Explore Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River (New Mexico)

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The Rнo Grande Wild and Scenic River, located within the Rнo Grande del Norte National Monument, includes 74 miles of the river as it passes through the 800-foot deep Rнo Grande Gorge. Flowing out of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the river journeys 1,900 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Here the river flows in a rugged and scenic part of northern New Mexico. Approximately 69 miles (111 km) of the Wild and Scenic River in Texas is within Big Bend National Park; the remainder is downstream of Big Bend. Three rugged canyons are preserved under this designation: Boquillas Canyon is the most accessible, as it can be reached via a popular RV campground; Mariscal Canyon can only be entered via a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle; and entrance to the Lower Canyon, due to rapid size, is only possible by signing a National Park Service liability or "acknowledgement of risk" waiver. The Wild and Scenic River designation does not include Santa Elena Canyon, which is the most popular recreational area in Big Bend. The river was made a part of the National Wild and Scenic River System in 1968; among the first eight rivers Congress designated as Wild and Scenic. The river gorge is home to numerous species of wildlife, including big horn sheep, river otter, and the Rнo Grande cutthroat trout. The Rнo Grande Wild and Scenic River provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities, luring anglers, hikers, artists, and whitewater boating enthusiasts. Two developed recreation areas are located along the river: Wild Rivers on the north and Orilla Verde in the south. In addition to these scenic recreation areas, a spectacular vista of the gorge is seen from the High Bridge Overlook where highway 64 crosses. This area has attracted human activity since prehistoric times. Evidence of ancient use is found throughout the area in the form of petroglyphs, prehistoric dwelling sites and other types of archaeological sites.The river gorge is home to numerous species of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, river otters and the Río Grande cutthroat trout. Two developed recreation areas are located along the river—Wild Rivers on the north and Orilla Verde in the south. In addition to these scenic recreation areas, visitors can enjoy a spectacular vista of the gorge from the High Bridge Overlook where Highway 64 crosses the river. Recreation opportunities include biking, camping, fishing, hiking/backpacking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding and whitewater boating. The designated wild and scenic river corridor begins at the New Mexico/Colorado state line and ends at Rinconada, approximately 1 mile downstream of the Taos/Rнo Arriba County line.

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