summer activites

Cool It in Red River

While the rest of the Southwest heats up in the summer, Red River remains a cool mountain retreat. So head on up and cool off! There’s plenty to do... and plenty of beautiful, shady places to do nothing at all. Along with hiking, biking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits, add nearby golf and white-water rafting on the Rio Grande to the list. Summer is high season for special events. We host a Memorial Day motorcycle rally, a classic car show, a wine festival, two major cycling events, and live music in the park. 

For a real taste of the Wild West, join us for “Days of 1895,” a pioneer days event celebrating our mining history, or plan your visit during our annual Chili Cook-Off & Music Festival. Mid-June through mid-August, experience mock bank robberies and shootouts at Frye’s Old Town. At day’s end, enjoy a cowboy evening complete with a chuck wagon-style dinner with all the fixin’s and a western stage show under the stars.

Red River Community House

The Red River Community House is known throughout the region as the best place for family entertainment. Throughout the summer the Community House offers over 400 FREE family-friendly activities like Movies on the Lawn, Music in the Mountains, “Chill” Teenager and Young Adult Night, daily hikes, history tours, and much, much more. For a complete list of all of the activities at the Red River Community House click here.

The Community House is centering their arts & crafts activities around recyclable materials this summer.  Want to help? Save your recyclables before your trip to Red River and drop them off when you get to town.  Interested in volunteering? Any amount of time helps! Email the Community House for more information. 

ATV / OHV Permits and Information 

The state of New Mexico requires a day use permit for all ATV's/OHV's.  Save time by purchasing your permit in advance with the online licensing system.  You will need to create a new account, then you are given the option to purchase your ATV permit. IMPORTANT: Add all of your vehicles to the permit application before you click "review application." This will save you the $4.95 processing fee for each of your vehicles.  Once you have completed the online purchase you will receive an email confirmation.  Print out your confirmation, which will serve as your temporary permit. 

Chamber of Commerce Instruction Sheet

For more information on how to obtain your permit and New Mexico's safety rules, click here.  For information on permit enforcement, click here.

To see the Town of Red River's response to the propsed closure of trails to motorized vehicles in the surrounding area, click here.

Want to know what the locals know? Click here to read "Tips for Vacationing in Red River."

 “Red River, New Mexico: voted number one by the Guidebook America kid’s team for fun, entertainment, and kid-friendly lodging.”

  - guidebookamerica.com, March 2007