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The Orilla Verde Recreation Area was once known as the Rio Grande Gorge State Park. Set up for family traffic, the riverside canyon area provides easy access for fishing, hiking and camping.
Don't be surprised to find the silhouette of a human hand on the rocky walls. The area contains petroglyphs and artifacts dating back 1,200 years.
The Rio Grande is famous for northern pike, rainbow and large brown trout, and a portion of the Orilla Verde has been designated as Special Trout Waters. There is a daily limit of two trout.
There is are two put-ins for paddlers within the recreation area, and several boat launches along State Road 68, south of Pilar. Boating opportunities are best from May through July.
There are several short hiking trails in the area, including a 1.5 mile canyon trail.
The terrain is rugged, wide open mesas and chiseled steep canyons. The elevation along the river is 6,100 feet and rises in places to the gorge rim. Because of this dramatic change in elevation and the diversity of plants, Orilla Verde attracts many species of wildlife including eagles, hawks, songbirds, waterfowl, beaver, cougar, ringtail and mule deer.
The Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center is in Pilar at the intersection of NM 570 and NM 68. The center is open daily during summer.
Outdoor Activities |
Petroglyphs decorate a rock along La Vista Verde Trail.
Water rushes deep in the canyon along La Vista Verde Trail.
A rainbow at Orilla Verde casts a magical spell over the land.
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