Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway

A 13-mile paved loop road providing access to BLM's Wild Rivers Recreation Area within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in Taos County, northern New Mexico, 26 miles north of Taos. Managed by the BLM, the byway features scenic canyon views of the Rio Grande gorge, an 800-foot-deep gorge carved through volcanic flows. Amenities include a visitor center, five campgrounds (El Aguaje, La Junta, Montoso, Little Arsenic, Big Arsenic), day-use parking areas, and scenic overlooks. The road is open year-round, though winter snow may temporarily restrict access. The area supports wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.