Rinconada Loop Trail

The Rinconada Loop Trail is a wide, 5-mile long, all weather surface, beginner level trail within Wild Rivers Recreation Area. It offers great views, easy access to all of the campgrounds, and opportunities to see normally elusive wildlife. This scenic trail can be enjoyed through all seasons on foot, horseback, or mountain bike during warm weather and by snowshoe or skis in the winter.  

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

  • The Rinconada Loop trail is a mostly level, gravel trail. To navigate this trail, visitors need to be able to hike for several miles across a gravel trail with mild hills, share the trail with other hikers, mountain bikers, and people on horseback. Wildlife crossing the trail may cause delays.  

    • The trail travels through all of the campgrounds and offers plenty of opportunities to rest, use the restroom There are several interpretive signs along the trail.   

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Fees 

  • Day use fee of $3/vehicle. 

Facilities 

  • Wild Rivers Visitor Center 

    • For more information, contact the Taos Field Office at 575-758-885.  

      • Open five days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Wednesday and Thursday. Inclement winter weather may impact these hours

  • Wild Rivers Recreation Area

Nearby Amenities 

  • 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 regular hiking difficult. 

Special Rules 

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

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

  • Camping is permitted at designated sites only.   

    • Please observe quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. No amplified please.  

  • Pets must be kept under control and on a 6-foot leash at all times, and pet waste must be cleaned up 

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

  • Permits are required for commercial, competitive, and organized group events. 

BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

Wildlife in Area  

  • Bighorn sheep 

  • Ravens 

  • Bats 

  • Mule deer 

  • Lizards 

Phone

575-758-8851

Email

blm_nm_tafo_admin@blm.gov

Activities

Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a bird perched on a branch.
BIRDING
Iconograph of two tents sites and a pine tree.
CAMPING AREA
Iconograph of a person on horseback
HORSEBACK RIDING
Iconograph of a horse and a tent
HORSE CAMPING
Iconograph of a bicyclist going up a rocky hill.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING
Iconograph of a person snowshoeing
SNOWSHOEING
Iconograph of a person running on a trail
TRAIL RUNNING
Iconograph of a letter V
VISITOR CENTER
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING

Addresses

Taos Field Office
1024 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur
Taos
New Mexico
87571

Geographic Coordinates

36.680277, -105.672652

Directions

Three miles north of Questa, take NM 378 to Wild Rivers Recreation Area, follow signs for the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and Wild River Visitor Center. Rinconada Loop crosses the road in several places that are marked with trail markers.  

Fees

Yes

Stay Limit

14 Days