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Established Camping

BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area near Taos, NM, features rugged terrain with canyons and mesas. Temperatures range from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Rio Grande Gorge and the historic Taos Pueblo.

Fee Info

Self-service pay stations are located at developed camping, picnic and trailhead areas. Day Use: $3.00/day per vehicle to use the area for 30 minutes or more. An annual day use pass, good for the calendar 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 or from a Park Ranger or Camp Host. 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.

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Location

BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Taos, follow NM 68 north 7 miles. Take NM 522 approximately 20 miles to Questa. Travel 3 miles past the stoplight in Questa to NM 378. Turn left onto NM 378 and follow the signs about 12 miles west to Wild Rivers Recreation Area

Coordinates

36.66533502 N
105.67971197 W

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Connectivity

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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Detours Nearby

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Drive Time

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Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info


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Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2025

Great place for hiking and night skies

Paved roads lead you to even better pavement @ Wild Rivers. About 8 small loops, many with trails dropping 900' to the Rio Grande in the gorge below. You can hear the river below from many spots and the Pit toilets are kept clean. Visitors Center can recommend trails and other interesting things to do and see in the immediate area. Great bicycling for kids on nicely paved roads. One loop is above the Red River and you can hike down to the confluence of the 2 wild rivers. Quiet area with dark skies.

SiteLittle Arsenic Springs loop
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by Edwin Y., June 9, 2025
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by Edwin Y., June 9, 2025
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by Edwin Y., June 9, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2022

For the price - perfect! At home with nature

Super cheap BLM campground - $7 a night! - with beautiful views and hiking. Dump toilets and no showers which is totally fine for a couple of nights, our site had a lovely cover and we had some friendly sheep come to say hi in the morning. Loved it here, the welcome centre was really helpful and friendly

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by evelyn , July 20, 2022
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by evelyn , July 20, 2022
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by evelyn , July 20, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2020

Very scenic and remote

What a wonderful surprise for us to find this place! There are 4 RV campgrounds. Be sure to hike to Big Arsenic Spring! It is a steep trail, but the trail is very well maintained and has lots of places to stop to rest. The spring is like an Oasis and it dumps into the Rio Grande River. About 250 yards past the spring are some petroglyphs. What a great hike!

  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by Teresa J., September 10, 2020
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by Teresa J., September 10, 2020
  • Review photo of BLM Wild Rivers Recreation Area by Teresa J., September 10, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

Hike down a canyon to 2 rivers

The hike down the canyon is easy of course and once you come to the river it's a lovely flat hike along the river to where the red and rio grand meet. The spot, when the water is. It high, is almost magical, like a vortex of rock and wind and water and fire. The hike out needs to come with lots of hydration in the summer as the sun can burn to the bone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at Wild Rivers Recreation Area?

Wild Rivers Recreation Area offers several camping options to accommodate different preferences. There are four RV campgrounds with paved roads and sites, though hookups are not available. For tent campers, multiple small loops provide scenic camping spots with beautiful views. The campground is budget-friendly at just $7 per night. Facilities include vault toilets (no showers), and many sites feature covers for shade. Some campsites are positioned where you can hear the Rio Grande flowing through the gorge below.

What activities can visitors enjoy at the Wild Rivers Recreation Area?

Wild Rivers Recreation Area offers exceptional hiking opportunities, with trails that descend 900 feet to the Rio Grande River. The Big Arsenic Spring trail is particularly notable - it's steep but well-maintained with rest areas along the way, leading to a beautiful oasis where the spring meets the river. Visitors can hike along the river to where the Red River and Rio Grande meet. The area also provides stunning views, wildlife viewing (including occasional sheep sightings), and photography opportunities. The natural landscape offers a peaceful setting for relaxation and connecting with nature.

Is Wild Rivers Recreation Area managed by the BLM?

Yes, Wild Rivers Recreation Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It operates as a BLM campground, which explains the affordable $7 nightly camping fee. The BLM maintains the facilities, including the vault toilets, trails, and camping areas. The management focus appears to be on preserving the natural environment while providing basic amenities for visitors to enjoy this scenic area.

Where can I find information at the Wild Rivers Visitor Center?

The Wild Rivers Visitor Center serves as an excellent information hub for your visit. Staff can recommend trails and highlight interesting attractions in the area. They provide details about the various hiking options, including the popular trails that descend to the Rio Grande and the Big Arsenic Spring. The center offers information about campground facilities, local wildlife, and safety considerations (especially important given the heat and limited shade in some areas). For the most up-to-date information about the recreation area, the visitor center should be your first stop upon arrival.

How do I get to Wild Rivers Recreation Area in New Mexico?

Wild Rivers Recreation Area is accessible via paved roads that lead directly to the campground areas. The recreation area is located in northern New Mexico near the Rio Grande Gorge. To reach the destination, follow the paved routes to the visitor center, which serves as a good starting point for orientation. From there, additional paved roads connect to the various camping loops. For specific directions from your location, contacting the visitor center or checking with the BLM office beforehand is recommended.