NEW MEXICO RIVER RUNS

February 9 2025

New Mexico offers a variety of thrilling whitewater opportunities for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts. One popular destination is the Rio Grande, particularly the Taos Box section. This 16-mile stretch of river features Class IV rapids and stunning views of the surrounding canyons. The optimal streamflow level for the Taos Box is between 500-800 cubic feet per second, providing a challenging yet enjoyable experience for experienced paddlers. Another must-visit spot is the Chama River, known for its scenic beauty and diverse rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV. The optimal streamflow level for the Chama River is between 400-800 cubic feet per second, ensuring a fun and safe journey for all skill levels.

For those seeking a more remote and challenging adventure, the Pecos River offers a rugged and wild experience with Class III-IV rapids. The best time to paddle the Pecos River is during the spring runoff when streamflow levels are higher, usually around 300-600 cubic feet per second. Safety is paramount when navigating New Mexico's whitewater rivers, so be sure to check streamflow levels, wear appropriate gear, and always paddle with a buddy. By following these tips and exploring the diverse whitewater opportunities in New Mexico, you're sure to have an unforgettable and exhilarating experience on the water.

Kayak


Location Streamflow (cfs) Difficulty (class)
Headwaters In Gila National Forest To Eastern Boundary Of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
1 II-IV
1/4 Mile Below The Power Lines To Confluence With The San Francisco River
53 NONE
1.5 Miles Above Confluence Of Left And Right Creek On Left Prong To Confluence Of Left And Right Prongs Dix Creek
53 III-IV
Headwaters Nf Rio Ruidoso To Nf Boundary
1 II-III
Confluence Of 2 Headwaters For South Fork (Sec 28, T10s, R11e) To Southern Boundary Of South Fork Campground
1 II-III
Headwaters (Sec 27, T8s, R17e) To Confluence Of Streams In Sec 34, T8s, R17e
1 III
Headwaters (Hale Canyon) To Nf Boundary
0 III-IV
Headwaters To Eastern Boundary Private Land
0 III-IV
Arizona/New Mexico State Line To Confluence With Harden Cienega Creek
165 NONE
Confluence With Harden Cienega Creek To Apache Sitgreaves National Forest Boundary
165 II-III+
Nf Boundary With Silva Ranch To The East To Nf Boundary With Tnc To The South
7 III-IV
15 Springs To Fr 106 Bridge
36 NONE
Headwaters (Off Continental Divide) To Nf Boundary With Private Land
7 III-IV
Headwaters To Nf Boundary
2 III-IV
North Boundary Of K135 To Southern Tip Of K136
65 III-IV
Concrete Bridge To Nf Boundary
187 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With San Leonardo
187 V
Confluence With San Leonardo To Nf Boundary
48 III
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Pueblo
48 II-III
Confluence With Rio Angostura To Osha Diversion
48 III+-IV
Headwaters To Junction Of Trails 707/68 (Sec 35, T12s, R11w)
7 NONE
Headwaters To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
244 III-IV
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary To Gila Wilderness Boundary
244 III-IV
Gila Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Gila River
53 NONE
Gila Wilderness Boundary (Below Snow Lake) To Gila Wilderness Boundary (Sec 24, T12s, R14w)
53 III-IV
Headwaters To Northern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm
53 II-III
Headwaters To Red River
2 NONE
Headwaters To Cabresto Creek
22 III-IV
Headwaters To Cabresto Lake
22 III-IV
Headwaters To Private Land Boundary
123 III
Spring Creek To Private Land Boundary
36 III-V
Hopewell Lake To Nf Boundary
123 NONE
Eastern Boundary Of Private Land Along Sitting Bull Canyon In Sec 19, T24s, R22e To Eastern Nf Boundary
0 III-IV
El Rito Ranger District Boundary To Felipito Bridge
123 III+
(La Cueva, Flechado, Gallegos, Tio Maes, La Presa) To Osha Diversion
48 II-III
Northern Boundary Nm To Eastern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm
53 II-III
Trail 810 To Private Land Boundary (T11s, R19w, Sec 6)
165 II-III
Headwaters To Trail 810
165 II-III
Below Ellis Ranch To Private Land Boundary
3 III-IV
Headwaters To Nf Boundary (To Eastern Parcel Of Forest Valley Subdivision)
0 NONE
Serna Land Grant Boundary To Nf Boundary
12 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho
12 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Rito De La Olla
12 II-III
Headwaters To Confluence With Big Dry Creek
165 II-III
Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek
7 III-IV
Junction Of Water Canyon And Holden Prong To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
7 III-IV
Aldo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
784 III-IV
Headwaters To Comanche Creek
2 II-III
Private Land Boundary Below Canjilon To Nf Boundary
155 III
Fr 106 Bridge To Confluence With Rio Chama
474 II-III
Confluence With Rito De La Olla To Nf Boundary
12 III
Goose Creek To Fawn Lakes Campground
22 III-IV
Headwaters To Red River/Upper Gaging Station
22 NONE
Abiqui Dam To El Rito Creek
474 III
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Confluence With Vaqueros Canyon
515 II-III
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary
515 NONE
Headwaters To Alamitos Diversion
48 III-IV
Headwaters To Santa Barbara Campground
187 NONE
Santa Barbara Cg To Concrete Bridge On Fr 116
187 III-IV
Headwaters Of Three Rivers, Including 5 Segments Branching South And East To Western Nf Boundary At Three Rivers Campground
1 II-IV
Nf Boundary To Above Mccrystal Campground
2 III-IV
Confluence Of Turkey Canyon And Robinson Draw (Sec 33, T24s, R22e) To Confluence Of Turkey And Dark Canyons In Sec 26, T24s, R22e
0 III-III
Confluence Of Horse Canyon Headwaters In Sec 11, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Horse And Payne Canyons In Sec 1, T25s, R22e
0 III
Headwaters Of Horse Spring In Sec 13, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Horse Spring And Horse Canyon In Sec 11, T25s, R22e
0 III-IV
Headwaters Of Side Channel In Sec 12, T25s, R22e To Horse Canyon In Sec 2, T25s, R22e
0 III-II
Headwaters In Sec 12, T25s, R22e To Payne Canyon In Sec 1, T25s, R22e
0 III-IV
Long Canyon To Nf Boundary
17 III-IV
Northern Boundary Of Sec 25, T18s, R11e To Confluence Of Sacramento River And Apple Tree Canyon
13 III-IV
Confluence Of Western Headwaters (Sec 36, T18s, R12e) To Northern Boundary Of Private Land
14 III-IV
Headwaters Rio Penasco, Water Canyon And Benson Canyon To Confluence Of Benson Canyon And Rio Penasco Sec 10, T17s, R12e
13 III-IV
Headwaters To Red John Box
628 III-IV
Red John Box To Nf Boundary
628 III-IV
Headwaters Of Middle Fork Big Canyon And North Fork Big Canyon To Nf Boundary
0 NONE
Headwaters Of Cottonwood Canyon In Sec 32, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Cottonwood And Dark Canyons In Sec 10, T25s, R22e
0 III-V
Southern Boundary Of Sec 3, T26s, R21e Along Dark Canyon To Confluence Of Dark And Fir Canyons In Sec 25, T25s, R21e
0 III-IV
Headwaters Of Channel In Sec 9, T24s, R22e To Sitting Bull Canyon
0 III-IV
Pine Canyon (East Of Private Land In Sec 26, T24s, R21e) To Confluence Of Sitting Bull Canyon And Last Chance Canyon
0 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Sec 12, T18s, R10e To Nf Boundary At Oliver Lee State Park
13 II-III
Headwaters To Comanche Point
2 III-IV
Main Fresnal Canyon From Eastern Boundary Sec 6, T16s, R11e To Main Fresnal Canyon To The Western Boundary Sec 6, R16s, R11e
13 III-IV
Headwaters Of Big Canyon To Nf Boundary
0 III-IV
Bridge On Hwy 522 To Red Wsr
48 III-IV
Headwaters Of All Streams Within Mckittrick Canyon Watershed To Nf Boundary
0 II-III
Eastern Boundary Of Private Land In Sec 2, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Turkey And Dark Canyons In Sec 26, T24s, R22e
0 III-IV
Headwaters To Costilla Creek
2 III
Nf Boundary To Nf Boundary
2 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Diamond Creek
7 III
1/4 Mile Above The Powerlines To 1/4 Mile Below The Powerlines
53 NONE
0.5miles Above Confluence Of Left And Right Prongs Dix Creek On Left Prong To 0.1 Miles Above Diversion On Dix Creek
165 II-III
Gila
304 V
Trampas
48 III-IV
Bluewater Creek
2 III-IV
Rio Grande
72 NONE
Rio Pueblo De Taos
376 III-IV
Tierra Amarilla
72 II-III
Rio Nutrias
147 NONE
Rio Embudo
48 III-IV
Arroyo Hondo
376 NONE
Rio Bonito
1 III-IV
Ojo Sarco
48 II-III
Agua Caliente
12 III-IV

       

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