Directions
The visitor center is located in Pilar, NM, at the intersection of NM 570 and NM 68, 2873 North State Road 68.
Phone
(575) 758-8851
Activities
AUTO TOURING, BIKING, CAMPING, FISHING, HIKING, PICNICKING, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, WILDLIFE VIEWING, PADDLING
Camping Reservations
Reserve your campsite at these camping areas:
Hiking Trails
Looking for nice hiking areas to take a hike? Choose from these scenic hiking trails:
Related Link(s)
More New Mexico Recreation Areas
The Orilla Verde Recreation Area is located within the Rнo Grande Del Norte National Monument and along the Rнo Grande Wild and Scenic River. Nestled along the banks of the Rнo Grande and within the steep-walled Rнo Grande Gorge, the campgrounds in this area offer nearby access to the river. The elevation along the river is 6,100 feet and the steep canyon rises 800 feet from the river to the Gorge rim.
Gentle waters with occasional small rapids flow through Orilla Verde, providing an ideal setting for many recreational activities. Because of the dramatic changes in elevation and the diversity of plant life, Orilla Verde draws many species of animals, including raptors (such as eagles and hawks), songbirds, waterfowl, beaver, cougar, ringtail, mule deer, and more. The Rнo Grande also has attracted humans since prehistoric times. Evidence of ancient peoples is found throughout the Recreation Area in the form of petroglyphs on the rocks and many other types of archaeological sites.
The climate at Orilla Verde is semi-arid, with summer thunderstorms common in July and August, and snow possible from October through March. Summer temperatures range from 45 to 90 degrees, and winter temperatures range from -15 to 45 degrees.
