Experience the Culture and History of our Rivers
Discover the wonder of rafting on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama with the president of Los Rios Runners, Cisco Guevara. Cisco calmly navigates the roaring whitewater of the Taos Box and other sections of the Rio, while providing valuable insight on the culture and history of the unique landscapes across New Mexico from his decades of experience traversing their routes. Don your life jacket and experience the thrill of river and waterway adventure!
Meet Cisco Guevara
Cisco Guevara is a New Mexico living legend, founder of rafting company Los Rios River Runners, and has been running the Rio Grande and Rio Chama for over 50 years! His unparalleled knowledge gives thrill-seekers on the main waterways of New Mexico the experience of a lifetime. Cisco is also a fervent advocate for the protection of the Rio Grande and its surrounding wildlife, having founded Amigos Bravos to support the revitalization of watersheds and to hold polluters accountable. Revitalize yourself and learn about the distinctive culture and history of New Mexico while traveling through the canyons and waterways with Cisco!
The Rio Grande and Rio Chama
The Rio Grande is the fourth-longest river in the U.S. and flows from Colorado through New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Chama is a major tributary of the Rio Grande, and while magnificent in its own right, is much shorter than the Rio Grande. Both rivers cut and weave through different rock formations and landscapes, changing their characteristics from aggressive whitewater sections with severe currents, to more mellow and tranquil passages. Find your ultimate adventure, or relax by serene waters and magnificent landscapes along both of these major waterways!
Adventures Along the Rio
Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Spanning 40,000 acres, Elephant Butte Lake State Park is New Mexico's largest state park. Relax on the beach, take to the water on your preferred watercraft, or hop in the calm waters for a swim. There are developed campsites, RV hookups, and beach camping is available for those who would like to stay the night! Attend one of the birding or fishing events at the park or plan your trip around the Elephant Butte Lake Balloon Regatta at the end of summer to see colorful hot air balloons take flight from the beach!
Bosque del Apache
Bosque del Apache is a National Wildlife Refuge spanning nearly 58,000 acres along the Rio Grande. Birding is an extremely popular activity here, as it is known mainly for the thousands of sandhill cranes, geese, birds, and ducks that migrate to and from the refuge yearly. Take a tour with members of local Audubon societies or attend the Festival of the Cranes during the winter to experience the migration of thousands of cranes and other birds.
Abiquiú
Settled in the 1730's, the village of Abiquiú is an ancient Spanish settlement in northern New Mexico, and it's also built on even older ruins from Ancestral Puebloans in the Rio Chama valley. Its nearby vibrant canyons and mountains have been featured in many movies, and most famously were home to artist Georgia O'Keeffe, who derived immense inspiration from the surrounding landscape. Explore the adjacent lake and river or delve into the serenity of Ghost Ranch's mesas and hoodoos to channel your inner artist.
Rio Grande del Norte Monument
Rio Grande del Norte Monument has been a hub for human life for thousands of years. See evidence of this activity throughout the plains of the monument in petroglyphs, Ancestral dwellings, and early homesteading locations. Traverse the rugged canyons and plains, view the volcanic formations and gorges, and camp or hike the high-desert wilds in this historic monument.
Scenic Adventures in the Village of Chama
The village of Chama is one of New Mexico's hidden gems, settled in high in the southern Rockies, so come and experience its rugged charm year-round. Fish the Rio Chama for trout, hike or bike the nearby Continental Divide Trail, or take a ride on the historic Cumbres and Toltec Railroad in the warmer months for a scenic experience unlike any other.