Wild Rivers Recreation Area facts for kids
The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is a super cool place in north-central New Mexico. It's part of the bigger Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Two important rivers, the Rio Grande and the Red River, flow through this area. These rivers are so special that they are called "National Wild and Scenic Rivers." This means they are protected for their amazing natural beauty and fun activities. The road that goes through the area, NM 378, is also a special "New Mexico Scenic Byway" because of its beautiful views. You can do lots of exciting things here like whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, fishing, and camping!
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Discovering the Landscape
This awesome recreation area is found on high plains, about 20 miles (32 km) from a town called Questa. You can get there by taking NM 378 off of NM 522. The area sits between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Tusas Mountains to the west. It's also part of a place called the Taos Plateau volcanic field, which means it has cool features from old volcanoes.
Rivers and Canyons
The famous Rio Grande and Red River meet up right here! They flow through a deep canyon that is about 800 feet (244 m) deep. Imagine how tall that is! The park also has very old forests with juniper and piñon trees. You'll see interesting things like old volcanic cones, dark rock canyons, and tall cliffs. It's a great place to explore nature!
What Can You Do Here?
The Wild Rivers Recreation Area has many things to make your visit fun and easy.
Visitor Services
- A helpful visitor center where you can learn more.
- Amazing viewpoints, like La Junta Point, where you can see exactly where the Rio Grande and Red River meet.
- A 13-mile (21 km) scenic road called the back country byway.
- Five campgrounds, perfect for sleeping under the stars.
- Picnic areas and restrooms.
- Two group shelters if you're visiting with a big group.
Trails and Activities
You can find many trails that lead to the Taos plateau, Guadalupe Mountain, or down to the river beds. Some trails even take you to special campsites in the back country. Keep an eye out for Petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) on the canyon walls! Many trails start right from the campgrounds. The recreation area is also set up so that people using wheelchairs can enjoy it too.
Wildlife and Fun
You might spot some cool animals here, like mountain bluebirds, red-tail hawks, mule deer, and prairie dogs. If you like fishing or boating, you can do that too! Just make sure you have the right fishing licenses and boating permits. You can ride your mountain bike on the roads and on specific trails like the Guadalupe Mountain Trail, Rinconada Loop Trail, and Red River Fault Trails. For the adventurous, there's whitewater rafting, kayaking, and even rock climbing!
The park is open all year round. But if you plan to visit in winter, it's a good idea to check the road conditions first. The Visitor Center is open from late May (Memorial Day) to early September (Labor Day).
Wild Rivers Back Country Byway
The Wild Rivers Back Country Byway is a special road that's part of the New Mexico Scenic Byways. It's about 13 miles (21 km) long and runs between an area north of Questa and Cerro. This road, which is NM 378, gives you amazing views of many mountain peaks, including Blanca Peak. It also helps you get to all the cool spots in the park, like the visitor center, campgrounds, and trailheads.
Who Manages the Area?
The Taos Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management takes care of the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. They make sure the park stays beautiful and safe for everyone to enjoy.
