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River Trips
New Mexico Rafting Half-Day
Trips
Racecourse|
VIDEO & More about Rafting the Racecourse. |
The Racecourse is a great trip for beginning whitewater enthusiasts, as well as experienced rafters looking for a quick adrenaline fix. Minimum age is six, although Kokopelli Rafting Adventures reserves the right to raise the age limit during extremely high water.
The Racecourse is runable all season long. The highest water is in late May or early June. Inflatable kayaks are available at lower water levels.
Price: $53* per person. Age 6-12 $42*
| Morning Trip (10:00 AM) | Afternoon Trip (1:45 PM) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please select a date in Green for ONLINE BOOKING or another date to submit a reservation INQUIRY:
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Please select a date in Green for ONLINE BOOKING or another date to submit a reservation INQUIRY:
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Rio Grande Float
If
you're looking for a relaxing trip through a beautiful volcanic rock canyon
with a few mild class II rapids thrown in, the half-day Rio Grande Float is
for you. It is a perfect trip if you are not sure about the whole whitewater
craze and want a mellow introduction to moving water. We will float past beautiful
hillside springs, perhaps view ancient Indian art, look for wildlife and talk
This trip can be done in a paddleboat or an oar-powered raft, allowing you to
simply sit back, relax, and take in the sights. Minimum age on this trip is
four under most conditions.
Inflatable kayaks are available at most water levels.
Price: $53* per person. Age 4-12 $42*
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New Mexico Rafting Full-Day Trips
Taos BoxThe "Box," perhaps the premier one-day wilderness trip in the US,
contains the best whitewater in New Mexico. This 17-mile trip starts just northwest
of Taos. We float through relatively calm water for a few miles, practicing
our teamwork and paddle strokes for the demanding rapids downstream, including
Ski Jump, Dead Car, and Powerline Falls. As the gorge deepens and the white-water
increases, we'll still take time to look around at the beauty of northern New
Mexico, possibly spotting a bald eagle high on the cliff-tops or a great blue
heron on the river's edge.
The last two-and-a-half miles of the "Box" are known as the "Rio
Bravo," or wild river, section. We challenge one class III or IV rapid
after another, then catch our breaths, before dropping into the grand finale,
Sunset Rapid. This trip is demanding but unsurpassed in its combination of excitement
and wild beauty.
A fresh, all-you-can-eat buffet lunch is included, as well as polar fleece tops
and full splash suits to keep you comfortable. Minimum age on the Taos Box is
12, although at some water levels we advise that guests have the physical stamina
to fully participate.
The Taos Box runs from April through mid-June in a typical year, and
into July during years with exceptional snow-pack.
This trip is for the adventerous
thrill seeker in good physical fitness, and features sections of continuous
rapids, especially during higher flows.
Please select a date in Green for ONLINE BOOKING or another date to submit a reservation INQUIRY:
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| No tours in this period Please check the following: * our rafting season is April to September * your group size is extremely large * our online booking is only available several months in advance * Your departure date is within 48 hours If you cannot resolve the issue, Please contact us at 800-879-9035. | ||||||
| For departures of less than 48 hours in advance or large groups please contact our office at 800-879-9035. | ||||||
Price: $110* per person weekdays. $120* per person weekends.
Lower Gorge
This
popular trip combines our two half-day excursions into one exciting day! We
start at the Taos Junction Bridge, putting in for a relaxing morning spent floating
through spectacular, towering cliffs and mellow, class II rapids. After a satisfying
all-you-can-eat lunch freshly prepared by your Kokopelli guides, we return to
the boats to tackle class III rapids on the Racecourse. The river narrows, picks
up speed, and before we know it, we're blasting through Albert's Falls, the
Narrows, and on to Big Rock Rapid. The Lower Gorge is a perfect choice for first
time rafters, with the morning section offering an opportunity to get comfortable
on moving water. Once you've discovered the joy of river travel, the excitement
increases in the afternoon. Minimum age is six, although we reserve the right
to raise the age limit during extremely high water levels.
The Lower Gorge runs all season long. BOOK
ONLINE
Price: $95* per person Age 6-12 $75*
White Rock Canyon
A
day in White Rock Canyon, just west of Santa Fe, is a combination trip including
many of the features that make northern New Mexico a special place. We will
float through a spectacular canyon, formed millions of years ago during the
age of volcanoes. At lunch, we will discover we are in the land of the Anasazi
Indians as we visit a site along the river that is hundreds of years old. We
will also take time during the lunch break to cool off in the beautiful, clear
Pajarito Springs, a refreshing dip on those hot summer days.
After lunch, we return to the rafts and look forward to class II - III rapids
and more amazing sights. As we approach the takeout, it's time to change our
focus to hiking. We deflate and roll up the rafts in preparation for a moderate
two-and-a-half mile hike up Frijoles Canyon to the headquarters of Bandelier
National Monument. Each guest will be carrying his or her own personal flotation
device, paddle and rain-gear, but no one will notice because of the incredible
surrounding beauty. A refreshing snack including ice-cold beverages waits at
the end of the hike. Minimum age on White Rock Canyon is seven.
The White Rock Canyon has runable flows all season long.
Price: $135* per person.
Minimum Group Size 4 people - Call for Specific Trip Dates
Rio Chama River
Join
us for a full-day trip through the land and scenery that inspired artist Georgia
O'Keefe. This adventure begins about 70 miles northwest of Santa Fe, in the
red rock country of northern New Mexico. We will float about eight miles of
relatively tame water, negotiating a number of class II rapids as we pass through
magnificent scenery surrounded by Ponderosa Pines. The multi-colored cliffs
along the Chama are among the most beautiful in New Mexico.
We will stop halfway through the day for a healthy, all-you-can-eat buffet lunch,
freshly prepared by Kokopelli guides. After lunch, we continue downstream, running
more class II rapids on our way to the takeout.
This trip can be done in a paddleboat or an oar-powered raft, which allows more
time to take in the sights. Minimum age is five.
The Chama day trip is typically runnable on weekends when water is being
released from the El Vado Dam.
Price: $110* per person Age 5-12 $90*
La Junta (Middle Box)
Just
upstream of the famous Taos Box is a hidden secret of New Mexico rafting. Seldom
floated is the beautiful remote river between La Junta (the junction of the
Red River and the Rio Grande) and the John Dunn Bridge. After a short hike down
into the gorge along the miners' trail, we'll prepare the rafts and float down
this amazing river. This trip is mostly scenic floating, with one significant
class III rapid near the end. Inflatable kayaks are availailable.
Price $135*
Minimum Group Size 4 people - Call for Specific Trip Dates
New Mexico Multi-Day River Rafting Trips
Rio
Grande Whitewater Overnight
Imagine
combining the Taos Box and the Lower Gorge into a two-day whitewater
fiesta. We launch northwest of Taos, float through a spectacular canyon
and negotiate numerous class III and IV rapids.
After an exciting day of whitewater, we stop at one of our campsites near the
Taos Junction Bridge, the beginning of the Lower Gorge. A delicious dinner is
prepared by Kokopelli guides and after dinner we'll sit around, reliving the
day's adventures.
The next morning, after a healthy breakfast, we launch our rafts for a peaceful
float, working the kinks out of our tired muscles. After lunch, it's more whitewater
action as we head for the Racecourse section and numerous challenging class
III rapids. The trip ends with a nap in the van as we head back to Santa Fe.
We provide all camping equipment, meals, soft drinks, and water. Minimum age
on this trip is 12.
Price: $324* per person.
White
Rock Canyon Overnight
An overnight trip in White Rock Canyon, just west of Santa Fe, is a combination
trip including many of the features that make northern New Mexico a special
place. We will float through a spectacular canyon, formed millions of years
ago during the age of volcanoes.
At our campsites, we will discover we are in the land of the Anasazi Indians
as we visit an ancient agricultural location along the river that is hundreds
of years old. We will also have an opportunity for hiking and will take time
to cool off in the beautiful, clear Pajarito Springs, a refreshing dip on those
hot summer days. While you are relaxing or exploring, your Kokopelli guides
will prepare a delicious dinner.
After a hearty breakfast and perhaps another swim in the spring, we return to
the rafts, looking forward to class II - III rapids and more amazing sights.
Minimum age on White Rock Canyon is seven.
The White Rock Canyon has runable flows all season long.
Price: Two day, $324* per person. Three day, $434* per person.
Minimum Group Size 4 people
Rio Chama Overnight
Join
us for a two or three-day adventure floating the Wild and Scenic Rio Chama through
the magnificently sculpted sandstone land that inspired artist Georgia O'Keefe.
The 31-mile trip begins at El Vado Dam about 90 miles northwest of Santa Fe
in Ponderosa Pine country. The Chama flows through a 1500-foot wilderness canyon
that is remote and difficult to access, ensuring that birds and wildlife are
plentiful. The trip is a mixture of mellow floating and moderate class II and
III rapids. The Chama is a perfect trip for families and those looking for days
filled with beauty and relaxation.
We offer this trip in oar-powered or paddle rafts. We also have the option of
inflatable kayaks, or "duckies," for the more adventurous. As with
all our overnight trips, we provide all camping equipment, tasty, nutritious
meals prepared by your Kokopelli guides, and everything you need for an outdoor
experience you will always remember. This trip has very limited availability;
please call early for dates and reservations.
Price: Two day, $324* per person. Three day, $434* per
person.
Ute Mountain
One hundred and fifty miles north of Santa Fe is a designated Wild and
Scenic section of the Rio Grande. It is rarely floated, and thus has retained
a wild beauty difficult to find in today's hectic world. If you are looking
to escape the pressures of everyday life, join us on a two-day, 25-mile journey
back to another era. The trip begins just north of the New Mexico-Colorado border,
and as we head downstream, we begin our descent into the canyon. As the walls
rise dramatically above us, it is common to be surrounded by thousands of swallows.
Eagles, falcons, and owls are also spotted frequently. We will see an abundance
of wildlife and a wide variety of native plants not found on other sections
of the Rio Grande.
We will float downstream for about 10 miles to the campsite at Costilla Creek,
where guides will assist in setting up tents for a night under the wide New
Mexico sky. The guides will also be acting as chefs for the evening, cooking
up a healthy, tasty dinner.
The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we continue downstream, running numerous
class II rapids as the canyon deepens and narrows. It is about 14 miles of spectacular
scenery from our campsite to the trip's end at Lee Trail. There, we will pack
and hike up a short but steep quarter-mile trail to the top of the rim and the
van waiting to return to Santa Fe.
This adventure has limited availability, so please call us for dates. Minimum
age on Ute Mountain is seven.
Price: $359* per person, which includes meals and all
camping equipment.
Minimum Group Size 6 people
Rio Grande Whitewater Three-Day
This is a unique trip combining La Junta, Taos Box and the Lower Gorge into
a three-day rafting adventure. We launch northwest of Taos after a hike into
the spectacular canyon near the confluence (La Junta) of Red River and the Rio
Grande. After loading the rafts, we're off on this beautiful and remote river.
The evening is spent enjoying a delicious dinner and camping at a beautiful
riverside spot. On day two, we float through the famous Taos Box and negotiate
numerous class III and IV rapids. After an exciting day of whitewater, we stop
at a campsite near the Taos Junction Bridge, the beginning of the Lower Gorge.
A delicious dinner is prepared by Kokopelli guides, and we'll relax, reliving
the day's adventures. Enjoy a hearty breakfast the next morning before we launch
our rafts on a peaceful float, working the kinks out of our tired muscles. After
lunch, there's more whitewater action as we head for the Racecourse section,
challenging numerous class III rapids. The trip ends with a nap in the van as
we head for Santa Fe. We provide all camping equipment, meals, soft drinks,
and water.
Price: $434* per person.
Minimum Group Size 4 people
*Prices do not include taxes or federal user fees.
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