Here’s the thing about the Rio Grande: it looks peaceful… until you’re in a raft with a paddle and suddenly it’s less “gentle river” and more “hold onto your hat, Dorothy.” Luckily, that’s exactly where Far Flung Adventures shines.
These folks have been running trips down the river since the 70s, which basically means they’ve seen everything: nervous tourists clutching their paddles like life preservers, kids who think they’re invincible, and that one uncle who insists he doesn’t need sunscreen (spoiler: he does).
What I loved most? The guides aren’t just river experts — they’re part comedian, part wilderness encyclopedia, and part cheerleader. One moment they’re pointing out ancient petroglyphs on the canyon walls, the next they’re cracking jokes as you bounce through rapids with names like “Pinball” or “The Rock Garden.” It’s equal parts adrenaline and laughter — kind of like riding a roller coaster, if roller coasters came with bald eagle sightings.
And the trips fit every mood. Want a chill float where you can just wave at passing herons and snack on riverside burritos? They’ve got it. Craving the kind of whitewater that makes you rethink your life choices (in the best way)? They’ve got that too. They’ll even take you out for multi-day adventures where you camp under the stars — the kind of stars so bright you half expect to hear a soundtrack playing overhead.
By the end of the day, I was soaked, grinning like a fool, and already planning my next trip. Because if you’re in Taos and you don’t go rafting with Far Flung, you’re basically just looking at the river when you could be in it — and trust me, the river has a lot more fun planned than you do.
Book your own adventure by calling their office or visiting their website: farflung.com
