Discover Red River: Mountains, Trails, and History

Red River brings together mountain lift experiences, hiking trails, river landscapes, mining history, and special events. This allows you to shape your stay around very different interests: with active days of mountain biking, guided horseback rides, hiking, or fly-fishing, as well as historical discoveries and events in town.

Mountains and Trails Around Red River

The Scenic Summer Chairlift carries passengers 1,600 vertical feet to the summit of Red River Ski Area. From there, visitors can enjoy views of Carson National Forest, Red River, and the surrounding mountains of New Mexico. Red River Ski & Summer Area also offers more than 67 runs for all skill levels and seven lifts.

Red River has mapped hiking trails for all skill levels that begin right outside your door. In addition, the Community House staff leads weekly hikes in and around Red River; all hikes begin at the Community House. This makes it possible for a travel group with different preferences to plan its own daily rhythms without giving all activities equal weight.

In the Red River area, the lower four miles of the Red River within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument are designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The confluence of the Red River and the Río Grande can be reached via the Little Arsenic Trail or Big Arsenic Trail. Anyone who wants to include waterscapes in their stay will also find year-round fly-fishing opportunities on the Red River and at the surrounding lakes and streams.

Active Vacation Days and Special Experiences

Several forest roads for Jeeps, OHVs, and motorcycles are accessible in every direction from Main Street in Red River. Experienced mountain bikers can use the chairlift at Red River Ski Area and ride 4,000 vertical feet downhill on maintained trails. Guided horseback rides range from short rides for beginners that start right in town to full-day rides through high-elevation mountain terrain.

The town’s history can also be explored in a tangible way. The Copper King Mine in Red River was first worked in 1867 and was the first known mine developed in Taos County. The Little Red Schoolhouse Museum houses school desks, old photographs, and numerous artifacts from Red River’s past. Another fixture on the events calendar is the annual Oktoberfest: the three-day celebration includes craft beer, wine, spirits, artisans, food vendors, live entertainment, and competitions.

Orientation and Choosing Accommodation

For local orientation, the Red River Visitor & Conference Center is located at 101 W River St. Red River Miners Transit provides free, wheelchair-accessible transportation within the town seven days a week year-round. In addition, Route 310 Red River provides free scheduled service between Questa and Red River.

If you are looking for a vacation rental in Red River, it is best to first decide what kind of trip you want: Should the accommodation serve as a base for hiking and mountain activities, should culture and local history be the focus, or would you like to combine various offerings? Travel planning can also play a role if you want to take the connection between Questa and Red River into account. The many different activities make Red River a destination where you can shape your days in varied ways and according to your own priorities.

More Destinations for Your Planning

For further research, you can also view the listings for Arroyo Hondo, Ranchos De Taos, Taos, Valdez, Costilla, El Prado, Questa, and Taos Ski Valley.

For the overarching travel overview: Taos.