Rio Grande — Taos Box
★ Wild & Scenic🏞 National Park
Taos Co. · 17 mi · Class III–IV
234CFS/ 3.51 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 800–3000 CFS · USGS #08276500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Wild & Scenic River · Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
The Taos Box is 17 miles of Class III–IV whitewater through an 800-foot basalt gorge carved into the Taos Plateau — the deepest canyon of the Rio Grande. The river drops through continuous boulder-garden rapids framed by dark volcanic walls, with hot springs seeping from fractures in the basalt. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument protects the entire corridor.
Trip sections
John Dunn Bridge to Manby Hot Springs — 5 mi, Class III, gorge entry with hot springs
Manby Hot Springs to Big Arsenic — 6 mi, Class III–IV, deepest gorge section
Big Arsenic to Taos Junction Bridge — 6 mi, Class III, widening canyon exit
Outfitters
Far Flung Adventures
Taos Box guided whitewater trips
New Mexico River Adventures
Rio Grande Taos Box expeditions
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.