The Most Charming River Towns In New Mexico
New Mexico's riverside towns pair green river valleys with stark desert and Old Western heritage. Taos sits close to the Rio Grande and its tributaries. Red River hugs the mountain river that shares its name and built a busy outdoor scene around it. The Animas River runs through the city of Aztec, an old settlement that is now an outdoor recreation hub. Each of these towns tells its story through the water that flows past it. That connection is what makes them worth exploring one by one.
Taos
The gorgeous town of Taos is renowned for its tri-cultural history (Native Americans, Hispanic, and Anglo), and has the Rio Grande and its tributaries flowing through the community. On the outskirts of town is the Slide Trail, an easy 2.7-mile-long trail near the Taos Junction Bridge and starting at a dirt road. The trail is a section of New Mexico State Road 570 that was closed off, which requires some hiking to get through the area. On the western end of town is Fred Baca Park, a quaint destination near the Rio Fernando de Taos. The park is pet-friendly; it has a half-mile loop for jogging and walking; it has a playground; a basketball court; and two tennis courts, providing a relaxing spot for an escape from the desert.
Within downtown on Kit Carson Road is La Doña Luz Inn, a local hotel set in a Pueblo-architectured building built in 1802, full of warm, welcoming colors on the exterior and interior; it has comfortable rooms, and it is within walking distance of Taos Plaza. The plaza is a pleasant park, with a gazebo for gatherings and live music, surrounded by restaurants, Inns, and shops for the community to visit and enjoy. One of the lively spots to visit in the plaza is the Gorge Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious food, with outdoor seating to take in the gorgeous scenery.
Bernalillo
Another appealing Rio Grande town to explore is Bernalillo, just north of Albuquerque, a historic hub with the Coronado Historic Site and the Kuaua Ruins in its vicinity. The historic site is oddly enough next to the Rio Grande, showcasing the history of the Pueblo people, their unique settlements, and how they thrived. Visitors can tour the site and view artifacts, art, and architecture from the 16th century. Just south of the historic site is the Coronado Campground, where travelers can park their RVs, campers, and cars for the night or weekend and relax next to the adjacent river, have picnics, take in the views of the Sandia Mountains, play on some volleyball courts, and hike on some trails near the river.
Near downtown is Abuelita's New Mexican Kitchen, serving freshly made Southwestern cuisine including Red Navajo Tacos, enchiladas, and Beef Nuevo México fajitas in a family-friendly setting. On South Hill Road is Kaktus Brewing Company, a local nano-brewery pouring small-batch beers alongside organic bites and specialty wood-fired pizzas. With live music and an outdoor patio, it is a relaxed spot for friends, families, and co-workers to gather.
Red River
Up in the mountains north of Taos is Red River, a resort town with the iconic Red River flowing through the community; it has a rich gold-mining history and an active outdoor scene. The Red River Nature Trail is a three-mile easygoing trail with nice elevation to walk off a breakfast or a late lunch. Hikers and walkers of the trail can enjoy the calming sounds of the Red River, and it is next to the local lodges and ATV trails. The Copper King Lodge sits behind the river and is a cozy place to spend the night or weekend, providing gorgeous cabins, built-in grills, fire pits, backyard swings, riverside seating, and a gazebo for family and friends' gatherings.
Up on Main Street is the Noisy Water Winery, where patrons can enjoy wine tastings, join wine clubs where members receive six bottles of their choice every three months, and attend local events like trivia nights and wine classes, where people can learn how wine is made. Another exciting place to try some lively drinks is the Red River Brewery and Distillery, which serves locally amazing flavors like the Nine Mile Bird, the Bad Medicine Honey DIPA IPA, and the Lazy Bear Blonde. The brewery also serves tasty bites like the Brewhouse Salad, Brewhouse Tacos, and Barbecue Brisket for a delicious experience.
Aztec
The small and alluring city of Aztec has the Animas River flowing through, making for a great spot to go fishing, while the rest of town is full of history and has an amazing downtown. Riverside Park is a scenic place to take in the natural scenery of the Animas River, riverside greenery, shaded picnic areas, a playground, and tennis courts. Visitors can go fishing, access the river via boat, and explore nearby trails. A historic icon to see in the northern end of town is Aztec Ruins National Monument, where people can view incredibly well-preserved Pueblo architecture, artifacts, and culture. People can walk a self-guided trail through the ruins, and the park hosts special events like a Lantern Display called the Evening of Lights in December.
A great restaurant in town to try some local Southwestern barbecue is San Juan BBQ, serving a flavorful selection of pulled pork, turkey, sausages, brisket, and burnt ends. San Juan BBQ also serves sandwiches, with toppings to choose from, and offers loaded fries, baked potatoes, or house salads on the side. Another museum to see in town is the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village, where people can view exhibits showcasing the town's past through artifacts, documents, and photographs, view Pioneer Village's 12 preserved buildings, learn about Western American culture, and take a free walking tour.
Jemez Springs
Deep in the Santa Fe National Forest is Jemez Springs, a village with alluring nature surrounding the community, including the Jemez River, and relaxing mineral hot springs to enjoy after a long week. Right next to the river is Jemez Hot Springs, a soaking retreat where guests can relax and unwind in four pools of mineral water containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, silica, and sodium to refresh the body for the weekend. Its on-site cottages are comfortable and spacious, but they do not have TVs, which adds to the tranquility of the spa.
Right on New Mexico Route Four, across the street from Jemez Hot Springs, is Los Ojos Restaurant and Saloon, a local restaurant serving local Southwestern and Mexican-style meals since 1947, and is one of the most popular gathering spots in the village. Customers will love the New Mexico Bison Burger, the Red Chile Ribs, and the Mesa Quesadilla, just to name a few of the tasty menu items to try in a Western-style setting. Just down the street is Jemez Fine Art Gallery, which displays a diverse collection of locally crafted art by local and regional artists who embrace the artistic culture. People can view oil paintings, wood batiks, ceramics, sculptures, acrylic paintings, and ink art that tell their own unique stories for people to enjoy.
Truth or Consequences
Another amazing Rio Grande community to experience near the central part of the state is Truth or Consequences, a fun and quirky town with satisfying hot springs, similar to Jemez Springs, and access to outdoor recreation. Ralph Edwards Park is a delightful place to enjoy a sunny day in town, as it has a large green lawn, a playground, a gazebo in the middle of the park, an adorable pond, and a boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft to launch into the Rio for an exciting day on the water. The park hosts community events and is the home of the Sierra County Farmers Market, where people can purchase locally grown produce on Saturdays, May through October, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Right in the heart of town is the Hoosier Hot Springs and Inn, a relaxing hotel which has its own spa, giving its guests the ultimate place to relax for the weekend. The hot springs are an adult-only experience, providing fresh mineral water to soak in, and the Inn has comfy and spacious rooms to spend the night or weekend in for a memorable experience. The Truth or Consequences Brewery is a short distance away from the Hoosier Hot Springs and Inn, as it is a lively and entertaining place to drink some refreshing craft beer like the True Moon, the Cosmic Blonde, and the Irish Red. The brewery also hosts live music from local musicians and other events that keep the night young and unique.
Chama
Near the Colorado state line is Chama, a naturally beautiful village with the Rio Chama flowing through it, views of the Southern Rocky Mountains, and it is surrounded by diverse nature. An easy trail to hike north of town is the 0.9-mile-long Elk Interpretive Trail, a trail providing people with a gorgeous place to walk or hike, with alluring views of the mountains and landscape. Near the Elk Interpretive Trail is the Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area, a scenic spot for nature enthusiasts with fresh air, numerous hiking trails, and more views of the Rocky Mountains.
A local favorite on Maple Avenue is the Victorian Chama, a friendly and warm, welcoming bed and breakfast providing guests with comfortable rooms, a hot tub for friends and family, and a barbecue deck for some unique cookouts. On the eastern end of town is the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which operates on 64 miles of tracks between town and Antonito, CO. When riding the train, passengers can view the surrounding mountains, forest, and Rio Chama from the comfort of old train cars for a timely experience through the Rockies.
Riverside Charm in the Land of Enchantment
Each of these lively river towns lives up to the hype with incredible amenities within their boundaries, from comfortable hotels and inns to relaxing hot spring spas and parks with wide views of the town's respective rivers flowing by. Truth or Consequences and Jemez Springs each have timely hot spring spas and inns that welcome people looking for a relaxing weekend to unwind; Aztec welcomes people with its immense Pueblo history; and Chama is a naturally beautiful place to experience nature in the northern part of the state, thanks to the Rio Chama and the Rocky Mountains. Each of these riverside towns welcomes people to visit for the first time or to return to the breathtaking beauty of the "Land of Enchantment."
