NMRA is looking forward to sharing our love of white water rafting in New Mexico with you this summer! Whether you join us for a half day trip down the Racecourse or a three day trip on the Rio Chama, we have just the adventure for you! Our Stand Up Paddle Boarding program has become very popular as we are the only company in the state with professional and certified Paddleboard instructors and we look forward to sharing the fun new sport with you. Also, don’t forget about our Specialty trips on the Rio Chama.  Our Gourmet trip is always a hit and we also offer a beer lovers trip with Bosque Brewery as well as our annual Music Trip.  Call for more details!

New Mexico River Adventures is excited to invite larger groups to add on our famous Chicken and Veggie Fajita Lunch either before or after your adventure with us right here at our headquarters! We are offering Fresh and Hot Fajitas with tender chicken, sauteed veggies, black beans, red chile rice, our own special fajita sauce, fresh fruit, cold drinks and dessert at $10 per person. You can also feel free to grab a growler from our neighbors at Blue Heron Brewing to enjoy with your meal. Call our office to add this on to your trip! Don’t wait to book your trip- whether you are wanting to go kayaking, paddle boarding, or white water rafting in Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, we’re ready for you!

Lucky Us!  That seemed to be the shared sentiment a friend and I had as we got out for a quick paddle on the Racecourse and Bosque sections of the Rio Grande the other day.  As is typical this time of year in New Mexico, the Rio Grande has plenty of water and the weeks often bring some days with bright and beautiful skies and nice warm temps despite plenty of ice that has settled onto the Basalt rocks throughout the Rio Grande river corridor. One of the many special things about living in the Gorge is that the river flows throughout a good part of the winter exceed our Aug and September flows which means there is plenty of water to enjoy on practically all the sections of the Rio Grande that we run commercially and privately.  The other great aspect of paddling in the winter here is of course the wildlife.  Our winter residents include multiple pairs of Bald Eagles, otters, coyote, elk and deer to name a few.  The Bald Eagles are always active throughout the day and are easy to spot in the wide open winter cottonwoods lining the river banks. Find your favorite New Mexico rafting trip with New Mexico River Adventures and experience the Rio Grande for yourself!

The 5 best rapids on the Rio??  Usually this is an impossible task as each rapid is wonderful in it’s own way and at varying water levels.  However, as winter sets in and we dream about more whitewater…lets give it a shot.  We narrowed the list down to only rapids that are found on the sections of river we raft.  Here we go!

#5:  Thunderdome aka Big Rocks

This rapid is so much fun at all different levels.  At our lowest levels, it becomes the most difficult rapid on the Racecourse.

#4:  Rock Garden

Rock Garden is the longest and certainly one of the most consequential drops on the Taos Box section.  This rapid has great character as it starts very slowly and picks up speed culminating in a great stright away of high intensity moves around rocks and large hydraulics.  Don’t fall out of the boat!

#3:  Razorblades

The Razorblades rapid is basically a quarter mile long section of continuous class 3 and 4 moves in one of the most remote section of the Rio Grande.  Although this section is seldom runnable due to water levels being either too high or too low.  When the conditions are right, this rapid provides some of the highest intensity paddling of any other on the Rio.  Don’t miss this section if you like Adventure!

#2:  Powerline Falls

Probably the most well known rapid on the Taos Box rafting section.  This is also know as the steepest drop on the river.  At low and medium flows, the approach to Powerline is nothing less than stunning.  Hands down one of the largest and most daunting horizon lines of any rapid in the west.

#1:  Sous Hole

Sous Hole takes the prize as the best overall rapid on the Rio Grande for lots of reasons.  At lower flows, the splashes and surfing here are some of the best and certainly a spectacular way to end your time on the river on those hot July and August days.  At higher flows, this rapid is so big it attracts hundreds of spectators with lawn chairs set up just to see the action.  The pool below this drop often times feels like a Coliseum!

One of the great things about living in the Rio Grande Gorge is the changing colors of the fall.  As September comes to a close and October marches on, the face of the Rio Grande changes dramatically.  The cottonwood choked river corridor turns an amazingly bright color of yellow at its peak and electrifies the entire canyon.  While some people think that the Northeastern U.S. is synonymous with iconic fall foliage and autumn colors, we in New Mexico know differently, that this is truly a unique and incredible In terms of river running, the changing of the seasons often times means an increase in water levels.  This is one of the many reasons we are so lucky to live on the banks of the Rio Grande.  As the lowest water levels in Sept. and Oct. disappear and the snow starts to fall in Nov., our sunshine filled days often times bring increased flows for us to enjoy just before the dark of winter sets in.  The mix of these colder, crisp days, bright shining sun and beautiful colors on the banks makes for a truly spectacular setting.  We love New Mexico!

With the Holidays right around the corner, we’d like to say thanks by offering a special 20% off of our most popular trips for the 2016 season! This is the largest discount we offer each year and a great opportunity to Give the Gift of Adventure to friends and family.  This offer will be good through the end of 2015 and can be applied to Gift Certificates or reserved trips on the Taos Box, the Rio Grande Gorge or the Racecourse. It is looking like a great winter which means great water for the 2016 season.  As we can never guarantee this time of year, we certainly hope to see great, runnable flows for the Taos Box from mid May thropugh June and early July!  As for the Racecourse and Rio Grande Gorge full day trip, these will be available daily from April 1 until Oct 1.  Don’t miss this great opportunity to save huge on your 2016 adventure! Just enter promo code 2016Gift at checkout and we’ll see you on the river! Book Your Trip!

New Mexico River Adventures is proud to announce that we have more access to the world-class Rio Chama rafting trip than any other outfitter in New Mexico. What this means for you is that there are more trip dates and options for you to explore this amazing wilderness rafting trip. Ask our reservation staff about our 3 Day Rio Chama trip most popular among our returning guests!

Rafting rapids, hiking mountains, trekking out to the wilderness — these adventures are what bucket lists are made of. If you’ve decided this summer is the time to check some items off your list of life goals, you should start making travel plans to visit two of the best western US destinations for outdoor excitement: New Mexico and Colorado.

New Mexico

When you go rafting in New Mexico, you also get access to world-class kayaking, canoeing, camping, backpacking, hiking, peak climbing and mountain biking. There’s an adventure for every age and experience level, so don’t hesitate to bring the whole family along. If you’re looking for a truly special outdoor getaway, you should consider custom rafting trips in New Mexico. New Mexico River Adventures is always dreaming up new ways to make river trips even more memorable for our guests. In the past, specialty trips have included gourment meals, wine and beer tastings, live music, yoga retreats, and more!

Colorado

If rafting world-class rapids is on your bucket list, you also should consider a Colorado rafting trip this summer. The Colorado and the Arkansas are two of busiest rafting rivers for a reason: they are home to incredible rapids and some great river tour companies. While you’re in the Rockies, you should take advantage of Colorado zipline tours. If zipping far above the trees over a cliff or down a mountainside isn’t on your bucket list yet, it should be. Head Out West! New Mexico River Adventures can help you cross a bunch of items off your bucket list this summer. Contact us today to learn more about specialty trips or white water rafting in New Mexico! For memorable outdoor adventures in Colorado, contact AVA Rafting & Ziplining and ask about rafting and ziplining packages available now!

Where should you take your family this summer? Choosing a destination for a summer vacation can be hard, especially if the budget is tight and mom, dad, and the kids can’t agree on what would be the most fun. Here are some great options to consider as you try to get everyone on the same page for your 2015 family summer vacation plans.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

You can’t go wrong with an outdoor vacation. Teaching children to enjoy the wonders of nature is a valuable life lesson, and it’s ensures that they are active and engaged throughout their summer trip. Head out to the mountains for a hike, find an interesting campground, or try some white water rafting. These are all great outdoor experiences for the entire family, young and old. A couple of great outdoor spots to check out include Yellowstone National Park, Saguaro National Park, Black Hills of South Dakota or the Great Smoky Mountains. Try New Mexico family rafting if you are looking for memorable experiences on the water.

Taking a Trip Out of North America

This may seem a bit expensive, but you don’t really have to go too far to get out of the U.S. In fact, you can drive or fly cheaply across the border to Mexico. Staying in Mexico can be quite affordable, especially if you decide to rent a place, rather than stay in a resort or hotel. Mexican vacation rentals can be cheaper options that still allow you to have privacy, peace and quiet and plenty of space for the entire family. By staying in a rented home rather than a hotel, you will be able to comfortably experience the real Mexico alongside locals, rather than as a tourist.

Traveling Overseas

If money allows, you can also go to historic sites in Europe, like London, Berlin, Rome and Paris. It can be a fun and educational experience for the entire family, especially if it’s their first trip. During the summer, the weather will be excellent for hitting up the beach for views and water sports as well. Wherever you and your family decide to go, make sure that it’s fun and memorable!

Known best for its Bavarian theme, Leavenworth Washington is also a hidden gem for outdoor recreation. Here is a short list of fun and exciting things to do in Leavenworth.

Rock Climbing With countless world class climbing routes it’s no wonder climbers all across the world plan destination trips to get the chance to get on the rock here in Leavenworth. You will find incredible routes varying in difficulty just minutes from downtown. Some popular climbing spots include Icicle Canyon, Tumwater Canyon, and Peshastin Pinnacles.

Mountain Biking Do you plan on bringing your bike along? Leavenworth has you covered there too. Make sure to consider checking out the following trails when you plan your next visit. Leavenworth Ski Hill, Freund Canyon, Xanadu trail and Devil’s Gulch.

Whitewater Rafting The Summer months bring warm temperatures to the area. What better way is there to cool off then rafting on the river? Maybe you’ve always wanted to try downriver stand up paddling or a whitewater kayak instruction course? Either way, Wildwater River Guides can get you out on the river. Join the experience today.

Wineries & Breweries Is outdoor recreation not really your thing? Or maybe you are just looking for a way to unwind after a great trail ride or trip down the river? Leavenworth has a handful of great wineries including Icicle Ridge Winery, Silvara Vineyards, and Wedge Mountain Winery. Also make sure to check out Icicle Brewing Company in the heart of downtown Leavenworth for tasty beers on tap and fun outdoor atmosphere.

Hiking The hiking trails are endless around Leavenworth and you won’t have to drive very far to find them. Some must ‘do’s’ include, Icicle Creek Trail River Loop, Icicle Ridge, Fourth of July trail, hiking the Enchantments (all Enchantment Lakes), or just a stroll around Leavenworth Waterfront park.