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River Trips

Half-Day Rafting Trips | Full-Day Rafting Trips | Multi-Day RaftingTrips




Half-Day Trips

Racecourse

The five mile Racecourse section is our most popular half-day trip, ranging from a wild class III + ride during the spring high-water to a more technically demanding run as the water goes down and the rocks come up in July and August. In spring and early summer, be prepared for cold water, big waves, and plenty of excitement. As summer continues, your guide will be depending on you to help maneuver the raft through many tight slots, the water warms up and there is more opportunity for warm-water fun such as swimming and boat surfing.

The Racecourse is a great trip for beginning whitewater enthusiasts as well as the experienced rafter looking for a quick adrenaline fix. Minimum age is six, although Kokopelli Rafting Adventures reserves the right to raise the age limit during extremely high water.

Inflatable kayaks are available at lower water levels.

Price: $52* per person. Age 6-12 $40*


Rio Grande Float

If you're looking for a relaxing trip through a beautiful volcanic rock canyon with a few mild class II rapids thrown in, then the Rio Grande Float half-day is for you. It is a perfect trip if you are not sure about the whole whitewater craze and want a mellow introduction to moving water. We will float past beautiful hillside springs, perhaps view ancient Indian art, look for wildlife and talk about the natural

This trip can be done in a paddleboat or an oar-powered raft, allowing you to simply sit back, relax and take in the sights. Minimum age on this trip is four under most conditions.

Inflatable kayaks are available at most water levels.

Price: $52* per person. Age 4-12 $40*

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Full-Day Trips:

Taos Box



VIDEO & More about Rafting the Taos Box.
The "Box", perhaps the premier one-day wilderness trip in the US, contains the best whitewater in New Mexico. This 17-mile trip, starts just northwest of Taos. We float through relatively calm water for a few miles, practicing our teamwork and paddle strokes for the demanding rapids downstream, including Ski Jump, Dead Car, and Powerline Falls. As the gorge deepens and the white-water increases, we'll still take time to look around at the beauty of northern New Mexico, possibly spotting a bald eagle high on the cliff-tops or a great blue heron on the river's edge.

The last two and a half miles of the "Box" are known as the "Rio Bravo" section, or wild river. We challenge one class III or IV rapid after another, then catch our breaths, before dropping into the grand finale, Sunset Rapid. This trip is demanding but unsurpassed in its combination of excitement and wild beauty.

A fresh, all you can eat buffet lunch is included, as well as polar fleece tops and full splash suits to keep you comfortable. Minimum age on the Taos Box is 12, although at some water levels we advise that guests have the physical stamina to fully participate.

Price: $99* per person weekdays. $115* per person weekends.

Lower Gorge
This popular trip combines our two half-day excursions into one exciting day! We start in the morning at the Taos Junction Bridge putting on for a nice relaxing morning, floating through spectacular, towering cliffs with mellow class II rapids. After a satisfying, all you can eat lunch, freshly prepared by your Kokopelli guides, we return to the boats to tackle the class III rapids on the Racecourse. The river narrows, picks up speed, and before we know it, we're blasting through Albert's Falls, the Narrows, and on to Big Rock Rapid. The Lower Gorge is a perfect choice for first time rafters, with the morning section offering an opportunity to get comfortable on moving water. Once you've discovered the joy of river travel, we increase the excitement in the afternoon. Minimum age is six, although we reserve the right to raise the age limit during extremely high water levels.

Price: $93* per person Age 6-12 $70*

White Rock Canyon
A day in White Rock Canyon, just west of Santa Fe, is a combination trip, including many of the things that make Northern New Mexico a special place. We will float through a spectacular canyon, formed millions of years ago during the age of volcanoes. At lunch, we will discover we are in the land of the Anazazi Indians, as we visit a site along the river that is hundreds of years old. We will also take time during the lunch break to cool off in beautiful, clear Pajarito Springs, a refreshing dip on those hot summer days.

After lunch we return to the rafts, looking forward to class II - III rapids and more amazing sights. As we approach the takeout, it's time to change our focus to hiking. We deflate and roll up the rafts in preparation for a moderate two and one-half mile hike up Frijoles Canyon to the headquarters of Bandelier National Monument. Each guest will be carrying their own personal flotation device, paddle and rain-gear, but you won't even notice, because of the incredible beauty surrounding us. A refreshing snack awaits us at the end of the hike, including ice-cold beverages. Minimum age on White Rock Canyon is seven.

Price: $119* per person.
Minimum Group Size 4 people - Call for Specific Trip Dates


Rio Chama River
Join us for a full day trip through the land and scenery that inspired the art of Georgia O'Keefe. This adventure begins about 70 miles northwest of Santa Fe, in the red rock country of northern New Mexico. We will float about eight miles of relatively tame water, negotiating a number of class II rapids as we pass through magnificent scenery, surrounded by ponderosa pines. The multi-colored cliffs along the Chama are among the most beautiful in New Mexico.

We will stop halfway through the day for a healthy, all you can eat buffet lunch, freshly prepared by your Kokopelli guides. After lunch, we continue downstream, running more class II rapids on our way to the takeout.

This trip can be done in a paddleboat or an oar-powered raft, which allows more time to take in the sights. Minimum age is five.

Price: $98* per person Age 5-12 $75*


La Junta (Middle Box)

Just upstream of the famous taos box is a hidden secret of New Mexico rafting. Seldom floated is the beautiful remote river between the la Junta (junction of the Red Rver and the Rio Grande) and the John Dunn Bridge. After a short hike down into the gorge along the miners trail, we'll prepare the rafts and float down this amazing river. This trip is mostly scenic floating with one significant class III rapid near the end. Inflatable kayaks are availailable.

Price $119*
Minimum Group Size 4 people - Call for Specific Trip Dates

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Multi-Day Trips

Rio Grande Whitewater Overnight
Imagine combining the Taos Box and the Lower Gorge into a two-day whitewater fiesta. We launch northwest of Taos, float through a spectacular canyon and negotiate numerous class III and IV rapids.
After an exciting day of whitewater, we stop at one of our campsites near the Taos Junction Bridge, the beginning of the Lower Gorge. A delicious dinner is prepared by your Kokopelli guides and after dinner we'll sit around, reliving the day's adventures.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we launch our rafts for a peaceful morning float, working the kinks out of our tired muscles. After lunch, it's more whitewater action as we head for the Racecourse section, challenging numerous class III rapids. The trip ends with a peaceful sleep in the van, as we head back to Santa Fe. We provide all camping equipment, meals, soft drinks, and water. Minimum age on this trip is 12.

Price: $295* per person.

White Rock Canyon Overnight

An overnight trip in White Rock Canyon, just west of Santa Fe, is a combination trip, including many of the things that make Northern New Mexico a special place. We will float through a spectacular canyon, formed millions of years ago during the age of volcanoes.

At our campsite, we will discover we are in the land of the Anazazi Indians, as we visit an ancient agricultural location along the river that is hundreds of years old. We will also have an opportunity for hiking and will take time to cool off in beautiful, clear Pajarito Springs, a refreshing dip on those hot summer days. While you are relaxing or exploring, your Kokopelli guides will prepare a delicious dinner.

After a hearty breakfast and perhaps another swim in the spring, we return to the rafts, looking forward to class II - III rapids and more amazing sights. As we approach the takeout, it's time to change our focus to hiking.

We leave the boats in preparation for a moderate two and one-half mile hike up Frijoles Canyon to the headquarters of Bandelier National Monument. Each guest will be carrying their own personal gear, but you won't even notice, because of the incredible beauty surrounding us. A refreshing snack awaits us at the end of the hike, including ice-cold beverages. Minimum age on White Rock Canyon is seven.

Join us June 10-11th, July 7-9th, or Aug 1-3rd. Or call for other availability!


Price: Two day, $295* per person. Three day, $395* per person.

Minimum Group Size 4 people


Rio Chama Overnight
Join us for a two or three-day adventure floating the Wild and Scenic Rio Chama through the magnificent sculpted sandstone land that inspired the artist Georgia O'Keefe. The 31-mile trip begins at El Vado Dam about 90 miles northwest of Santa Fe in ponderosa pine country. The Chama flows through a 1500-foot deep wilderness canyon that is remote and difficult to access, ensuring that wildlife and birdlife are plentiful. The trip is a mixture of mellow floating combined with moderate class II and III rapids. The Chama is a perfect trip for families and those looking for days filled with beauty and relaxation.

We offer this trip in oar powered or paddle rafts. We also have the option of inflatable kayaks or "duckies" for the more adventurous. As with all our overnight trips, we provide all camping equipment, tasty, nutritious meals prepared by your Kokopelli guides, and everything you need for an outdoor experience you will always remember. This trip has very limited availability; please call early for dates and reservations.

July 24 - 28th SPECIAL 4 day pastel painting workshop is offered by our partners Santa Fe Art Voyageur.

Price: Two day, $295* per person. Three day, $395* per person.

Minimum Group Size 4 people

Ute Mountain
One hundred and fifty miles north of Santa Fe is a designated Wild and Scenic section of the Rio Grande that is rarely floated and thus has retained a wild beauty that is difficult to find in today's hectic world. If you are looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, join us on a two-day, 25-mile journey back to another era.
The trip begins just north of the New Mexico-Colorado border and as we head downstream, we begin our descent into the canyon as the walls rise dramatically above us. It is common to be surrounded by thousands of swallows. Eagles, falcons, and owls are also often spotted. We will see an abundance of wildlife and a wide variety of native plants not found on other sections of the Rio Grande.

We will float downstream for about 10 miles to our campsite at Costilla Creek, where your guides will assist you in setting up our tents in preparation for a night under the wide New Mexico sky. Your guides will also be acting as chefs for the evening, cooking up one of our healthy, tasty dinners.

The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we continue downstream, running numerous class II rapids, as the canyon deepens and narrows. It is about 14 miles of spectacular scenery from our campsite to the trip's end at Lee Trail. There we will pack up our gear and hike up a short, but steep, quarter mile trail to the top of the rim and the waiting van, for the return trip to Santa Fe.

This adventure has limited availability, so please call us for dates. Minimum age on Ute Mountain is seven.

Join us on June 19th - 20th , 2008. Call for details!

The price, which includes meals and all camping equipment, is $295* per person.

Rio Grande Whitewater Three-Day
A unique trip combining the La Junta, Taos Box and the Lower Gorge into a three-day rafting adventure. We launch northwest of Taos, after a hike into the spectacular canyon near the La Junta (or confluence) of the Red River and the Rio Grande. After loading the rafts we're off on this beautiful and remote river. The evening is spent enjoying a delicious dinner and camping at a beautiful riverside spot. On day 2 we float through a spectacular canyon of the famous Taos Box and negotiate numerous class III and IV rapids. After an exciting day of whitewater, we stop at one of our campsites near the Taos Junction Bridge, the beginning of the Lower Gorge. A delicious dinner is prepared by your Kokopelli guides and after dinner we'll sit around, reliving the day's adventures. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we launch our rafts for a peaceful morning float, working the kinks out of our tired muscles. After lunch, it's more whitewater action as we head for the Racecourse section, challenging numerous class III rapids. The trip ends with a peaceful sleep in the van, as we head back to Santa Fe. We provide all camping equipment, meals, soft drinks, and water.

Price: $395* per person.

Join us July 4-6th 2008! Call for details.

Minimum Group Size 4 people

Rio Grande Four-Day
The Rio Grande four - day trip can be a combination of Ute Mountain and White Rock Canyon or the Taos Box and the Lower Gorge. It is dependent on time of year, water levels and guest interest. For more information on spending four days with us on the Rio Grande, please call.

Price: $450* per person.

Minimum Group Size 4 people



*Prices do not include taxes or federal user fees.

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KOKOPELLI RAFTING ADVENTURES     551 W. Cordova Rd. #540 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
RESERVATIONS 800.879.9035 505.983.3734 in Santa Fe     Kokopelli@SantaFeAdventure.com


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Kokopelli Rafting operates in accordance with permits issued by The Bureau of Land Management, USDA Santa Fe National Forest and Bandelier National Monument.

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