Fees, Reservations & Other Information Orilla Verde and Wild Rivers are U.S. designated fee areas. Open year-round, fees are charged for day use and WELCOME TO THE RIO GRANDE camping at developed sites within the Recreation Areas. Individual campsites are available on a first-come, The Rio Grande travels 1,885 mites from the mountains The Recreation Areas are open year-round, first-served basis. Group shelters at each area may be of southern Colorado and north-central New Mexico to with limited facilities available in winter, because reserved at ( 505) 7 5 8-88 51. the Gulf of Mexico. S~Prlt"~otential difficult access and lack of water. In northern New Mexico, the river cuts through the The climate is semi-arid with summet' thunder­ Camping is permitted in designated sites only and fires must ancient Taos volcanic plateau to form the 78-mile long storms common in July and August. Snow is be contained in grills or fire pans (if no fire restrictions are Rio Grande Gorge. possible from November through March. Summer in place). Bring your own cookstove and/or firewood. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers temperatures range from 45° to 90° F and in the Recycle Bins and Trash Receptacles are located two Recreation Areas along the Gorge: Wild Rivers to winter from - 15° to 45° F. permits. Interpretive throughout the Recreation Area. Please use them. the .,_orth of Taos and Ocilla Verde to the south of Taos. Elevation ranges from 6,ooo to 8,ooo feet. Pack Out What You Pack In. Pets are welcomed throughout the Recreation Areas, but must be kept under control and on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted on Big Arsenic Trail or at freshwater springs. Please be considerate of others, clean up after your pet, and observe quiet hours. Cultural Resources sites and artifacts dating back many centuries have been found within the Recreation Areas. 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. How To Get Ther e Taos is located in north central New Mexico approximately 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe. Air and bus lines serve the region. From Santa Fe, About the BLM's Wild and Scenic Rivers driving time is r.2 hours; from Albuquerque, 2.2 hours. Experience the beauty of the Wild Rivers and Orilla The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is 3 5 miles north of Verde Recreat ion Areas, two national Wild and Taos; take Highway 522 to NM 378. The Orill a Verde Scenic Rivers protected by Congress. Recreation Area is i 6 miles south of Taos; take H ighway The Rio Grande and Red River are preserved in 68, then turn onto NM 570 at Pilar, NM. their natural free-flowing state for present a nd future generations to enjoy and appreciate. Visitor Centers BLM lands li e interspersed with private and Rio Grande Gorge Taos Field Office Native American lands; please respect la ndowners (505) 751-4899 (505 ) 758-8851 wishes for priwcl'.<.C}v. Wild Rivers • Zimmerman BLM Website T his area is public land managed by the BLM. (505) 770-1600 www.nm.blm.gov We ask you to be good stewards to preserve the area for future generations! BLM/NM/GI-05-02-1220 0RILLA VERDE WILD RIVERS RECREATION AREA RECREATION AREA At Orilla Verde, located 16 miles south of The Wild Rivers R ecreation Area is located Taos off H ighway 68, the road winds 35 miles north of Taos, at the confluence of the through the Gorge at river level, Red River and the Rio Grande. Take a scenic drive providing easy access for fishermen, r 800 feet above the river. The trails pas through white-water rafters, and campers. \ A open sage land on the mesa and enter an ancient pinon-juniper forest. This is a riparian area of cottonwood and willow growing along the riverbanks, A Visitor Center and several small developed providing homes for a variety of small campgrounds are located near the rim of the Gorge. birds. Beaver and muskrat often swim Visitors may see mule deer, elk, red-tailed hawks, and near the shore, and the air is filled with other residents of the upland forest. Overlooks the sound of flowing water. offer long-distance views and vistas of the Gorge. arson ' l ' • ~ y'..>\ Remnants of ancient lava flows, Location ofM ain Map Numerous trails for hiking and biking wind ~far \ tumbled into rockslides of dark basalt throughout the area, several trails descending steeply long ago, can be seen by looking ~ to river level, where fishing (and camping) arc popular upward from the bottom of the Gorge. ~N~ N activities for those who can make the descent. / '\, Hiking Serious hikers might want to visit Wild Rivers, as there centers. Commercial float trips are also offered through Birding habitat stamp in their possession. New Mexico's state Swimming Twenty-two m iles of rim and river trails offer a variety 1s a greater concentration of trails offering a va riety of outfitters licensed by the BLM. Ask for a commercial Birding may be enjoyed throughout the Rio Grande fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, is found in some Swimming and tubing are not recommended during of hiking options. Most trails begin from campgrounds experiences. Several trails lead from the rim of the Gorge boaters brochure. Motorized watercraft are not allowed corridor. Migratory waterfowl travel through the Rio stretches of the Rio. Non-native species are the German most of the year. CAUT!Of'I: Sw imming is dangerous where day use parking areas are available. CAUT!Of'I: down to the banks of the river. in the Rio Grande Gorge. Grande Flyway, moving from their breeding to wintering brown and rainbow trout, and Northern pike. Fishing and not recommended due to sw ift currents and cold Boating within the Wild Rivers Recreation Arca can grounds, and summer finds mallards and great blue regularions are available in the Visiror Centers. temperatures. Public nudity is not allowed in the Trails are steep and hiking can be strenuous. Good Biking be hazardous and requires expert white•vater skills and herons on the river. The Red River supports a fish ery of rainbow trout Recreation Areas. physical condition, stu rdy shoes and p lenty of drinking Un less posted otherwise, all BLM trails are open to biking specialized equipment. Prior to launching, a ll boaters Perhaps the best place for birdwatching is in the stocked by the Red River Fish Hatchery located upstream water are requirements. as well as hiking. The mountain biking opportunities in Firearms and Fireworks must register or obtain a permit at the Visitor Center or lower Gorge near Pilar. Here is a cottonwood-willow from the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. To improve trout The Recreation Areas offer good begi nner and northern New Mexico are outstanding in terms of scenic Discharging fi rea rms and fireworks or any other imp le­ Little Arsenic Trailhead. Ca ll 1-888-882-6188 for more riparian community that is crucial to a significant number fisheries, special trout waters are designated on all river intermediate trails, from five to ten miles in length, va lue and variety of riding experience. BLM lands offer ment capable of causing injury or damage to property is river information. of migratory bird species. Bald eagles are known to sections within the Recreation Areas. The daily bag limit which can be traversed most of the year. The trails pass challenge and reward for the beginner and expert alike. PROHIBITED within the Recreation Areas' boundaries. winter in this area; Southwestern will ow fl ycatchers and possession is four fish per license holder. through pinon-j uniper forest and open sageland; they Natural Hot Springs Rock Climbing nest in the strearnside willows. Hunting are best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon Manby (Stagecoach) Springs are located on the east bank Equestrian Use There are two locations for rock climbing: Dead Challa, At W ild Rivers, watch for red-tailed hawk, Hunting is not available in most of the Recreation rather than in the heat of the day. T he Rinconada loop of the Rio Grande. Access is from US 64 then onto a Equestrian use in the campgrounds is prohibited. off the West Rim Trail above Orilla Verde, and .John's golden eagle, Canada goose, and Am er.ican kestrel, Areas. Hunters are responsible for knowing where trai l at Wil d Rivers is suitable for children. private road. Please observe speed limits. Parking Wa ll , near the John Dunn bridge. as well as great horned owl. and when hunting is permitted. Orilla Verde trails offer a gentler hiking experience. Black Rock (John Dunn) Springs are located on Parking for day users not requiri ng facil ities is availa ble All rraii af:tliniul rthr ~mmuiry to see interesting Boating the west bank of rh r@ GJraJnde just below the Fishing at designated sites [n tf1e campgrounds and at estab­ Vehicle Use vegetation and geology. Get hiking information and maps River rafting 1s very popular throughout the Gorge. John Dunn Bridge. Access is from NM 522 then onto a Fishing is perm itted throughout the Gorge; fishermen li shed pullouts along the highway. Please do not occupy Off-highway vehicles (OHV) and all terrain vehicles (ATV) from the Field Office, Visitor Centers, and the website. Brochures for priva te boaters are available at the visitor county road to the bridge. 12 years and older must have a va lid license and designated sites if facilities are not needed.