Can you reserve a site at Wild Rivers Recreation Area?

No. Wild Rivers Recreation Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Wild Rivers Recreation Area, New Mexico — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is located within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument and along the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River and Red River Wild and Scenic River. Here visitors may experience the beauty of an 800-foot deep canyon sliced into volcanic flows by the Rio Grande (Spanish for Large River) and Red River where they come together.

Located in the high plains of northern New Mexico, this area is rich with history, rugged beauty, and enticing recreational opportunities. A back country byway, visitor center, campgrounds, picnic facilities, and trails are available for visitors. Several spectacular overlooks are found here, including La Junta Point, one of the most dramatic views in the state, overlooking the confluence of the Red River and the Rio Grande -- and it is wheelchair accessible.

The canyon ecosystem descends 800 feet from rim to river, creating a unique diversity in plant and animal life. Ancient pinon and juniper forests include 500 year-old trees. Watchable wildlife opportunities include mule deer, big horn sheep, elk, red-tailed hawk, and mountain blue-bird. The climate is semi-arid with summer thunderstorms common in July and August, and snow possible from November through March. Summer temperatures range from 45 to 90F and in winter from -15 to 45F.

Getting there

The Visitor Center is located in Cerro, NM, at 1120 Cerritos Road (NM-378). Go north from Questa on NM 522 and turn left on State Road 378; the Visitor Center is about 17 miles from the turn off.

36.68081, -105.66667 · 36°40'50.9"N 105°39'60.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 37°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	37	42	53	62	70	80	83	81	75	65	51	38
Low °F	8	14	21	27	35	44	49	48	41	30	19	9
Precip in	0.7	0.7	0.9	1.0	1.1	0.7	1.7	2.3	1.7	1.0	0.8	0.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Self-service pay stations are located at campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailheads. Day Use: $3.00/day per vehicle to use the area for 30 minutes or more. An annual day use pass, good for one year, is available for $20.00. Camping: $7.00/night for one vehicle, $10.00 for two. Maximum 2 vehicles and 10 people per site. (Additional vehicles may park in day use parking areas at $3.00/day.) Change is available at the Visitor Center. Annual day use passes do not apply to camping fees. River Campsites: $5.00/night. Group Shelters: $30.00 per day, $40.00 per night. Group shelters are by reservation. Call the BLM Taos Field Office at 575-758-8851.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Wild Rivers Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Wild Rivers Recreation Area?: No. Wild Rivers Recreation Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Wild Rivers Recreation Area

Columbine Campground (NM) 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Elephant Rock Campground 12.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
El Aguaje Campground Shelter 0.9 mi · Campground
La Junta Campground 1.9 mi · Campground
Cebolla Mesa 3 mi · Campground
Rio Grande Fishing 3.1 mi · Facility
Goat Hill Campground 7 mi · Campground
Cabresto Lake Campground 10.4 mi · Campground
Cuchillo Del Medio Campground 11.2 mi · Campground
Cuchilla Campground 11.2 mi · Campground
Lower Hondo Campground 11.3 mi · Campground
Fawn Lakes Campground 11.7 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 575-271-5243
Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-31.

Wild Rivers Recreation Area