New Mexico

Geology: Blue Hole, Carlsbad Cavern, Chuska Mountains, Manzanos Mountains, Membres, Rio Grande Gorge, Rio Grande, Rio Puerco, Sacramentos Mountains, Sangre de Christo Mountains, San Mateo Mountains, Ship Rock, Pecos, Valles Caldera National Preserve, White Sands, Zuni Mountains

Rio Grande Gorge

The Rio Grande Gorge runs from northwest to southeast of Taos, New Mexico, and cuts through the basalt flows of the Taos Plateau volcanic field. The gorge reaches a depth of 800 feet just south of the Gorge Bridge, now a popular Taos tourist attraction, which was completed in 1966 and spans the gorge ten miles northwest of Taos.

The Taos Gorge is known for its world class white water and steep pocketed rock climbing, as well as its hidden hot springs that flank the river for miles. Many ancient beautiful petroglyghs and ruins can be found along the banks of the river as well. Much of the rock art found in the gorge is the basis for the prints and patterns found on trinkets, mugs, and t-shirts sold in local tourist shops.

It is also the third highest bridge (650 ft) in the U.S, after the Royal Gorge Bridge (1053 ft) over the Arkansas river in Colorado and the New River Gorge Bridge (876 ft) over the New River in West Virginia.

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