The Río Grande is the central artery of New Mexico, spanning nearly 500 miles between the Colorado and Texas state borders. For more than a thousand years, the river has brought together cultures, societies, ecosystems, and economies, forming a complex social-ecological system.
Currently, 90 miles of trail have been developed for public use along the river corridor. The Río Grande Trail is a massive, collaborative project envisioned as New Mexico’s cross-state recreational trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Río Grande Trail is governed by The Río Grande Trail Commission, an entity empowered by the State Legislature to oversee the development of the Río Grande Trail. Actions related to the RGT, such as trail designation, Gateway Community designation, or other policy decisions, must be approved by the Commission. The RGT Commission is supported by the Energy Minerals and Natural Resource Department for the State of New Mexico. The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division supports the project by fostering partnerships, securing funding, promoting the trail’s recreational and economic benefits, and engaging with communities to align the trail’s development with regional priorities and needs.
From evening walks to month-long expeditions, the Río Grande Trail offers a window into the heart and soul of New Mexico and a journey through its exceptional natural and cultural heritage. The first segments of the trail were designated and developed in 2015, and work on new segment development is happening daily. (Explore)
The Río Grande Trail’s development is a collaborative effort. The cross-state trail is only possible due to efforts on the local level. We are always looking to collaborate with eager individual in the Río Grande corridor. Opportunities to get involved in the RGT come and go as projects are started and completed on the ground. Sign up to our quarterly newsletter to stay in the loop.
The Río Grande Trail implementation effort is going into the next round. Now that the Master Plan is complete and the Río Grande Trail Commission established, it is time to implement and designate sections of the trail. In pursuit of the Vision captured in New Mexico’s Río Grande Trail (RGT) Master Plan, landowners, land managers, and other jurisdictional entities are encouraged to develop trail segments that will contribute toward the completion of this continuous statewide recreational facility. We hired a consultant team to facilitate this effort, with stakeholders willing to participate in this voluntary process.
The Commission oversees the trail development by defining the trail alignment, addressing challenges, and proposing features for the trail’s enhancement.
Upcoming Commission Meeting:
Friday April 10th, 2026
9AM – 12PM
Location
TBD – Las Cruces, NM
Contact
As the trail development continues, we would like to grow a community of trail enthusiasts to advocate for the trail’s development together. If you have interest in the Rio Grande Trail development process, or general questions or comments, fill out the form below.
The Rio Grande Trail 