Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is a 242,555-acre protected area in New Mexico featuring a deep gorge carved through volcanic basalt flows. The river has cut through layers of rock over millennia, creating sheer canyon walls that rise hundreds of feet above the water.

The site shows archaeological evidence of human settlement from the Archaic period, with numerous petroglyphs and prehistoric dwelling sites scattered throughout. These early cultures left marks and structures that remain visible in the monument today.

The lands hold deep meaning for the Jicarilla Apache, Utes, Taos Pueblo, and Picuris Pueblo, whose ancestors lived here for countless generations. Visitors can see traces of this long connection in how the communities still relate to these places today.

The monument has five campgrounds offering basic facilities and can be reached via paved highways from nearby towns. Two Bureau of Land Management visitor centers provide information to help plan your visit and answer questions about the area.

The monument contains two wilderness areas, Rio San Antonio and Cerro del Yuta, which were officially designated in 2019 through federal conservation law. These sections offer visitors remote hiking trails far from the main access points.

Location: Rio Arriba County

Operator: Bureau of Land Management

GPS coordinates: 36.64023,-105.71945

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57