Arroyo Hondo river run
Arroyo Hondo
There are several specific river rapids and obstacles along the Arroyo Hondo, including the "Boulder Drop," "Left Turn," and "Pinball." These rapids require expert maneuvering and offer a thrilling experience for advanced paddlers.
In terms of regulations, the Arroyo Hondo is located on public lands, and visitors are required to obtain a recreational use permit. There are also regulations in place to protect the natural environment of the area, including restrictions on camping and fires.
Overall, the Arroyo Hondo is a must-visit destination for experienced whitewater enthusiasts looking for a challenging and technical run in the beautiful New Mexico wilderness.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Arroyo Hondo -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Blw Taos Junction Bridge Near Taos | 252 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo De Taos Below Los Cordovas | 13 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Del Rancho Near Talpa | 3 cfs | → |
| Embudo Creek At Dixon | 4 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo Nr Penasco | 7 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Embudo | 264 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch
- Taos Junction Bridge Boat Takeout
- Taos Junction Bridge Taos County
- Nm 570 Taos County
- Lone Juniper Boat Launch
- Lone Juniper Boat Takeout
Other river runs
- Rio Pueblo De Taos
- Pilar/Race Course
- Serna Land Grant Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Nf Boundary
Campgrounds
- Taos Junction
- Petaca
- Petaca Campground
- Taos Junction Campground
- Orilla Verde Campground
- Rio Pueblo Campground
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Arroyo Hondo as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Arroyo Hondo
What's the optimal flow for Arroyo Hondo?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Arroyo Hondo.