Wild Rivers Back Country Byway | New Mexico

The Wild Rivers Back Country Byway is a 13-mile closed-loop road providing access to BLM's Wild Rivers Recreation Area within the Rio Grande del Norte 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.

Byway Details

Begin your descent into this outdoorsman’s paradise on Highway 522, where the byway begins. Continue west past the town of Cerro, an old farming community founded in 1854. While you’ll find some interesting historic tidbits in town, the real treasure lies further ahead in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. While you could easily drive the entire byway in an hour, it is worth taking a day or two to fully explore the Wild Rivers Recreation Area around byway and unearth the mystic beauty surrounding this section of the Rio Grande Gorge. A visitor center is located near the byway’s southern tip, so stop there to learn about the area and the various activities it has to offer. 

Spend a day hiking or biking the northern slopes of the Guadalupe Mountains on 12 miles of groomed trails, including an ascent on the Guadalupe Mountain trail that will reward you with a riveting view of the Rio Grande thrashing several thousand feet below. The roads open to the public year-round, although winter snowfall can prevent access. During the summer, temperatures range from 65 to 90 degrees, while spring and autumn are 20-30 degrees cooler. 

If you’d like to indulge your inner angler, follow the El Aguaje Trail from the El Aguaje campsite to the banks of the Red River. In these Christmas Chile waters, you may be lucky enough to find Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, along with excellent rainbow and wild brown trout fishing, as well as a great opportunity to enjoy volcanic basalt scenery off the beaten path. 

Make your visit an overnight and stay in one of various campsites which are scattered all along the byway past Cerro, NM. Near the byway, you’ll find developed camping areas in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. For a more rugged experience you can set up camp in one of the 15 developed backpacker sites in the river canyons or go for a more primitive experience at the top of the Guadalupe Trail.

An impressive glimpse into New Mexico’s untamed, the Wild Rivers Back Country Byway unfolds into a world of recreation possibilities for adventure seekers of all levels. From the fast-paced action of white-water rafting in the lower gorge (the area of the Rio Grande that passes through this area is Class V+ white water and is not rafted commercially) to the feel of a cool mountain breeze from the safety of your own picnic table, you’ll find a distinct byway experience that will keep you coming back for more.

Attractions & Features

• Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
• Wild Rivers Recreation Area
• Red River Wild and Scenic River
• Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
• La Junta Point – junction of the Red River and Rio Grande
• Wild Rivers Zimmerman Visitor Center
  • Currently open 7daysweek from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional open days TBD depending on staffing. Inclement winter weather may impact these hours.
• Sangre de Cristo Mountains
• Native Habitat for Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
• Commercial White Water in lower sections of the gorge
• John Dunn Recreation Area and Hot springs
• Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
• Great Sand Dunes National Park (less than 2 hrs away)
• Carson National Forest and Hiking Mount Wheeler (highest mountain in New Mexico)
• Taos, Red River, Questa, and Taos Ski Valley
• Mountain bike trails in surrounding areas