Your national monument, Rio Grande del Norte, is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management for the purpose of protecting the land for public use. In this spirit, the BLM’s Taos Field Office leads free hikes throughout each summer month and presents free lectures by experts to educate on various aspects of the land and river. Here are July 2019’s offerings.
Sunday, July 7th, 9:00am
2 hours
Slide Trail/Old 570 Guided Hike
Meet at the new Cascabel trailhead at the end of C-110 for this moderate 3 mile round trip hike. Wonderful views of the Rio Pueblo Canyon, petroglyphs, wildlife sighting opportunities and geology in action! Led by park ranger Jenn Sawyer.
Saturday, July 13th, 9:00am
2 hours
Las Minas Trail Guided Hike
Meet at the trailhead at the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center in Pilar, offering wonderful views of the Pilar area, interesting geology, wildflowers and more! Led by park ranger Bryan Marquardt.
Saturday, July 13th, 7:00pm
1 hour
Second Saturday Lecture Series at Wild Rivers Visitor Center Lobby
El Norte – Landrace Communities, Culture, Crops and Livestock by Bob Jaramillo
Growing up in northern New Mexico, Bob knew he had a good thing going! What a place to learn, roam and explore. His family ranched and farmed, raising all types of animals and growing vegetables. Bob was a teacher in the local schools with an emphasis on New Mexico history. Observing culture through the aspect of its livestock and farming will be very interesting indeed.
Tuesday-Sunday, July 16th-21st, all day
Wild Rivers Plein Air Festival
Artists from all over the southwest and the world, gather to paint the dramatic landscapes of the Rio Grande del Norte Natl Monument, plus the charming sites around the village of Questa. Learn more.
Saturday, July 20th, 7:00pm
1 hour
Third Saturday Lecture Series
Recent Archaeological Research in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument by Dr Emily Donald Brown
Emily and her research team have been contracted by the BLM to do archaeological surveys in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument for the past several years. Having spent her childhood in northern NM, she has a special connection to the Wild Rivers area. We look forward to seeing what exciting discoveries have surfaced from the past.
Sunday, July 21st, 9:00am
2 hours
La Vista Verde Guided Hike
Meet at the trailhead on NM567, just above Taos Junction Bridge for this easy 2.5 mile round hike. Sensational views and petroglyphs on our most popular trail! 2 hours, led by park ranger Randy Roch.
Saturday, July 27st, 9:00am
2 hours
Petaca Point Trail Guided Hike
Meet at the trailhead on NM 567, above Taos Junction Bridge, for this easy 2.5 mile round trip hike along the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. Panoramic views and wonderful archeology! Led by park ranger Tom Adams.
For guided hikes, bring a snack, hat, sunscreen, 2 liters of water and sturdy hiking shoes
For More Information:
Wild Rivers Visitor Center, 575-586-1150
Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center. 575-751-4899
Taos Field Office, 575-758-8851
Download a Visitors Guide to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, published in 2015 by MARKETAOS, in collaboration with Taos BLM. It includes a helpful map of the entire monument area, over 300,000 acres. Or purchase a copy for $2 at Taos Visitor Center or Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center in Pilar.
