"I just wanted to thank everyone at Los Rios for a great trip through the Taos Box on Memorial Day! All of our guides were friendly and funny but also clearly knowledgeable and professional when it comes to whitewater safety. The river was high, wild, and exciting and made for the best raft trip I've ever experienced! The scenery of the gorge was an awe-inspiring backdrop for a great adventure. In addition, a pleasant surprise was the great lunch that they prepared! I will definitely recommend Los Rios to anyone I know who travels to New Mexico"
Angela
Washington, DC

 

 

 

"I absolutely loved and relished every second of it, gliding and roaring through an awe-inspiring canyon with such a totally cool-dude guide. It's an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world."
Lily Johnston
London, England

 

 

 

 

"I just wanted to take the time to thank you for a very enjoyable and well-executed full-day rafting trip... Our guide Josh was superb! He is calm, knowledgeable, interesting, friendly and above all safe and capable of leading a raft full of novices. We are really thankful we ended up in his care!"
Kate and Bruce Frank

 

 

 

"I just wanted to thank you guys for the follow-up you provided concerning my recommended scheduling change for my rafting trip. After speaking to your rep on Saturday our trip was changed, due to high water flow, to a more suitable trip for my twelve-year-old grandson ... Our rafting trip was a big hit. My grandson and I had an absolute blast. I was very impressed with the river guides and their attention to everyone's safety. Our boat guide, Suzie, was gerat, and displayed genuine concern for our safety while ensuring we all had a good time. Thanks again for a wonderful day on the river."
Robert Phillips
Albuquerque, NM

 

 

 

"We had an excellent trip with Los Rios (once again!) and will be coming back this summer for the full day trip when the water is down a bit! Our guide (Jerry I think) was excellent and made us feel like pros going over those big rapids! Excellent water and a really good time! Thanks again."
Yvonne Swartz-Lewiecki
Tijeras, NM

 

Taos Box Full Day Rafting Adventure

The world-famous Taos Box … A remote chasm of rugged basalt cliffs plunging 800 feet down to the Rio Grande. A breathtaking wilderness alive with the cries of ravens, falcons, and eagles. And the echoing roar of world-class whitewater.

The Taos Box is the ultimate whitewater thrill: 17 miles of intense, challenging rapids crashing through the most awe-inspiring part of the Rio Grande Gorge. It's suitable for first-time rafters – as long as you are in good physical condition and have a good sense of adventure. Book soon: many days sell out early.

WHITEWATER RATING: Class 4 plus

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM AGE: 12 (14 in high water, 16 in super-high water)

MEET: 8.30 a.m., Los Rios boathouse (mile marker 40 on Hwy 68). Return to your vehicle between 3 and 5 p.m.

SEASON: Variable: can start as early as March. Usually best in May and June. Usually too low to run by mid-July – but not always! Check with us.

PRICE: $100 weekdays, $115 weekends. Does not include tax and federal user fee. Group discount available on weekdays only.

WE PROVIDE: all rafting and safety equipment including life-jacket and helmet, waterproof jacket and pants, wetsuit if required, transportation to and from our boathouse, generous deli-style buffet lunch. Neoprene booties available to rent for $5.

MAJOR RAPIDS OF THE TAOS BOX:
Ski Jump	Class 3
Trash	Class 3
Upchuck	Class 3-
Yellowbank	Class 3 (4+ in low water)
Lemonade	Class 3
Dead Car	Class 3 (4 in low water)
Power Line Falls	Class 3+
The Rock Garden	Class 4+
Boat Reamer	Class 3+ (4 in high water)
Screaming Left Turn	Class 3+
The Boulder Field inc. Gut and Corkscrew	Class 3 (4 in very high and very low water)
Enema	Class 4
Sunset	Class 3 (4 in high water)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - TAOS BOX:

Will I be in an oar boat or a paddle boat?
The most intense thrills are in a paddle boat, where participants power the boat following the guide's instructions. Most people prefer a paddle boat. You will be in a paddle boat unless you request an oar boat, where the guide is in full control of the boat and you can choose to paddle or just hang on.

Do I have to know how to swim?
We prefer participants to be able to swim, especially in high water. Risk is higher for non-swimmers. You must be able to assist in your own rescue in the event you fall out of the boat.

Am I going to fall out of the boat?
It’s possible. We try to avoid it. Good paddling will help keep you in the boat. The average number of people who take an unscheduled swim is probably well below 10%.

Do I have to wear a helmet?
Yes, helmets are compulsory on Class 4 runs.

Can you run the Box no matter what the water level is?
No. We need a certain minimum streamflow to get a raft through the big rapids of the Taos Box. Because water levels on the Rio Grande are unpredictable and change at short notice, we book all trips through the Taos Box as a "Mystery Tour." We reserve a boat and guide for your party, and speak with you the day before the trip. If the Box is runnable and suitable for your group, that's where we'll go. If not, you choose one of our other full-day adventures: the Middle Box funyak [link], the Lower Gorge [link] in rafts or funyaks, or the Chama full-day [link] if available.

What about really high water?
Every few years we get very high water levels. We raise our recommended minimum age, and we will want to discuss with you whether or not a very high water trip is suitable for you. You will need to be extra adventurous and understand that there is an increased risk of taking an unscheduled, and perhaps long, swim.

Doesn't the whitewater rating go down in low water?
No. The rating is a measure of difficulty, not water. Some rapids are tougher at low water levels.

Can my child go if he/she is below the recommended minimum age?
Maybe. It's a recommendation, not a rule. If your child is well-grown, athletic, a good swimmer and has rafted before, we will consider it. Please phone to discuss it with us.

What if the weather's bad?
We don't cancel because of rain: usually it doesn't last long, and let's face it you're going to get wet anyway! Early- and late-season trips are subject to our weather policy: if the predicted high temperature is less than 50 degrees, we give you the option of cancelling at no charge to you. It helps if you can be flexible within a few days so we can choose the most suitable day for boating. The decision is made the day before the trip.

What exactly does lunch consist of?
As soon as we hit the beach, we provide chips and salsa and drinks (sodas, juice, and water) while the guides prepare a fresh sandwich buffet. Typically we have two or three choices of bread (whole wheat, rye, sourdough, etc.); sliced meats (roast beef, turkey, ham); sliced cheese (cheddar and mozzarella); fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, and avocadoes; and condiments such as mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, green chile, salt and pepper. Have more than one sandwich if you like! This is followed by freshly sliced fruit such as pineapple or melon and cookies.