New Mexico · Hiking

Rio Viejo Trail

Rio Viejo TrailPhoto: John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.5 mi
loop
4,513 ft
high point
Loop
route
Easy
difficulty
Mar–Apr, Oct
best months

Clear today

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 10 h ago

Rio Viejo Trail is a short, easy walk of about 1.5 miles on flat ground within Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The trail runs between a low point of about 4,508 feet and a high of about 4,513 feet, so it adds no elevation gain to a trip. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at the refuge show April highs around 78°F and October highs around 79°F, while July and August average highs near 97°F with more wet days. The walk takes about half an hour, and the trail is easy to fit into a longer day. Within a few miles are the Canyon National Recreation Trail, Sparrow Loop and Elmendorf Trail, and the Marsh Overlook Trail.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Apr, Oct

    Best time to visit Rio Viejo Trail

    Best months: March–April and October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      57° / 20°

      2 wet

    2. Feb

      63° / 24°

      2 wet

    3. Mar

      71° / 30°

      2 wet

    4. Apr

      78° / 37°

      2 wet

    5. May

      87° / 45°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      97° / 54°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      97° / 61°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      94° / 59°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      89° / 51°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      79° / 37°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      67° / 27°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      57° / 20°

      3 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bosque Del Apache, NM, 1.1 mi away at 4,512 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors