Take this beautiful, scenic, and popular run through the Rio Grande Bosque from the Angostura/Algodones Diversion Dam down to North Corrales. This is an easy run, ranging from Class I - II with only a few hazards present including some tree strainers & jetty jacks, but they are usually easily avoidable, and sometimes not present when water is high enough. The run is suitable for kayaks and canoes and rafts may be alright too, just be sure to scout first.

If you are up for an amazing fishing trip, and want to do it by canoe or kayak, head down to Navajo Lake State Park, below the dam. Considered one of the best fisheries, this section of the state park and San Juan River are only open to those who are fishing. Even if all you want to do is paddle around, bring your fishing rod & license and you'll be allowed to put your boat in. This trip starts with your boat in at Texas hole and floats down towards the Cottonwood Recreation area. There are a number of nooks and crannies to explore and it can get up to a Class II, so be prepared. Most of it is easy paddling however, and there are a number of campsites along the river. There is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle and an $8 fee per night of camping.

Start your kayaking adventure at Percha Dam State Park, heading down to Leasburg Dam State Park (and you can always continue further from there, see Leasburg Dam to Shalem Colony Trail). At your put in point, just below Percha Dam, it is considered to be one of the 5 best birding spots in all of New Mexico. So take some time and enjoy! Just below the Road 154 bridge, between Rincon and Hatch, there is a fast water drop, caused by deposited material. Depending on water levels, this may need to be portaged (on the west side of the river, due to slopes). Scout this before heading down so you know what you are in for. At any of the bridge crossings, there may be strainers due to debris build up, check these out as well before you begin. Otherwise, this is a mellow and relaxing river run. $5 entrance fee per vehicle (at each park).

This is a beautiful stretch of the Chama River, offering plenty of wildlife viewing, and awesome vertical gorge walls & forest surrounding you for a good portion. Depending on the water levels, this run ranges from Class II - Class III+. Keep an eye out for strainers and the occasional fence you may encounter (mainly by the gravel pits at the beginning). The river will change from a braided river with frequent islands to a gorge, with the strainers falling behind but with increased route choices and river class. The ultimate part of this trip is the Big Mama Chama which can reach a class III+ and is strewn with boulders. This route runs all the way down to El Vado State Park, where you will take out at the northern boat ramp after a long bit of flatware paddling. If you want to skip the flatware, there is an alternate takeout at about 10-miles on the Domniguez-Escalante Trail from the Rio Chama suspension footbridge. You will have to hike out with your craft. There is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle at El Vado State Park.

The Upper Taos Box is one of the quintessential classic whitewater runs found in New Mexico. The Upper Box of the Taos River is just the first 6-miles, that run down deep in the gorge. There is no access between the put-in and the takeout points, so bring any spare paddles/rescue gear/whatever you need to get out in case of emergency. The biggest technical difficulty in the box are the sieves, of which there are many, and the rapids are typically long boulder gardens. Another issue is the takeout point, of which there are two options. The most popular, and what is shown here, is taking out at Big Arsenic Trail, but you have to hike out almost 1-mile, gaining 750 feet. The other option is to continue another 9 miles on flatware, and lots of paddling. There are no easy rapids on this run, this is for experts only. All private boaters are required to register with a ranger or at self-serve stations at each access point - no reservations or fee required

The Lower Taos Box is a great Class IV (tops) run. The run is through a beautiful, tight gorge, with limited access in between the put in and takeout points, so bring any necessary spare paddles or rescue gear should an emergency arise. This run is very popular, especially with commercial rafting trips, so you will not find solitude here. Be sure to check on water flow before you go, as anything below 600 cfs is not recommended. All private boaters are required to register with a ranger or at self-serve stations at each access point - no reservations or fee required.

Take a few days to paddle down the Rio Chama, a designated Wild & Scenic River. The scenery is absolutely beautiful on this trip, with towering canyon walls, designated wilderness surroundings, historical sites and heavily wooded side canyons. Paddling is very popular on this route, but due to it's Wild & Scenic designation, it is fairly limited. The run is easy with Class II+ rapids a possibility, and is suitable for canoes, kayaks and rafts as long as the water level is right. This can be connected to the Monastery - Big Eddy run to add a few extra miles if you want. The BLM runs a lottery system to obtain permits during the summer months. Be sure to get your application in before January 31 to be considered. Even if it is not during the advanced registration season, you must self-register at the put-in site and pay $5/person.

Take your kayak out for a little paddling adventure down the Rio Grande from Leasburg Dam State Park to the Shalem Colony Trail Road Bridge, near Las Cruces. The run is typically very easy and very dependent on when irrigation water is released. Kayaks are the recommended vessel, as they can handle the lower water levels, but canoes can also make the trip. It is definitely not recommended for rafts. The only area of concern is at the first bridge you will come across, Highway 185, where debris can sometimes pile up - check this out for strainers and other blocks before you head down so you know what to expect. There is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle at Leasburg Dam, and it closes at 7, so plan accordingly so that your vehicle doesn't get locked in.

The run down along the Orilla Verde Recreation Area is a scenic, moderate Class II run, great for less experienced paddlers. This is a very popular area, so don't expect too much solitude. The area towards the end, around Pilar, is popular with fishermen, so it is recommended to paddling along the opposite side of the river when fishermen are present. This section runs mainly through BLM owned land, but the area around Pilar is a "quiet zone" and privately owned, so no disembarking unless there is an emergency. All private boaters are required to register with a ranger or at self-serve stations at each access point - no reservations or fee required. There is also a $3 day-use fee required at the Orilla Verde Campground (this can also be paid for at the self-serve access point.

The Rio Embudo offers roughly 5 miles of steep, expert only, whitewater kayaking. There is very little room for error, and very little chance of hiking out anywhere along the route besides the put in and take out points. The run itself is incredibly beautiful, with steep canyon walls and forest - if you are able to take a minute to look without getting swallowed into the river. Huge boulders are what create the Class V+ rapids - the word Embudo means "funnel" in Spanish - take heed of that, as the water really does tend to funnel between large rocks, making for difficult maneuvers. The best time to run the river is usually May and June, but check the USGS gauges before attempting.