglers are challenged by Rio Grande Cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout, as well as northern pike. The Red River supports a fishery of rainbow trout stocked by the Red River Fish Hatchery located upstream of the Recreation Area. To improve trout fisheries, Special Fishing Regulations are in effect.
- All anglers must have a valid New Mexico fishing license and a Wildlife Habitat Improvement Validation in their possession. Fishing licenses are sold in Questa. The daily bag and possession limit is 4 fish per license holder.
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Hunting - Most of the Recreation Area is closed to hunting (except for the Guadalupe Mountains area);
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Hunters are responsible for knowing where/when they are permitted to hunt.
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Pets must be kept under control and on a leash at all times.
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Discharge of fireworks or firearms is prohibited within the Recreation Area.
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Trash receptacles are located at all campgrounds/picnic areas. Pack out what you pack in!
BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS
Wildlife in Area
- Bighorn sheep
- Deer
- Elk
- Bats
- Rainbow trout
- Northern pike
Phone
Activities
Addresses
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
From Taos, follow NM 68 north 7 miles. Take NM 522 approximately 20 miles to Questa. Travel 3 miles past the stoplight in Questa to NM 378. Turn left onto NM 378, then follow the signs about 12 miles west to the Wild Rivers Recreation Area Visitor Center.
Fees
Yes