Overview
Red River is a small mountain resort town in North Central New Mexico. Tucked into a canyon in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this former mining town now thrives on tourism as the home of a popular ski resort.
2 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Red River
Red River Ski & Summer Area
The main draw to town; this ski resort has plenty of great runs, a terrain park, a ski school, and a rental shop.
Carson National Forest
Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling and good cross-country skiing in the winter. The Red River is good for trout fishing, and there are several campgrounds along NM 38 west of town. The nearest ranger …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Santa Fe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TSM Taos Regional Airport, Taos — 23 mi away. Directions
- ALS San Luis Valley Regional Airport/Bergman Field, Alamosa — 56 mi away. Directions
- ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 133 mi away (major hub). Directions
Red River lies on NM 38, a section of the Enchanted Circle scenic roadway between the villages of Questa and Eagle Nest. It is approximately equidistant from Taos in either direction, with Taos across the circle to the southwest. From Taos, take NM 522 north to Questa, then make a right on NM 38 towards Red River. Limited weekday bus service to Questa, with connections to Taos, is offered by the NCRTD.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Red River Ski & Summer Area
- Lunch Capo's Corner
- Afternoon Carson National Forest
- Dinner Shotgun Willie's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Red River lies on NM 38, a section of the Enchanted Circle scenic roadway between the villages of Questa and Eagle Nest. It is approximately equidistant from Taos in either direction, with Taos across the circle to the southwest. From Taos, take NM 522 north to Questa, then make a right on NM 38 towards Red River. Limited weekday bus service to Questa, with connections to Taos, is offered by the NCRTD.
Get around
This is pretty much a one-street town, with everything within easy walking distance.
Do
Do Carson National Forest
Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling and good cross-country skiing in the winter. The Red River is good for trout fishing, and there are several campgrounds along NM 38 west of town. The nearest ranger station is located in the village of Questa, on NM 38 several miles west of town, where you can purchase maps and get more detailed information on the recreational offerings in the area.
Eat
Eat Capo's Corner
Italian restaurant with indoor or patio seating next to the river. Pasta dishes tend to be a bit too al dente for some tastes, but the pizzas are excellent.
Eat Old Timers Cafe
Chicken-fried steak, roast beef sandwiches and pizzas.
Eat Shotgun Willie's
The atmosphere is really nothing more than a shack, and the food is served on paper plates with plastic utensils, but this place offers good value for decent hamburgers and good barbecue.
Eat Sundance Mexican Restaurant
This popular restaurant is one of the only places to get decent Mexican (not New Mexican) food in the area. Reservations are recommended if you plan to go between 5PM and 7PM.
Eat Texas Reds Steakhouse & Saloon
This long-time Red River establishment serves thick steaks and hefty burgers in a casual saloon atmosphere with peanut shells all over the floor. Has the kind of schlocky "ambience" you'd expect from a less-than-famous ski-resort restaurant, but the steaks are good. Dinner 7 days, but may be closed for a while in the spring after the skiing has stopped. Try the buffalo burger.
Sleep
Go next
- Near the village of Questa to the west is the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, a portion of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument that preserves a spectacular section of gorge at the confluence of the Rio Grande with the Red River. The recreation area offers camping, hiking, boating, and swimming.
Nearby
Eagle Nest
City / town · 6 listings · 13 mi away
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Park · 6 listings · 17 mi away
Taos Pueblo
City / town · 20 mi away
Taos
City / town · 49 listings · 23 mi away
Angel Fire
City / town · 9 listings · 23 mi away
Cimarron
City / town · 9 listings · 30 mi away
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Rural area · 3 listings · 49 mi away
Mora
City / town · 5 listings · 51 mi away
My experience
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