NEW MEXICO RIVER RUNS

Last Updated: December 5, 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.

       

Location Streamflow (cfs) Difficulty (class)
Headwaters In Gila National Forest To Eastern Boundary Of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
5 II-IV
1/4 Mile Below The Power Lines To Confluence With The San Francisco River
5 NONE
1.5 Miles Above Confluence Of Left And Right Creek On Left Prong To Confluence Of Left And Right Prongs Dix Creek
5 III-IV
Headwaters Nf Rio Ruidoso To Nf Boundary
0 II-III
Confluence Of 2 Headwaters For South Fork (Sec 28, T10s, R11e) To Southern Boundary Of South Fork Campground
0 II-III
Headwaters (Sec 27, T8s, R17e) To Confluence Of Streams In Sec 34, T8s, R17e
0 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
26 NONE
Confluence With Harden Cienega Creek To Apache Sitgreaves National Forest Boundary
26 II-III+
Nf Boundary With Silva Ranch To The East To Nf Boundary With Tnc To The South
0 III-IV
15 Springs To Fr 106 Bridge
12 NONE
Headwaters (Off Continental Divide) To Nf Boundary With Private Land
0 III-IV
Headwaters To Nf Boundary
2 III-IV
North Boundary Of K135 To Southern Tip Of K136
58 III-IV
Concrete Bridge To Nf Boundary
1040 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With San Leonardo
1040 V
Confluence With San Leonardo To Nf Boundary
17 III
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Pueblo
17 II-III
Confluence With Rio Angostura To Osha Diversion
17 III+-IV
Headwaters To Junction Of Trails 707/68 (Sec 35, T12s, R11w)
2 NONE
Headwaters To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
115 III-IV
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary To Gila Wilderness Boundary
115 III-IV
Gila Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Gila River
5 NONE
Gila Wilderness Boundary (Below Snow Lake) To Gila Wilderness Boundary (Sec 24, T12s, R14w)
5 III-IV
Headwaters To Northern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm
5 II-III
Headwaters To Red River
1 NONE
Headwaters To Cabresto Creek
17 III-IV
Headwaters To Cabresto Lake
17 III-IV
Headwaters To Private Land Boundary
43 III
Spring Creek To Private Land Boundary
12 III-V
Hopewell Lake To Nf Boundary
43 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
43 III+
(La Cueva, Flechado, Gallegos, Tio Maes, La Presa) To Osha Diversion
17 II-III
Northern Boundary Nm To Eastern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm
5 II-III
Trail 810 To Private Land Boundary (T11s, R19w, Sec 6)
26 II-III
Headwaters To Trail 810
26 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
3 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho
3 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Rito De La Olla
3 II-III
Headwaters To Confluence With Big Dry Creek
26 II-III
Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek
2 III-IV
Junction Of Water Canyon And Holden Prong To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
2 III-IV
Aldo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
0 III-IV
Headwaters To Comanche Creek
1 II-III
Private Land Boundary Below Canjilon To Nf Boundary
672 III
Fr 106 Bridge To Confluence With Rio Chama
660 II-III
Confluence With Rito De La Olla To Nf Boundary
3 III
Goose Creek To Fawn Lakes Campground
17 III-IV
Headwaters To Red River/Upper Gaging Station
17 NONE
Abiqui Dam To El Rito Creek
660 III
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Confluence With Vaqueros Canyon
289 II-III
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary
289 NONE
Headwaters To Alamitos Diversion
17 III-IV
Headwaters To Santa Barbara Campground
1040 NONE
Santa Barbara Cg To Concrete Bridge On Fr 116
1040 III-IV
Headwaters Of Three Rivers, Including 5 Segments Branching South And East To Western Nf Boundary At Three Rivers Campground
0 II-IV
Nf Boundary To Above Mccrystal Campground
1 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
8 III-IV
Northern Boundary Of Sec 25, T18s, R11e To Confluence Of Sacramento River And Apple Tree Canyon
11 III-IV
Confluence Of Western Headwaters (Sec 36, T18s, R12e) To Northern Boundary Of Private Land
11 III-IV
Headwaters Rio Penasco, Water Canyon And Benson Canyon To Confluence Of Benson Canyon And Rio Penasco Sec 10, T17s, R12e
11 III-IV
Headwaters To Red John Box
623 III-IV
Red John Box To Nf Boundary
623 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
11 II-III
Headwaters To Comanche Point
1 III-IV
Main Fresnal Canyon From Eastern Boundary Sec 6, T16s, R11e To Main Fresnal Canyon To The Western Boundary Sec 6, R16s, R11e
11 III-IV
Headwaters Of Big Canyon To Nf Boundary
0 III-IV
Bridge On Hwy 522 To Red Wsr
39 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
1 III
Nf Boundary To Nf Boundary
1 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Diamond Creek
2 III
1/4 Mile Above The Powerlines To 1/4 Mile Below The Powerlines
5 NONE
0.5miles Above Confluence Of Left And Right Prongs Dix Creek On Left Prong To 0.1 Miles Above Diversion On Dix Creek
26 II-III
Gila
10 V
Trampas
24 III-IV
Bluewater Creek
2 III-IV
Rio Grande
84 NONE
Rio Pueblo De Taos
376 III-IV
Tierra Amarilla
84 II-III
Rio Nutrias
501 NONE
Rio Embudo
24 III-IV
Arroyo Hondo
376 NONE
Rio Bonito
0 III-IV
Ojo Sarco
24 II-III
Agua Caliente
10 III-IV