Our Rivers
“Wild and Scenic” describes the Rio Grande and Rio Chama of northern New Mexico, the sites of the best of New Mexico Rafting, and is the designation conferred on these two magnificent rivers by the U.S. Congress. The Rio Grande thunders in the depths of a precipitous gorge, with wild rapids boxed in by sheer cliffs, while the Rio Chama flows sedately through a canyon of multi-hued sandstone and stands of tall Ponderosa pine. To protect these rivers, use is limited.

Our Season
New Wave's New Mexico rafting summer starts with the first rush of snowmelt water, in April. This is the beginning of the white knuckles boating season, with big waves, fast water and lots of action, lasting usually through mid-summer. Air and water temperatures, initially cool, warm rapidly, with summer heat arriving by late May. Declining water levels in mid-summer usher in our more playful sporting season, where we weave our smaller rafts and funyaks in and out of the boulders that, only a few weeks before, made big waves. Swimming, raft surfing and other antics make this time of year the most fun for families.