FAQ: What If It Rains?

    It’s late July, moving into early August for the 2017 Santa Fe and Taos rafting season. This time of year means monsoon season! We receive a lot of inquiries about our trips going out in rainy weather. Well, the show must go on! There’s just too much fun to be had out on the river, and we don’t let a few raindrops get in our way.

        Our Rio Grande Headquarters is located in the unique ecosystem of the high desert. This means high altitudes with little precipitation. The New Mexico sun is hot, and for the most part, New Mexico averages 280 sunny days a year! That means around 100 days or less that we receive rain on average; making rainstorms a bit of a special occasion for us, even during what’s considered monsoon season. These rainstorms typically blow in during the late afternoon, providing a welcome relief to the warm, dry summer days. Rain on the riverside cliffs brings out all the beautiful colors in the desert landscape, washing the dust from the rocks and letting the thirsty foliage drink deeply. It’s also not uncommom to see a variety of beautiful waterfalls off the canyon rim as a result of these storms.  The local fauna appreciate it just as much, many animals come out in the rain to cool off or catch a drink. You can spot little 5 lined skink lizards lapping up the drops from the leaves and rocks on the river banks, and you’re more likely to see a frog or turtle in the rain as well. Rarely do the storms last the better part of half an hour, and before you know it, the sun is out, drying everything off as quickly as the rain came in.

        Did we mention that we plan to get wet on our river trips, sunny and rainy days alike? We outfit our guests with the full intention of big splashes, swims, and good clean fun on the river! That’s why we just can’t see how a little rain could impede the fun. Not only do we have excellent safety gear, but our guides also provide clean splash gear to help keep you comfortable, as well as cozy fleece if you do end up getting a little chilly. Regardless of the weather, we always suggest you wear synthetic clothing when boating with us, and opt to save the cotton clothes for after you’re done on the river.

       We love boating. We love the outdoors, and everything that comes with it… the sun, the rain, the wind, the amazing experiences, memories, and the camaraderie.  Give us a call or reserve your trip online with us today, and plan the adventure that you’ll never forget- regardless of the weather.