Taos - Whitewater Rafting

An exception to the rule in New Mexico, the mountains surrounding Taos pack enough winter precipitation in their rugged faces to support river running and whitewater rafting on an annual basis. The Rio Chama, which converges with the Rio Grande just to the south of Taos, sports serene waters that wind along the scenic Rio Chama river corridor. After the Rio Chama-Rio Grande confluence, the pumped up water enters the Orilla Verde National Recreation Area and the 400 foot deep, infamous 'Taos Box', a chaotic box canyon that is studded with technical class III-V rapids, and then eases into the class II-III Lower Gorge. Several local outfitters run both the Rio Grande and the Rio Chama commercially during the spring and summer months and visitors can check with the BLM offices or the Forest Service in Taos for more information on outfitters or waterway specifics, rules & regulations.

Whitewater rafting trips and rentals in the Taos area are offered by the guides and outfitters listed below. Click on any name for more information. For information on rivers in the area, select River Information.