It doesn’t take much for us to find a reason to take pleasure in New Mexico’s stunning scenery. The state’s beauty is simply divine and, to be honest, escaping into that beauty is surprisingly easy. However, one spot that is fairly out of the way, accessible year-round, and jaw-droppingly gorgeous is the Wild Rivers Recreation Area at Rio Grande Gorge.

Located in northern New Mexico, the Rio Grande Gorge is one of the state's largest canyons and the perfect escape into nature.
Trick on/Wikimedia Commons
The canyon extends approximately 50 miles from the Colorado border down towards Taos, carved over the centuries by the Rio Grande.
Most people tend to see the canyon when crossing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, but you can experience it up close with a stop at the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.
BLM New Mexico/Flickr
A 20-minute drive from Questa, this recreation area introduces you to the gorge with a scenic byway, hiking trails, camping, fishing, and boating opportunities.
One of our favorite hikes here is the Big Arsenic Trail, a fairly short hiking trail that leads you down into the depths of the Rio Grande Gorge.
BLM New Mexico/Flickr
Overall, this is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail that will take around two hours to hike down and back. However, we recommend extending your visit here by at least another hour so you can enjoy the scenery.

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The trail here is well-marked and exceptionally pretty year-round with colorful views of the gorge and the river always within sight.
Will Patterson/AllTrails
The trail winds 1.2 miles down to the canyon floor and right up to the river. Keep in mind that a good portion of the trail is steep on the way down and back up, so be prepared to get a leg workout.
Another highlight of the trek on this trail: petroglyphs found near the end of the trail.
BLM New Mexico/Flickr
Once you've reached the end of the trail, trek a little ways up a nearby switchback and you'll be treated to an ancient sight on the rocks.
Big Arsenic Trail is part of the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, overseen by the Bureau of Land Management.
Google Maps

It is located approximately 14 miles from Questa via State Route 378. The recreation area is open year-round and day-use fees cost $3 per vehicle. For additional details about the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, trails, and other activities, visit the department’s website or Facebook page.

Location: Google Maps
Phone: 505-954-2000
Website: blm.gov
Facebook: Bureau of Land Management New Mexico
Trail details: AllTrails

Another area where you can enjoy New Mexico’s ever enchanting views is in the Santa Fe National Forest, where you will find McCauley Hot Springs. Read about the trail to the spring and the views along the way in The Gorgeous 3.4-Mile Hike In New Mexico’s Santa Fe National Forest That Will Lead You Past A River And Hot Spring.

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Featured Addresses
Wild Rivers Visitors Center, 1120 NM-378, Questa, NM 87556, USA