Red River NM Summer/Fall Vacation Guide

"The town of Red River is located in the main canyon near where the Mallette and Bitter Creek canyons come in from the east and the Pioneer and Placer canyons from the west. It is the ideal spot of the district for a town, having the advantage of central location, the junction of roads and trails and an abundance of room on which to build business, houses, residences and reduction plants of any extent required.

"The town consists of a collection of some one hundred and fifty or more buildings of log, frame and brick, mostly residence, but a sufficient number of hotels, stores and all other business establishments necessary for the accommodation of all residents or strangers."

That’s how Red River City was described in an 1897 edition of the LaBelle Cresset, a weekly newspaper published in the mining town of LaBelle, located approximately twelve miles north of the Red River Valley. Established in 1895 as a mining camp, Red River City once boasted of having 3,000 people working and living in the valley and the surrounding canyons. That figure may have been the work of land speculators trying to promote the area, a common practice in western mining areas.

Today, the population is roughly 450 people, although it can swell to 6,000, depending on the weather and the time of the year. Most of the hard-rock miners are gone, except for a few recreational miners who like to pan the mountain streams for colored metal or work the old-time claims with new and modern technology. There is, however, no drought of visitors to the high country joys of summer: cool days, mountain showers and chilly nights beneath a sky of a billion stars.

In addition to the wonders of the forest, like fishing, hiking, camping, etc., there are hotels, shops and all manner of business establishments to make your stay in the valley memorable. You’re always welcome in Red River.

Some Interesting High Country Facts:

Red River sits in a valley of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 8,750 feet above sea level. The highest point in New Mexico is nearby Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet.

The town is surrounded by the Kit Carson National Forest, named after the 19th century frontiersman who once hunted beaver in the Red River Valley.

Average summer daytime temperature is 75 degrees, nighttime average is 38 degrees! Red River is a cool place - literally.


		Photo by Ron Weathers "The town of Red River is located in the main canyon near where the Mallette and Bitter Creek canyons come in from the east and the Pioneer and Placer canyons from the west. It is the ideal spot of the district for a town, having the advantage of central location, the junction of roads and trails and an abundance of room on which to build business, houses, residences and reduction plants of any extent required. "The town consists of a collection of some one hundred and fifty or more buildings of log, frame and brick, mostly residence, but a sufficient number of hotels, stores and all other business establishments necessary for the accommodation of all residents or strangers." That’s how Red River City was described in an 1897 edition of the LaBelle Cresset, a weekly newspaper published in the mining town of LaBelle, located approximately twelve miles north of the Red River Valley. Established in 1895 as a mining camp, Red River City once boasted of having 3,000 people working and living in the valley and the surrounding canyons. That figure may have been the work of land speculators trying to promote the area, a common practice in western mining areas. Today, the population is roughly 450 people, although it can swell to 6,000, depending on the weather and the time of the year. Most of the hard-rock miners are gone, except for a few recreational miners who like to pan the mountain streams for colored metal or work the old-time claims with new and modern technology. There is, however, no drought of visitors to the high country joys of summer: cool days, mountain showers and chilly nights beneath a sky of a billion stars. In addition to the wonders of the forest, like fishing, hiking, camping, etc., there are hotels, shops and all manner of business establishments to make your stay in the valley memorable. You’re always welcome in Red River. Some Interesting High Country Facts: Red River sits in a valley of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 8,750 feet above sea level. The highest point in New Mexico is nearby Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet. The town is surrounded by the Kit Carson National Forest, named after the 19th century frontiersman who once hunted beaver in the Red River Valley. Average summer daytime temperature is 75 degrees, nighttime average is 38 degrees! Red River is a cool place - literally.

©1999 Kerry Shepherd/Red River Miner