A short drive to a great location, the 13-mile Wild Rivers Back Country Byway serves as a gateway to the untamed Rio Grande. Winding its way through an 800-foot gorge, the byway offers gripping views of North America’s most challenging white-water rapids at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Begin your descent into this outdoorsman’s paradise on Highway 522, where the byway begins. Continue west past the town of Cerro, an old farming community founded in 1854. While you'll find some interesting historic tidbits while in town, the real treasure lies further ahead in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. While you could easily drive the entire byway in a couple of hours, take a day or two to fully explore the byway and unearth the mystic beauty surrounding this section of the Rio Grande. A visitor center is located near the byway’s southern tip, so stop there to learn about the area and the various activities it has to offer.
Spend a day hiking or biking the northern slopes of the Guadalupe Mountains on 12 miles of groomed trails, including an ascent on the Guadalupe Mountain trail that will reward you with a riveting view of the Rio Grande thrashing several thousand feet below. The roads are open to the public year-round, although winter snowfall can prevent access. During the summer, temperatures range from 65 to 90 degrees, while spring and autumn are 20-30 degrees cooler.
If you’d like to indulge your inner angler, follow the El Aguaje Trail from the El Aguaje campsite to the banks of the Red River. Here, you’ll find excellent rainbow and German brown trout fishing, as well as a great opportunity to enjoy some forest scenery off the beaten path.
Make your visit an overnighter and stay in one of the byway’s various campsites, which are scattered all along the byway once you pass Cerro. Near the byway, you’ll find 21 campsites in five organized campgrounds in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. For a more rugged experience, you can set up camp in one of the 15 developed backpacker sites in the river canyons or go for a more primitive experience at the top of the Guadalupe Trail.
An impressive glimpse into New Mexico’s untamed wilderness, the Wild Rivers Back Country Byway unfolds into a world of recreational possibilities for adventure seekers of all levels. From the fast-paced action of whitewater rafting to the feel of a cool mountain breeze from the safety of your own picnic table, you’ll find a distinct byway experience that will keep you coming back for more.
