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.

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.

Running the Animas River from just south of the Colorado border to Farmington is a relaxing run with nothing higher than a Class II. Canoes, kayaks and rafts should all have no problem (but rafters should make sure the water levels are high). This run goes all the way to Farmington, where the Animas meets up with the San Juan River, taking you by beautiful sandstone cliffs and farmland the entire way. The route also goes by the Aztec Ruins National Monument, home to the largest reconstructed Great Kiva. There are a number of put in points, in addition to the one listed here, that will allow you to adjust the length of your trip.

Make your way through the 1,000 foot deep White Rock Canyon on this intermediate Class III Rio Grande River run from Old Buckman Road in Espanola down to Cochiti Lake. Depending on the water levels, this run can either be mainly Class II or can develop some huge standing waves. The biggest rapid you will encounter is the Frijoles Rapid, which requires scouting, and lies just below Frijoles Canyon, part of Bandelier National Monument. Your take-out point will be at the Tetilla Peak Recreation Area boat ramp on Cochiti Lake. This whole run is fairly isolated, so be prepared in case of emergency.

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La Junta, as the locals call it, is the section of the Rio Grande River sandwiched in between the Upper and Lower Taos Box. Unlike the two Box runs, La Junta is much tamer and open to intermediate paddlers. Bring your camera, as you will actually have some time during this run to stop and enjoy the views. This run is suitable for kayakers, canoes (with flotation) and rafters alike. There are also multiple put-in and take-out points along this stretch, so you shouldn't have to be too concerned in case something goes wrong. The put-in point is about a 1-mile hike, so be prepared to carry your boat a distance, and give yourself ample time. You will need to register at the put-in point, there is a self-serve kiosk, but there is no fee required, nor any need to make an advanced registration.

The Bosque Run can either be done by itself or in addition to the runs above it (Lower Taos Box, Racecourse, etc). This section of the Rio Grande River is a mellow Class II, with beautiful views and plenty of scenery to keep you occupied. The gentle river flows through a "quite zone" where many species of birds and other wildlife all the river banks home. Not all of the land along this stretch is BLM owned, so watch for signs if you wish to disembark. You are required to register at one of the self-serve kiosks at the put-in point, but there is no fee required. This is a very popular section, so do not expect to be paddling in solitude!