Rio Grande Gorge
Rio Grande Gorge
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
This 800-foot-deep gorge in northern New Mexico offers exciting whitewater rafting, hiking trails around the rim and observation platforms with spectacular views of the winding river below.
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4.5
72 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
15
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jennifer L
Madison, CT9 contributions
June 2011 • Couples
This seasoned team of energetic, enthusiastic, extremely polite rafting experts, delivered the the perfect grand finale for our vacation ! As novices, we were fortunate to have the owner, Matt Gontram as our guide ( Along with Chrisman and Ryan as our "shadow rafters"). My wife had some initial reservations about the excursion but Matt's thoughtful and respectful assurances got us confidently under way. As added unexpected pleasures, we were treated to a small lunch on the side of the river as well as a digital photos of our trip at the end. Matt has many fascinating stories to share about his broad global rafting experiences and he's built a small company with a great combination of charm and operational excellence. We decided somewhat spontaneously the night before to take this small adventure & we sure picked the right outfit for our first time !
Written 17 June 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrDray
Bonner Springs, KS40 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I was all prepared to hike down from the bridge trail when I ran across a local who told me about the hot springs down another trail. Yes a genuine, non commercial, free, hot springs in the bottom of the Gorge. It was very easy to find and only a mile hike down and up - round trip. Even someone in modest shape could make the hike easily. And the reward is three natural hot tubs and a fourth tepid hot tub and, of course, you can swim in the river as well. Here are easy directions. Go to the airport outside of Taos and find Tune Road on the opposite side. Simply follow Tune road until you get to a place where you can see a parking lot that will probably have cars in it (to the left). It is right on the edge of the Gorge. If you go too far on Tune road, it gets real rough and is clearly not maintained, just turn around and come back as short way to the parking lot. There are some small rusty old signs along the road that say "Manby Hot Springs," but you may miss them. I am thrilled that I learned of this and took the hike down. Be sure and take water, and use the restroom at the top, there are none in the bottom.
Written 8 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jfslenes
Albuquerque/Taos58 contributions
One of the best relatively easy running, hiking, and biking trails begins at the South edge of the West visitor area of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. I say easy because it is almost flat, very minimal ups and downs. Not certain of how many miles the trail extends but it is a very good way to spend part of your day while at the bridge site. As with any outdoor activity around NM, be prepared: water, layered clothing, sunscreen. Enjoy! For more info on activities, snow report summaries (til end of ski season), and lodging specials, visit our Talk About Taos Tourism blog: http://talkabouttaostourism.blogspot.com
Written 25 March 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just_Us_Dos
Houston, TX41 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
We didn't want to get stuck on the river for the whole day so the half day Biking and half day Kayaking was the perfect combo option. The Native Sons Adventures guide was Alex who was very good and patient at settling into a pace that we could comfortably follow, both on the bikes and in the kayak. Biking through the brushes and to the rim of the gorge was really fun and offered a great view. The kayak (funyak) was alot of fun since the water was too low for a real rafting adventure. Many thanks to Bob (the owner) for suggesting going down the river in a kayak instead of a raft in that condition! We had a great time and would highly recommend it!
Written 24 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellenchantress
Birmingham, AL19 contributions
This place had a strange, unexpected, and powerful effect on me. It seemed to pull every emotion I had stifled in the past year and sent them jetting out into the atmosphere. I felt a great sense of relief afterward.
I have since heard that the Taos area is full of power and mystery, but I had not heard this prior to my visit so that could not explain the impact of the place.
I have since heard that the Taos area is full of power and mystery, but I had not heard this prior to my visit so that could not explain the impact of the place.
Written 8 April 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cap Chastain
Anchorage, AK17,444 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
This is an absolute DO-NOT-MISS attraction. I RECOMMEND that you visit the Rio Grande Gorge DURING MID-DAY. I made three visits so I had all of the bases covered. My first visit was during the early evening and photographically I had to choose between brilliant and blinding sunlit gorge walls or walls pitch black in deep shadows because the setting sun was down on the far distant horzon. Going out at 2pm proved to be a great time because both sides of the gorge walls were in direct daylight. There is a very nice park / picnic area adjacent to the HWY 64 Gorge Bridge. You can also see the Rio Grande Gorge on HWY 68 South of Taos.
Written 24 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel19413
Enid, OK1 contribution
Truly one of the greatest wonders anywhere!!! The whole area is awesome. W O W
Written 13 March 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stevieweavie2013
Cedar Hill, TX75 contributions
Oct 2016
There are many ways to view the awe of this gash in the earth's crust-600 feet below the rim. The easiest way to view is driving across it on US 64, There are observation areas on both ends, and in the middle of the bridge span. Walking over the bridge is somewhat un-nerving with traffic crossing. On good weather days, there are impromptu gatherings of locals selling handiwork and refreshments along the highway. Look for the wrecked car about half way down the gorge on the Taos side. Wonder how it got there?
Written 25 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ImmerWandern
Palos Park, IL11,893 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
We were heading north on highway 68 from Santa Fe to ski in Taos when, on our right, a huge gash opened up in the desert plateau. It turned out that this was the famous Rio Grande running in a gorge into the mesa or Taos plateau. We made a point of visiting it on the way back after skiing in stead of passing through Taos. First we viewed the gorge from the bridge. It was late afternoon so most of the gorge was cast in shadow, though the river did glow below us, reflecting the bright afternoon sky. The river flowed 565 feet below the bridge. The bridge is almost 1300 feet in length. Sharp-eyed visitors spotted bighorn sheep grazing on the steep sides of the gorge. The view of the snow-capped Taos Mountains across the mesa is magnificent; there are no foothills of note and the mountains rise almost straight up from the plateau.
We then drove parallel to the gorge following the river downstream on route 567 and down some switchbacks into the gorge itself where it becomes route 570. We crossed a bridge at the bottom of the gorge where we saw the ramps the rafting companies would presumably use to launch their clients into the river. We drove along the river until the road rejoined highway 68 and we were back on our way to Santa Fe. Warning: this route becomes a dirt road starting at the switchback and can get very dusty especially with a vehicle in front of you. Do NOT take a low-clearance vehicle down here.
The obvious thought is that the Rio Grande eroded through the Taos plateau to create the gorge, but it turns out that this is actually a rift valley, a split created by movements of the continental plates in the earth's crust. The river essentially flowed into this rift and is undoubtedly cutting deeper into the plateau.
If you have the time when in Taos be sure to check out.the Rio Grande Gorge.
We then drove parallel to the gorge following the river downstream on route 567 and down some switchbacks into the gorge itself where it becomes route 570. We crossed a bridge at the bottom of the gorge where we saw the ramps the rafting companies would presumably use to launch their clients into the river. We drove along the river until the road rejoined highway 68 and we were back on our way to Santa Fe. Warning: this route becomes a dirt road starting at the switchback and can get very dusty especially with a vehicle in front of you. Do NOT take a low-clearance vehicle down here.
The obvious thought is that the Rio Grande eroded through the Taos plateau to create the gorge, but it turns out that this is actually a rift valley, a split created by movements of the continental plates in the earth's crust. The river essentially flowed into this rift and is undoubtedly cutting deeper into the plateau.
If you have the time when in Taos be sure to check out.the Rio Grande Gorge.
Written 2 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goldrushgal
Citrus Heights, California106 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
This is a must when traveling to the Taos area. Once out of town all you see is open land until all of a sudden this gorge opens up before you. Near Taos the Rio Grande River is just a flat lazy, drifting waterway. But then there is the gorge, beautiful, rugged and deep. Go across the bridge to the parking area and walk back. Locals set up tables here with their wares. There is also a rest stop just past the bridge. There is a trail from the rest stop that allows you to hike up the gorge. Don't miss this amazing work of nature.
Written 5 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos in a scene from a recent Tom Cruz scifi movie?
Written 27 August 2016
did you find hot springs(natural hot tubs) along the Rio?
Written 27 August 2016
drdray answers the hot springs question in "beautiful but know the secret" review..."Go to the airport outside of Taos and find Tune Road on the opposite side. Simply follow Tune road until you get to a place where you can see a parking lot that will probably have cars in it (to the left). It is right on the edge of the Gorge. If you go too far on Tune road, it gets real rough and is clearly not maintained, just turn around and come back as short way to the parking lot. There are some small rusty old signs along the road that say "Manby Hot Springs," but you may miss them. I am thrilled that I learned of this and took the hike down. Be sure and take water, and use the restroom at the top, there are none in the bottom."
Written 27 August 2016
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