Our most popular full day trip on the Rio Grande. This Rio Grande Gorge rafting trip has it all and is perfect for the whole family!
Raft the Rio Grande Gorge (Full Day)
Summary Description
Highlights
- The most popular full day trip in New Mexico!
- Morning float through one of the most scenic parts of the canyon with great opportunities to see a variety of wildlife
- 6 miles of action-packed class 2-3 whitewater rapids: the Maze, Albert’s Falls, The Narrows, and The Thunderdome
- Birding and wildlife viewing potential along with ancient Rio Grande style petroglyphs (rock art) and desert freshwater springs
- Our guides are the best in the business, focusing on safety and guest service as a top priority!
- Great swimming opportunities!
Description
Our most popular full day trip on the Rio Grande. This Rio Grande Gorge rafting trip has it all and is perfect for the whole family! This full day adventure meets at either 8:30am or 9:30am and lasts for 5-6 hours. This trip also includes our signature hot chicken fajita lunch, riverside.
Your river trip begins with a morning float through one of the most scenic parts of the canyon with great opportunities to see a variety of wildlife including mule deer, river otter, beaver and many different birds of prey. After lunch, we run the Class III rapids of the “Racecourse.” The Racecourse is 6 miles of action-packed class 2-3 rapids. Perfect for everyone from beginners to intermediate/experts. There is something for everyone to enjoy on this section. With rapids like the Maze, Albert’s Falls, The Narrows, and The Thunderdome make sure you are braced in and ready to get wet!
Included / Excluded
- Safe secure parking, clean restrooms, changing rooms, shaded picnic tables
- Our signature hot chicken fajita lunch
- Shuttle to and from the river in our comfortable vans
- Type V, US Coast Guard approved flotation devices (lifejackets)
- Wetsuits and splash jackets available; helmets provided for Class 3 rapids and above!
- Gratuities
- Sunscreen, water shoes, hat or sunglasses - available for purchases
- Transportation to and from meeting location described in your confirmation email
Start / End Locations
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- Minimum age: 5 years old
- Online reservations require a 10% deposit at the time of booking.
- This trip meets at our private, Rio Grande Headquarters which is conveniently located 1 hour north of Santa Fe and 30 min. south of Taos.
- For groups of less than 18 people, we do not offer any refunds less than 72 hours before your scheduled trip time. If you cancel outside of this time frame, you will be eligible for a full refund.
- It is recommended but not mandatory that all our guests know how to swim.
- 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 do not have a secure area to keep your dog at our headquarters.
- We run our river trips rain or shine.
- Don’t forget good footwear (no flip-flops), layers and a water bottle.
- You must meet us at the appropriate meeting location described in your confirmation email.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 72 hours
Cancellation Notes: Our cancellation policy for groups of less than 18 people, for all Half and Full Day trips is that we do not offer any refunds less than 72 hours before your scheduled trip time. If you cancel outside of these time frames, you will be eligible for a full refund.
Options and Pricing
| Rio Grande Gorge (Full Day) | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Adult (13 - 99 years) | $124.01 |
| Child (5 - 12 years) | $107.68 |
Points of interest
- Pilar Campground, Carson, NM, USA
- Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center, New Mexico 68, Taos, NM, USA
- New Mexico River Adventures, New Mexico 68, Embudo, NM, USA
- Glen Woody Bridge, Dixon, NM, USA
- Jersey devil, Dixon, New Mexico, USA
- Orilla Verde Recreation Area, Pilar, NM, USA
- Río Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico 68, Embudo, NM, USA
- Sleeping Beauty, New Mexico 68, Peñasco, New Mexico, USA
- County Line River Access, New Mexico 68, Dixon, NM, USA
FAQ
Do I need to know how to swim?
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.
What do I need to wear?
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.
What if it’s my first time, do I need experience?
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.
Can I bring my dog? Can I leave my dog with you?
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.
HOW MANY PEOPLE FIT IN A RAFT?
Most of our rafts have a capacity of 6 paddlers, however, some can accommodate more and during seasons with lower water levels, we might take less paddlers in each raft. Please don’t think or your reservation in terms of rafts, rather, reserve for as many people in your group and we will pair you with the right number of rafts when you arrive. Private charters and private rafts may be available for an additional charge.
IS RAFTING SAFE?
Our guests’ safety is our number one priority. We will always be completely honest when pairing our guests needs and expectations with the appropriate adventure on the Rio Grande or Rio Chama.
IS TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED?
You must meet us at the appropriate meeting location described in your confirmation email. From there, all transportation to and from the river in included. For some groups who wish to customize their experience, we may be able to arrange a custom pick up and drop off at your hotel for an extra charge.We always recommend that all our guests visiting Northern NM bring or rent a vehicle as there are so many wonderful things to do that will require reliable transportation.
IS THERE A WEIGHT LIMIT? HOW PHYSICALLY FIT MUST I BE?
While there is not a weight limit, we are restricted by the size of our PFD’s. We can only accommodate chest sizes of 52” or less. If you have any concerns, just let us know your height and weight and we can usually tell from that.
DO WE WEAR HELMETS?
We provide helmets for all our guests on our Rio Grande trips class III and above, all inflatable kayak trips and all our SUP trips.
WHERE DO I KEEP MY STUFF WHILE I’M ON THE RIVER?
On all our Rio Grande trips, you will meet at our Headquarters where you will have nice changing rooms to use. You will be able to use your vehicle as your locker and we’ll keep your keys safe inside. Don’t worry, we’ve never had any issues in our safe, secure parking lot and we don’t want you losing your keys in the river.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE MY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
We will do our best! We have carefully crafted our menus to be inclusive of a variety of dietary preferences.
Basic Information
- Duration: 5 hours - 6 hours
- Trip difficulty: Moderate
- Category: Outdoor Adventure
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