Red River is a small town of about 400 full time inhabitants nestled in New Mexico's picturesque Sangre de Cristo mountains. The area's natural beauty has long attracted visitors seeking to get away from their busy schedules and enjoy a slower, more relaxed pace. With winter sports, summer sports and a variety of festivals and events, Red River offers plenty of activities for a fun getaway.
The town of Red River, New Mexico, started out in the late 1800s as a mining town. For years, miners pulled gold, silver and copper from the surrounding hills, and the population swelled to 3000. After the mining operations closed, tourism became the town's primary industry. Vacationers seeking to escape the sweltering temperatures liked Red River for its cool mountain climate. Then, in the 1950s, the Red River Ski & Snowboard Area opened, and Red River became a favorite destination for skiers and winter sports lovers.
Winter is playtime in Red River, and winter sports enthusiasts will enjoy the variety of activities available in the area. Downhill skiers and snowboarders can head to the Red River Ski & Snowboard Area, with trails leading right into town. In fact, 90% of Red River's lodging is within walking distance of the ski slopes, and two of the chair lifts leave from town. The Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe area is the destination of choice for cross country skiers. They even have pet trails if you want to bring your dog along! Snowmobiling, tubing and snowshoeing are other popular cold weather activities in the area.
When the weather heats up, Red River is a cool place for a summer vacation, with plenty to see and do. Visitors can hike the mountain trails, take long bike rides, play a round of golf, enjoy lazy picnics or spend the day fishing. The more adventure can go white water rafting in the Rio Grande. The Red River Ski & Snowboard Area offers scenic chair lift rides in summer so visitors can experience the area's natural beauty from up high.
If guests tire of outdoor sports, they can head downtown for shopping and dining. Families can check out the arcade, roller skating and go-carts at the Black Mountain Playhouse.
Red River hosts several fun festivals throughout the year. These include a Mardi Gras celebration, car show, blues fest, motorcycle rally, art festival, wine festival and more. Please follow the link to the Red River website in the "References" section below, where you'll find detailed information about upcoming events in the area.
