Wild Rivers Recreation Area is located in north central New Mexico within the

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is an approximately area of public lands in Taos County, New Mexico, proclaimed as a national monument on March 25, 2013, by President Barack Obama under the provisions of the Antiquities Act. It consist ...

. Two rivers that run through the park, the

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The length of the Rio G ...

and Red River are National Wild and Scenic Rivers. NM 378 that traverses the recreation area is designated a New Mexico Scenic Byway. Recreational opportunities include whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, fishing and camping.

Geography

The recreation area is located in the high plains from

Questa Questa is a village in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,770 at the 2010 census. The village has trails into the Rio Grande Gorge, trout fishing, and mountain lakes with trails that access the Sangre de Cristo Mount ...

. It is accessed via NM 378 off of NM 522. It is located west of the

Sangre de Cristo Mountains ) , country= United States , subdivision1_type= States , subdivision1= , parent= Rocky Mountains , geology= , orogeny= , area_mi2= 17193 , range_coordinates= , length_mi= 242 , length_orientation= north-south , width_mi= 120 , w ...

, east of the

Tusas Mountains The Tusas Mountains are a mountain range in northern New Mexico, extending slightly into southern Colorado. They are considered the southeasternmost part of the San Juan Mountains. Grouse Mesa, , is the highest peak in the range. The mountains a ...

on the

Taos Plateau volcanic field The Taos Plateau volcanic field is an area of extensive volcanism in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. It is the largest volcanic field in the Rio Grande Rift, spreading over . The total erupted volume is estimated at . The age of most of ...

. The

and Red River, both designated

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542), enacted by the U.S. Congress to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free- ...

, intersect in the park at an deep canyon. It has ancient forests of juniper and piñon trees.Wild Rivers of the Rio Grande Gorge.
Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved August 12, 2014. Geographic features include volcanic cones, black rock canyons, and cliffs.Wild Rivers Back Country Byway
New Mexico Scenic Byways. Retrieved August 12, 2014.

Description

The recreation area has the following services: * Visitor center * Overlooks, including La Junta Point over the confluence of the Rio Grande and Red River * A 13-mile back country byway * Five campgrounds, picnic areas and restrooms * Two group shelters * Trails access the Taos plateau, Guadalupe Mountain, back country campsites or down to the river beds.

Petroglyph A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions ...

s are visible on the walls of the gorge. Many of the trails begin at the campgrounds. The recreation area is wheelchair accessible. Wildlife in the park include mountain blue-birds, red-tail hawks, mule deer and prairie dogs. Fishing and boating is available with stipulations for fishing licenses, boating permits and other requirements. Mountain bikes may traverse roads and the Guadalupe Mountain Trail, Rinconada Loop Trail, and Red River Fault Trails. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing activities are also available at the park. The recreation area is open throughout the year, but during the winter months road conditions should be checked prior to travel.Wild Rivers Back Country Byway.
Department of Transportation. New Mexico. Retrieved August 12, 2014. The Visitor Center is open between Memorial Day and

Labor Day Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United St ...

Wild Rivers Back Country Byway

The byway is a designated one of the New Mexico Scenic Byways and operated between an area two miles north of

and Cerro. The 13 mile byway— NM 378—has panoramic views that include many mountain peaks like Blanca Peak. It also provides access to park facilities, like the Wild Rivers visitor center and parking lots to campgrounds and trail heads.

Administration

The recreation is managed by the Taos Field Office of the

Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for administering federal lands. Headquartered in Washington DC, and with oversight over , it governs one eighth of the country's la ...

References

External links

Wild Rivers Recreation Area
Bureau of Land Management

Sangres.com {{authority control Rio Grande Bureau of Land Management areas in New Mexico Protected areas of Taos County, New Mexico Tourist attractions in Taos County, New Mexico