Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River

The Rio Grande flows through approximately 196 miles of desert landscape and creates deep canyons with layered rock walls and natural water channels. The river features steep rock formations with varying colors and textures that drop sharply from the surrounding terrain down to the water level.

Congress designated this section of the river in 1968 to safeguard its natural condition and prevent future development or alterations. This protection marked an important moment in efforts to preserve key river corridors across the nation.

The river corridor served for centuries as a meeting point and boundary between different communities on both sides. Visitors can still see old pathways and settlement marks that show how people lived and traveled through this region.

Multi-day river trips require permits and visitors must bring adequate water supplies since drinking water sources are not available along the route. The best time to visit is from late fall through early spring when temperatures remain moderate and more manageable.

The protected area includes three distinct canyons - Boquillas, Mariscal, and Lower Canyon - each with its own rock formations and water conditions. Each canyon offers paddlers different challenges and varying levels of difficulty throughout the journey.

Location: New Mexico

Location: Texas

Inception: October 2, 1968

Elevation above the sea: 466 m

Website: https://blm.gov/visit/rio-grande-wild-and-scenic-river

GPS coordinates: 29.75756,-102.52897

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02