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New Mexico | Taos County / La Junta
Rio GrandeRed River confluence to John Dunn Bridge (La Junta)
An 8.5-mile advanced Class II–III gorge run from the Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge. Reach the water by carrying from an open Little or Big Arsenic trail; La Junta Trail remains closed.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Advanced day run with a steep boat carry and no dependable mid-gorge road exits; nearby BLM campsites require separate verification.
Access map
Put-in
Rio Grande at Red River confluence (water entry; carry from Little or Big Arsenic Trail)La Junta Trail is closed until further notice; only use an open Little or Big Arsenic trail to reach the confluence.
Take-out
John Dunn Bridge river landing (water entry)The launch and takeout are on the river, separate from rim parking and overlooks.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- La Junta Trail is closed until further notice; only use an open Little or Big Arsenic trail to reach the confluence.
- The launch and takeout are on the river, separate from rim parking and overlooks.
- Both access and rescue are strenuous; bring a team prepared for steep carries, cold water and remote self-rescue.
- Check Cebolla Mesa and Miners Trail road conditions if considering any other designated access; roads may be impassable in rain.
Watch for
- USGS 08263500 and American Whitewater 300–3,000 cfs runnable reference
- La Junta and Garapata Class III drops; scout and portage as needed
- Cold water, rising snowmelt, storms and canyon wind
- Closed trail, mandatory BLM registration, steep access carry and limited exits
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Rio Grande near Cerro, NM. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Rio Grande near Cerro, NM |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 3,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 300 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater La Junta reach-specific USGS flow range |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named reach and demandRed River confluence to John Dunn Bridge; 8.5 miles; Class II–III
American Whitewater maps this exact run. New Mexico Tourism identifies the confluence-to-John Dunn segment as an eight-mile wilderness float and describes the public trail carry to the confluence.
- Scored flow range300–3,000 cfs runnable reference
American Whitewater’s current reach correlation uses USGS 08263500 and defines 300 cfs as the low runnable threshold and 3,000 cfs as the high runnable threshold. This is a planning cue, not a safety guarantee.
- Access and current closureOn-water confluence start; John Dunn Bridge takeout; La Junta Trail closed
BLM directs visitors to Little or Big Arsenic Trails for confluence access, describes the steep one-mile carries, requires boater registration, and warns that boating is extremely hazardous.
- GaugeUSGS 08263500 Rio Grande near Cerro, NM
American Whitewater correlates the reach-specific runnable thresholds with this live same-river gauge.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
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Quick answers
Rio Grande paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge (La Junta) route on the Rio Grande?
Paddle Today watches Rio Grande near Cerro, NM and treats 300 cfs to 3,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge (La Junta) route on the Rio Grande start and end?
This route starts at Rio Grande at Red River confluence (water entry; carry from Little or Big Arsenic Trail) and ends at John Dunn Bridge river landing (water entry), about 8.5 river miles on the water.
Is the Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge (La Junta) route on the Rio Grande suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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