Red River, New Mexico

In late summer of August 2022, we traveled once again, to beautiful northern New Mexico and stayed at the Angel Fire RV Resort in Angel Fire, New Mexico.  During one of our day adventures we traveled from Taos, New Mexico, to Red River, New Mexico, stopping along the way.  Our first stop was at Eagle Rock Lake just outside of Questa, New Mexico.

Kiva oven outside of church at Questa, NM

Beautiful stained glass windows of St. Anthony's Catholic Church

St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Questa, NM

Old adobe structure at Questa, NM

Eagle Rock Lake Day Use Area on the Carson National Forest is one of the most popular recreations spots in the Questa area.  Spreading across some three acres, it is a hot spot for both locals and visitors for fishing, picnicking, and hiking. The lake was recently completely rebuilt and redesigned.

Sunflower at Fawn Lakes Campground

Moving closer to Red River we make another stop at one of our favorite campgrounds, Fawn Lakes. Fawn Lakes Campground is located in Carson National Forest, one of a few campgrounds located along the scenic canyons of Red River. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring nearby hiking trails.  This campground use to have two or three ponds that were stocked with trout, however, when we visited last we saw that at least one pond had eroded away and was completely dry.  We're hoping the state of New Mexico corrects this problem quickly and brings Fawn Lakes back to life!

Capulin Canyon north of Red River

Red River is a resort town in Taos County, New Mexico, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Red River is located along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, and is 36 miles (58 km) from Taos.  The town is surrounded by majestic mountains and within it are the cutest shops, hotels, restaurants and parks.  Fishing along the Red River is popular but so is renting a Jeep or ATV and exploring a few of the many trails and old mines in the area.

 

Popular honey hole along the Red River

Everyone is friendly in Red River, especially if you have snacks!

Whenever we're in Red River we always stop at one of our favorite saloons, Bull O' the Woods and enjoy their delicious loaded green chili fries!  Bull O' the Woods has been providing Red River’s locals and guests an authentic saloon experience since 1939. Live music, open campfires, a full kitchen, pool, shuffleboard, and the largest selections of beers keeps bringing us back.

After a tasty lunch we headed up Mallette Road and to a part of Red River's Bitter Creek Mining District. Several mines along Bitter Creek can be accessed by heading to Cabresto Road, Forest Road 134, from Questa to the Midnight Mine.  We did not get to explore the area for very long as thunderstorms threatened to cut our time short.  We still had enough time to visit Midnight Meadows and the Edison Mine.

We always have a great time in Red River but after a full day of exploring we were exhausted so we headed back to our home base of Angel Fire, New Mexico.

If you'd like to see more of our adventures in Red River view our video on YouTube and don't forget to like and subscribe!

Create our travel inspired cocktail with this recipe:

Spicy Red River Margarita

Ingredients

2 oz tequila

1 jalapeno, quartered  & seeded

1/2 T kosher salt

1/2 tsp. coarse sugar

1/2 cup ruby red grapefruit juice

1/4 cup simple syrup

Steps 

1. Place tequila and jalapenos in a small bowl. Let stand 2-3 hours. Using water, moisten the rims of four margarita or cocktail glasses. Mix salt and sugar on a plate; hold each glass upside down and dip rim into salt mixture. Set aside. Discard remaining salt mixture on plate. Strain tequila into a small bowl, discarding jalapenos. Stir in grapefruit juice and simple syrup. Serve in prepared glasses over ice.