**2025 update** : The La Junta Trail is closed until further notice due to
unsafe trail conditions. Access to the confluence of the Red River and Río
Grande can be reached by hiking down Little or Big Arsenic Trails.

The Red River, located within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, is
designated Wild and Scenic for its lower 4 lower miles before it joins with
the Río Grande. Flowing out of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico,
the Red River was the head of a smaller Rio Grande of ancient times.
Scientists believe that some 400,000 years ago, a closed drainage basin with
no outflow existed in the San Luis Valley to the north in Colorado. With
changes causing the region to become wetter, the lake within this basin
overflowed to the south and drained into the Red River. The volume of water
continued to increase as it cut through the earth, forming the modern Río
Grande Gorge we know today. As a result, the Red River became a tributary and
the headwaters of the Río Grande repositioned to central Colorado.

The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is on the mesa above the Red River.
Exceptional views of the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River is found
at the La Junta overlook in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

2025 update: The La Junta Trail is closed until further notice due to unsafe trail conditions. Access to the confluence of the Red River and Río Grande can be reached by hiking down Little or Big Arsenic Trails. 

The Red River, located within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, is designated Wild and Scenic for its lower 4 lower miles before it joins with the Río Grande. Flowing out of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, the Red River was the head of a smaller Rio Grande of ancient times. Scientists believe that some 400,000 years ago, a closed drainage basin with no outflow existed in the San Luis Valley to the north in Colorado. With changes causing the region to become wetter, the lake within this basin overflowed to the south and drained into the Red River. The volume of water continued to increase as it cut through the earth, forming the modern Río Grande Gorge we know today. As a result, the Red River became a tributary and the headwaters of the Río Grande repositioned to central Colorado. 

The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is on the mesa above the Red River. Exceptional views of the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River is found at the La Junta overlook in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

Bird's eye view of the park

Red River Wild and Scenic River

The RÍo Grande del Norte National Monument is comprised of rugged, wide-open
plains at an average elevation of 7,000 feet, dotted by volcanic cones, and
cut by steep canyons with rivers tucked away in their depths. The RÍo Grande
carves an 800-foot-deep gorge through layers of volcanic basalt flows and ash.
Among the volcanic cones in the Monument, Ute Mountain is the highest,
reaching to 10,093 feet.

This area has attracted human activity since prehistoric times. Evidence of
ancient use is found throughout the area in the form of petroglyphs,
prehistoric dwelling sites, and many other types of archaeological sites. More
recent activity includes abandoned homesteading from the 1930s.

The Monument is an important area for wintering animals and provides a
corridor by which wildlife moves between the two mountain ranges. The unique
setting of the Monument also provides a wealth of recreational opportunities.
Whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping are
some of the more outstanding activities that can be enjoyed in the Monument.

**NEW MEXICO STATE TRUST LAND**

Any public use of New Mexico State Trust Lands is strictly under the
jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Land Office and requires a recreational
access permit. For more information visit the New Mexico State Land Office.

The RÍo Grande del Norte National Monument is comprised of rugged, wide-open plains at an average elevation of 7,000 feet, dotted by volcanic cones, and cut by steep canyons with rivers tucked away in their depths. The RÍo Grande carves an 800-foot-deep gorge through layers of volcanic basalt flows and ash. Among the volcanic cones in the Monument, Ute Mountain is the highest, reaching to 10,093 feet. 

This area has attracted human activity since prehistoric times. Evidence of ancient use is found throughout the area in the form of petroglyphs, prehistoric dwelling sites, and many other types of archaeological sites. More recent activity includes abandoned homesteading from the 1930s. 

The Monument is an important area for wintering animals and provides a corridor by which wildlife moves between the two mountain ranges. The unique setting of the Monument also provides a wealth of recreational opportunities. Whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping are some of the more outstanding activities that can be enjoyed in the Monument.  

NEW MEXICO STATE TRUST LAND 

Any public use of New Mexico State Trust Lands is strictly under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Land Office and requires a recreational access permit.  For more information visit the <a href="https://www.nmstatelands.org/" rel="nofollow">New Mexico State Land Office</a>.

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

The Rinconada Loop Trail is a wide, 5-mile long, all weather surface, beginner
level trail within Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

The Rinconada Loop Trail is a wide, 5-mile long, all weather surface, beginner level trail within Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

Rinconada Loop Trail

The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, located within the Rio Grande del Norte
National Monument, includes 74 miles of the river as it passes through the
800-foot deep Rio Grande Gorge. Flowing out of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains
in Colorado, the river journeys 1,900 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Here the
river flows in a rugged and scenic part of northern New Mexico. The river was
made a part of the National Wild and Scenic River System in 1968; among the
first eight rivers Congress designated as Wild and Scenic. The river gorge is
home to numerous species of wildlife, including big horn sheep, river otter,
and the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities, luring anglers, hikers,
artists, and whitewater boating enthusiasts. Two developed recreation areas
are located along the river: Wild Rivers on the north and Orilla Verde in the
south. In addition to these scenic recreation areas, a spectacular vista of
the gorge is seen from the High Bridge Overlook where highway 64 crosses.

The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, located within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, includes 74 miles of the river as it passes through the 800-foot deep Rio Grande Gorge.  Flowing out of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the river journeys 1,900 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.  Here the river flows in a rugged and scenic part of northern New Mexico.  The river was made a part of the National Wild and Scenic River System in 1968; among the first eight rivers Congress designated as Wild and Scenic.  The river gorge is home to numerous species of wildlife, including big horn sheep, river otter, and the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities, luring anglers, hikers, artists, and whitewater boating enthusiasts.  Two developed recreation areas are located along the river: Wild Rivers on the north and Orilla Verde in the south.  In addition to these scenic recreation areas, a spectacular vista of the gorge is seen from the High Bridge Overlook where highway 64 crosses.

Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River

The Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway is a 13 mile closed-loop road providing
access to BLM's Wild Rivers Recreation Area within the Rio Grande National
Monument. The double-lane, low-speed, paved road provides the visitor with
access to scenic views and recreational facilities in the Recreation Area. For
information regarding what you will see, or the public lands you will have
access to along the byway, see BLM's Wild Rivers Recreation Area website.

The Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway is a 13 mile closed-loop road providing access to BLM's Wild Rivers Recreation Area within the Rio Grande National Monument.  The double-lane, low-speed, paved road provides the visitor with access to scenic views and recreational facilities in the Recreation Area. 
 
For information regarding what you will see, or the public lands you will have access to along the byway, see BLM's Wild Rivers Recreation Area website.

Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway

Horsethief Mesa Trail is about a 12-mile loop that is rated an intermediate
level of difficulty with some technical, rocky sections.

Horsethief Mesa Trail is about a 12-mile loop that is rated an intermediate level of difficulty with some technical, rocky sections.

Red River Wild and Scenic River

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Nearby Parks

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

Rinconada Loop Trail

Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River

Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway

Horsethief Mesa Trail