Rio Grande Racecourse Half Day
Difficulty
Mild to Moderate
Duration
Half Day
Price
$72 Adult | $62 Child
Age
5
Orilla Verde Family Float
This is the perfect trip for everyone in the entire family or those who just feel like a lazy float down the river. It also affords us time to practice paddling techniques, swimming and simply enjoying the Rio Grande.
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Half Day
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Rio Grande
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Age 3
$72 Adult
$62 Child
Book Now
$62 Child
Pro Tip: The perfect half day trip for those not interested in rapids.
Who Is This For?
A Relaxing And Scenic Float
This trip through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area is the perfect relaxing float for little kiddos that want to focus on swimming and playing, older guests more interested in floating and relaxing instead of whitewater and guests who simply want to have ample opportunities to birdwatch, look for otters and bighorn sheep or simply soak in the views in the beautiful canyon which is the latter part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
What To Expect?
Thrills For The Whole Family
This trip meets at our Rio Grande Headquarters and the entire experience takes about 3 hrs. You will park in the safe, secure parking lot at our Rio Grande Headquarters and your car will act as your locker while you are on the trip.
Highlights
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Float through our National Monument
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Mellow stretch of river for all ages
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Ample swimming opportunities
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World class, informative guides
Trip Details
Where To Meet
This trip meets in the morning or afternoon and our Rio Grande Headquarters. Our Headquarters is conveniently located between Santa Fe and Taos. Don’t forget to arrive early or stay later after your trip for a delicious meal at our food truck. For directions to our Headquarters, please Click Here.
What To Bring
The basic list of what to bring is shorts, t-shirt, hat and good footwear (anything but flip flops). It is also nice to have a waterbottle, sunscreen and a change of dry clothes for after the trip. Please be sure to reference our specific list of what to bring which is included in your confirmation email which you will receive immediately after reserving your trip.
Break It Down Title
1
Meet Up + Gear Up
After arriving and checking in at our Headquarters, you will be introduced to your trip leader. This is when we will outfit you in all of the necessary rafting gear, cover a detailed safety orientation and then take the short 10 min drive to the starting point.
2
Get On The River
Once arriving at the river, we will ready the boat, review paddling and sitting instructions and begin our float. Be sure to keep an eye out for a variety of birds of prey, river otters and bighorn sheep. The scenery of this canyon and relaxing nature of this trip are sure to please any nature lover.
3
Take Out + Return
After taking out, we will load up in our vehicle and take the short drive back to our Headquarters. You can retrieve your keys from our front desk and change into dry clothes in our private changing rooms. Feel free to relax on our patio or grab a bite to eat before heading off.
REVIEWS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, the Orilla Verde Float is ideal for beginners and guests who want a mellow, scenic river experience. It’s designed for people who are more interested in relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the Rio Grande than paddling through rapids.
No, the Orilla Verde Float is best for guests who are not looking for rapids. It’s a relaxing half-day float through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area with calm water, swimming opportunities, and canyon scenery.
You’ll float through the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument with views of the canyon and chances to see birds of prey, river otters, and bighorn sheep. It’s a great option for guests who want scenery, wildlife, and a slower-paced river trip.
The full Orilla Verde Float experience takes about 3 hours, including check-in, gearing up, a short drive to the river, time on the water, and return transportation back to NMRA’s Rio Grande Headquarters.
Yes, this is one of NMRA’s most family-friendly trips. The float is open to children as young as 3 years old and takes place on a mellow stretch of the Rio Grande, making it a great choice for families with younger kids.
It is recommended but not mandatory that all our guests know how to swim. All guests are given Type V, US Coast Guard approved flotation devices (lifejackets) that are designed to float you on your back, nice and high in the water. For all our class 3 and above sections on the Rio Grande, you will also be issued a helmet.
We have packing lists for you to review for each of our different trip types. Remember that the weather changes dramatically throughout the New Mexico rafting season. It can be significantly colder during March-May we encourage our guests to always be prepared.
There is no experience required for any of our river trips. However, we encourage experience for our more difficult, Taos Box and Razorblades trips. Please feel free to call us with any concerns or questions about appropriate trips for your group.
Unfortunately, we cannot bring our furry friends on our river trips. We ask that you leave your pets at home before heading to our headquarters.
We do not have a secure area to keep your dog at our headquarters. Moreover, the temperatures get extremely hot during our season, because of this, you will NOT be able to leave your pets in your car. We ask that you leave your pets at home before heading to our headquarters.
24 Hours On The Rio Grande, White Water Rafting
Difficulty
Mild to Moderate
Duration
Multi Day
Price
$295
Age
6