The Taos Junction bridge, also known as the Rio Grande Bridge

This bridge has day use parking at the site and is a drop site, with fairly heavy commercial raft use in the spring. The site is a very isolated gorge location with little access after put-in. Two hot springs along the river are popular depending on water level and at higher water level, the pools are flooded.

The monument includes approximately 242,555 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The landscape is comprised of rugged, wide open plains at an average elevation of 7,000 feet, dotted by volcanic cones, and cut by steep canyons with rivers tucked away in their depths.

The Río Grande carves an 800 foot deep gorge through layers of volcanic basalt flows and ash. Among the volcanic cones in the Monument, Ute Mountain is the highest, reaching to 10,093 feet.

The unique setting of the Monument has a wealth of recreational opportunities including: whitewater rafting, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. The Wild Rivers Recreation Area at the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River includes campgrounds, scenic viewpoints, and hiking trails.

La Junta Point, at Wild Rivers, provides a wheelchair accessible dramatic vista of the confluence of the two rivers. The Orilla Verde Recreation Area includes campgrounds near the river′s edge, as well as boat launches. The Taos Valley overlook provides stunning views and trails for hiking and mountain biking.

The bridge is located on State Highway 567 in Taos County where it crosses the Rio Grande River.

Sleep very late this morning until the sun begins to warm up the jammer and then rise, dress in my winter blues and then head for the w-mart for coffee, com and to continue pounding keys. At ten this morning, I pack out and resume my upriver travel.

I follow the river valley up SR 68 for some time and then the river goes into the gorge, which at this point is somewhat small. The roadway follows the river in the gorge and both begin to wind to and fro through the upriver.

When I arrive at Pilar, New Mexico, I go into the Gorge visitors center. After a short stop, I drive up SR 570, a paved road, into the gorge and soon arrive at the entrance to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.