La Vista Verde Trail – Rio Grande, NM Posted On: April 30, 2021 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Nature Tagged In: hiking, Taos, trail This easy 2.3 mile trail in the Rio Grande Gorge has a lot to offer. Located north of Pilar, the access road runs up along the river at the bottom of the gorge, passing some campgrounds in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. After crossing the Taos Junction Bridge, in approximately one mile you come to the trailhead. The sign after crossing the bridge says “proceed with caution” and that’s a great suggestion. The next photo shows a example of the ancient petroglyph seen along the hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and mountain biking and is best used from March until November. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leash. The trail runs along a high bench above the Rio Grande. There will be times when you can here the river descending the gorge several hundred feet below. There is an overlook of the confluence of the Rio Grande and Rio Pueblo de Taos a few hundred feet after leaving the parking area. Many of our customers, either before or after participating in one of our river trips visit this location. Enjoy the vista from the overlook at the end of the trail, and then make you way back the way you came. Take a look at the Santa Fe New Mexican article for more information. See You On The Trail! Images courtesy of Britt Runyon Images.